Cherry lashes out

Comments against Ovechkin are purely ridiculous

It doesn't take an expert to tell you that Don Cherry isn't your average joe. Nor does it take one to tell you that Alex Ovechkin is a big-time star in the NHL. This is just common, normal, everyday knowledge.

One may find it strange, however, that recently, the costume-wearing Canadian broadcaster took the liberty of blasting the Capitals' star player.

For those of you who haven't seen the video, it goes something like this: Clips are shown of soccer celebrations, followed by Alex Ovechkin goal celebrations. Cherry's basic analysis is that Ovechkin is doing wrong by following in the soccer players' footsteps.

This is pure nonsense.

First of all, Cherry shouldn't be blasting the game of soccer without reason. You can bet that soccer fans aren't pleased at hearing this.

Secondly, it's idiotic to single out Ovechkin. Take note that Canadian Sidney Crosby isn't exactly well behaved. A regular whiner, the Pittsburgh Penguin has never been what one would define as a model player.

But Cherry doesn't dare attack his fellow Canadian, who gets the free pass.

But the biggest reason Cherry is being unreasonable is that Ovechkin is doing no harm to the game.

You think fans groan when the see him jump against the glass? Of course not, they enjoy it. What Cherry needs to realize is that Ovechkin is just having some fun. There is nothing wrong with having charisma and pleasing fans.

Ovechkin is a bit cocky a times, but he is by no means arrogant. Ovechkin's celebrations are his way of saying that he loves the game. He is doing nothing but simply enjoying himself.

Cherry is lashing out only because of jealousy. He's angry that Crosby no longer holds the crown for the NHL's top player. One can argue against that, but keep in mind that Ovechkin's been celebrating this way for years, but hasn't started dominating the game until recently.

Cherry (and Crosby for that matter) ought to keep his mouth shut and accept that Russians are now dominating the game.

The video only gets worse. Cherry follows up saying that he thinks (or, I as see it, hopes) that one day a defenseman will demolish OV.

Basically he is saying that Ovechkin shouldn't be celebrating since there are plenty of defensemen capable of cleaning his clock.

And that's where the irony kicks in.

If Sidney Crosby gets checked, he'll often lie flat on the ice for a period of time. He is by no means a tough player.

Ovechkin, on the other hand, often simply bounces up when hit. He has a reputation for being one of the NHL's toughest players.

But enough about toughness. The point is simple: No one should be complaining about Ovechkin's goal celebrations.

Is Ovechkin harming the game? Heck no. In fact his actions are energizing fans and bringing the fun back into the NHL. His celebrations make people happy. It's been a while since fans have enjoyed the game of hockey this much.

Why is that a bad thing?

I said it before and I'll say it again: There's nothing wrong with having fun.

And that's all Ovechkin is trying to do.