Page 18 - ARUBA TODAY

A18 SPORTS
Friday 12 May 2017
Caps’ Alex Ovechkin finished playoffs with lower-body injury

STEPHEN WHYNO briefly left late in the first night and Ovechkin played
AP Hockey Writer period Game 5 of the first the seventh-most of any
Russian hockey officials round after clutching his forward at even strength,
announced Thursday that knee following a hit from Trotz demurred on a ques-
Capitals superstar Alex Toronto’s Nazem Kadri, re- tion about his 31-year-old
Ovechkin played through turning for the start of the captain’s play.
injury before Washington second. “Emotionally right now, I
was eliminated from the Ovechkin said after that don’t want to answer that
NHL playoffs in the second game April 21 he was not question,” Trotz said after
round by the Pittsburgh worried about his knee the 2-0 loss. “We win and
Penguins. and “just needed a little lose as a team. That’s prob-
Ovechkin finished the play- break.” NHL teams are not ably my best answer right
offs dealing with a lower- required to disclose injury now. Emotionally, I don’t
body injury that required details, typically referring to think I want to answer that
pain-numbing injections, them only as upper- or low- question at all.”
the Russian Hockey Fed- er-body problems, which Ovechkin has played at
eration said in noting that made Ottawa captain the world championships
Ovechkin would not be Erik Karlsson’s admission 12 previous times, including
able to play for Russia at of playing with two hair- in 2013 when he finished
the world championships line fractures in one of his the playoffs with a hairline
in Europe because of it. A feet so stunning as it came fracture in his foot.
person with direct knowl- while the Senators were still Russia also said Capitals
edge of the situation con- playing. center Evgeny Kuznetsov
firmed the injury and treat- An odd lineup midway and defenseman Dmi-
ment to The Associated through the second round try Orlov would play at
Press on condition of ano- against Pittsburgh could the world championships,
nymity because the team make more sense now. which are going on in Paris
hadn’t announced it. Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, Trotz moved Ovechkin and Cologne, Germany.
Ovechkin never let on that pushes Pittsburgh Penguins center Jake Guentzel (59) into the to the third line before Kuznetsov and Orlov are
he was playing hurt. He boards during the first period of Game 2 in an NHL hockey Stan- Game 5, slightly reducing restricted free agents who
ley Cup second-round playoff series, Saturday, April 29, 2017, in
had five goals and three Washington. his ice time and calling it a need NHL contracts for
assists in 13 playoff games Associated Press chance to spread out his next season, something
as the Capitals flamed out offense and not a demo- that often leads players to
again, eliminated in seven Trotz is expected to address It was not immediately tion. After the Capitals were decline an invitation to play
games by the defend- all team injuries at his post- clear when Ovechkin was eliminated on Wednesday for their national team.q
ing Stanley Cup-champi- season news conference injured or how severely. He
on Penguins . Coach Barry Friday. did not miss a game but
Galaxy defender Robbie

Rogers out for season

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LA started in 19 games last
Galaxy defender Robbie season, in addition to the
Rogers won’t be playing Galaxy’s playoff matches.
this season. Overall, Rogers has played
The 10-year Major League in 184 career MLS matches,
Soccer veteran had sur- including 78 with the Gal-
gery in December to treat axy. He’s been on two MLS
nerve damage in his left Cup championship teams,
foot and had not played with the Columbus Crew
this year. in 2008 and the Galaxy in
The Galaxy announced 2014.
Thursday that he won’t re- Rogers has been with the
turn this season.
The 29-year-old Rogers Galaxy since May 2013.q