‘Alex Ovechkin’s Diving Tactic Is Embarrassing The Game’ – Ryan Getzlaf

Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin is no stranger to controversy. The Capitals captain has recently drawn the ire of some players and coaches for his unnecessary flopping tactics which was the subject of the rant of Anaheim captain Ryan Getzlaf who said that Ovechkin’s diving strategy is “embarrassing the sport.”

“I didn’t know he was going to dive tonight the way he did all over the [expletive] ice. That part of it’s a little [more] embarrassing, pardon my language,” Getzlaf told the LA Times after his team lost to the Capitals, 5-3.

The Russian professional player Ovechkin placed his stamp all over that game, scoring on two goals for the season leading 35th and 36th goals and on top of that assisting on two other plays to seal the win. During the first period he figured in a slashing incident with Getzlaf that drew the post-game comments of the Ducks captain. Getzlaf is stressing that his 29-year-old opponent is taking diving to higher level just to be awarded with a penalty shot.

This is the second time that Russian professional hockey player has been cited by his peers for unnecessary diving just to gain an advantage. During the Oct. 9, 2014 game against the Montreal Canadiens, Ovechkin fell to the ground with minimal stick contact from P.K. Subban who was stunned with the call and the awarding of the power play to the Capitals. Watch the footage of the video below:

(Youtube/SomeHabsVideos)

The encounter between Ovechkin and Getzlaf had more contact but still the Canadian Getzlaf took much offense on the way Ovechkin sold the call. Ironically, Capitals coach Barry Trotz just recently accused 21-year-old Vincent Trocheck of the Florida Panthers of mixing acting with diving to get the penalty call from the referee.

In the Jan 4. game between the Panthers and the Capitals, Trocheck skated by defenseman Brooks Orpik initiated contact and fell to the floor as if selling a lot of contact which the referee bought. Coach Trottz immediately pointed out to the said play as black eye on the integrity of hockey and said that “diving is becoming a problem” and that the league must address it real soon.

With his ward and captain in the centre of yet another diving allegation, coach Trottz who has been a vocal critic of the tactic has yet to comment on the issue. Watch below the diving incident between Ovechkin and Getzlaf and decide for yourself if the contact warranted a power play:

(Youtube/SomeHockeyVideos)

For concerns on this story, contact the author at v.hidalgo@ibtimes.com.au.