Alex Ovechkin Gives Trent Frederic A Brutal Low Blow

The Washington Capitals defeated the Boston Bruins 2-1 in a shootout last night. Although it was a low shooting and slow offensive game, there were many highlights. Alexander Ovechkin and Trent Frederic became well acquainted, which resulted in tempers boiling over. Ovi administered the hardest cup check anyone has ever seen.

Frederic is a young rookie who is quickly making a name for himself. He dropped the gloves with Tom Wilson last month, but this time he tried to fight Ovechkin. Frederic buried his head and dropped his gloves, but Ovechkin did not oblige. After this incident, Ovechkin could be heard from the bench hurling chirps and profanities. It's generally unacceptable to engage a player after declining a fight, but this is Ovechkin's league and Frederic is just playing it in.

An encounter between the two players occurred later in the game, where Ovechkin lifted his stick as hard as he could into the groin of Frederic. They received off-setting minor penalties, but Ovi should probably have received missed the remainder of the game with a spearing penalty. At the very least, the Bruins should have received a power play. Frederic may have been a pest on the ice, but Ovi's "slash" was certainly above and beyond. Don't be surprised if the NHL Department of Player Safety fines him.

Ovechkin very fortunate that this ends up as off-setting minors for "roughing". If officials deemed it a spear, would be missing the rest of this game pic.twitter.com/euy0jsOGnZ
— NHL Safety Watch (@NHLSafetyWatch) March 4, 2021

Trent Frederic vs. Alex Ovechkin this evening: a story told in three parts pic.twitter.com/L8jK4BFVwi
— Snipe N’ Celly (@SnipeNCellyPod) March 4, 2021