Earlier today, Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin took in a KHL game between Dynamo Moscow and Ak Bars Kazan. The game that was interrupted -- much like last week's NHL game between New Jersey and Philadelphia -- when two members of a local soccer supporters club (known in Europe as ultras) set off a pair of military flares inside the arena in Moscow.
After the game was canceled, Sovetsky Sport talked to Ovechkin, who revelaled that he's heading back to DC:
Alex Ovechkin was at the game watching his former team. He said: "I came to visit my ailing grandfather. He is still not feeling any better. That's why the smoking flares are not the most difficult thing in my life right now. I am returning to Washington on Sunday."
After the game Alex Ovechkin spoke some more with Sovetsky Sport. "It's impossible for players to not just play the game under such conditions, it's impossible to be simply out on the ice. I was sitting in the stands and it was impossible to breathe up there. There was a very bitter taste in my mouth and my eyes filled with water. It was an absolutely wise decision to cancel the game. I cannot recall something similar happening in my career. Of course, I respect all fans, but... You cannot behave like this."
If Ovechkin arrives back in DC on Sunday, that means he should be in uniform again in time for Tuesday's visit to Ottawa to play the Senators. Thanks to our friend Dmitry Chesnokov for the quick translation. For the full account of the wild scene at the arena in Moscow, see the text after the jump.
In the meantime, it's only fair to acknowledge that the blog Alex Ovetjkin has been all over this story all day long with pictures and translations. Be sure to check it out.
Dynamo Moscow and Ak Bars Kazan played the shortest game in Russian hockey history. The first intermission lasted 45 minutes instead of 15 before KHL officials called the game off. On the 18th minute of the first period Dynamo Moscow captain Alexei Badyukov scored making the score even at 1-1. But in a few seconds the scoreboard was covered in smoke. There were two military flares ignited by hooligans in the stands. Spectators tried covering their noses with scarves, and players went to their dressing rooms.
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It took the police some time to find the flares still producing smoke on the floor. The police started questioning witnesses right away. "We were unable to find the violators," - a police officer first on the scene said. "But we know that they belong to a radical football [soccer] fans group that has nothing to do with the hockey club."
"Those guys were about four rows above us," - a young lady wearing Dynamo color told Sovetsky Sport. "They ignited the flare, held it for a few seconds and then threw it on the floor to our feet. And no one saw where the guys went because everything was covered in smoke. There were two military flares. It's good that they didn't contain any more harmful chemicals."
Coaches and KHL officials held a meeting to decide what to do. They game had been suspended for 30 minutes by that time. "I personally made the decision to cancel the game," - Sergey Kozlov, KHL's Department of Hockey Operations told Sovetsky Sport. "We did not want to risk players' lives. I spoke to doctors of both teams and the paramedics, and they said they could not guarantee that no harm would be done to the health of everyone inside the arena. And if there is someone with asthma, then the damage could result in death."
It is likely that Dynamo Moscow will be handed a technical loss at tomorrow's special meeting called by the KHL. The team will also have to pay 300 thousand rubles in fines.
Mikhail Golovkov, Dynamo Moscow President, right away apologized for the incident and said that he will accept any punishment handed out by the KHL. Vladimir Vujtek, Dynamo's head coach told Sovetsky Sport: "The ventilation system is not that good at the arena. It's such a shame the game was ended this way. We were looking forward to playing Ak Bars. I wish the result was voided and we replay the match."
"I agree," - Ak Bars captain Alexei Morozov agreed with Vujtek. "We don't need free victories. No team should suffer because of actions of a couple of idiots. Even my friend Alex Ovechkin had to leave his seat in the stands. Now he will tell [everyone] in the NHL what could happen here."
Alex Ovechkin was at the game watching his former team. He said: "I came to visit my ailing grandfather. He is still not feeling any better. That's why the smoking flares are not the most difficult thing in my life right now. I am returning to Washington on Sunday."
After the game Alex Ovechkin spoke some more with Sovetsky Sport. "It's impossible for players to not just play the game under such conditions, it's impossible to be simply out on the ice. I was sitting in the stands and it was impossible to breathe up there. There was a very bitter taste in my mouth and my eyes filled with water. It was an absolutely wise decision to cancel the game. I cannot recall something similar happening in my career. Of course, I respect all fans, but... You cannot behave like this."
This is a second time in Russian hockey history that flares were ignited during games. Two seasons ago Traktor Chelyabinsk fans ignited a flare at the game vs. Salavat Yulaef. The game was suspended for 40 minutes until the smoke cleared. But the game resumed.
Ovechkin to Return to Washington on Sunday originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on 2008-10-30T17:52:00+00:00. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
