Alex Ovechkin saves Russian teammate's smile

Alex_Ovechkin
Photo credit Grant Halverson - Getty Images

While Alex Ovechkin would almost certainly rather be in the chase for the Stanley Cup, he at least gets a chance to represent his native Russia in the International Ice Hockey Federation's World Championship.

Ovi has built a reputation as one of the sharpest shooters of all time, but late last week he also flashed some defense.

That defense likely saved his unsuspecting teammate's teeth, as a shot deflected into the team bench area:

ICYMI: @Ovi8's split-second reflexes transfer into a glove save on the bench to stop the puck landing in Dadonov's face. #IIHFWorlds@russiahockey @capitals pic.twitter.com/Ucy1xnXSyA

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 15, 2019

That's Evgenii Dadonov of the Florida Panthers. He and Ovi combined for three of Russia's 10 goals vs. Italy in the game.

Russia remains atop Group B in the preliminary round, which means there will likely be more Ovi highlights to come.

 

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