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Ovechkin: Celebration not disrespectful

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07:28 AM ET 03.21 | Less than a day after Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin commemorated his 50th goal of the season with a controversial celebration, Coach Bruce Boudreau said he talked to his star player and does not "expect it to happen again." Boudreau did not share the specifics of the brief discussion, but Ovechkin said his coach asked him to explain his actions and warned the reigning MVP about tarnishing his reputation. Ovechkin also said he was unaware of the simmering controversy and did not apologize for dropping his stick near the net and then repeatedly pretending it was too hot to pick up. His antics upset the Tampa Bay Lightning and fans at St. Pete Times Forum, and they ignited an Internet debate among fans split over whether the premeditated celebration was amusing or an expression of poor sportsmanship in a game that has traditionally frowned upon individualism. "Bruce asked me what I mean [by] this," Ovechkin said after practice Friday. "I just have fun. He said people might think I don't respect different team. But I respect everybody. I don't want to show bad things. I show my thing. It was not disrespect."

Washington Post

Alex Ovechkin, Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images Alex Ovechkin, Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

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