Normally I'm not one to drone on about hockey, but Alex Ovechkin is deserving of some serious love. Washington's ~~franchise player~~ franchise reached a key milestone while leading the Capitals to within a point of the final playoff spot. I'm not sure I'm qualified to tell you the details, so I'll let the AP take it away...

Alex Ovechkin became the NHL's first 60-goal scorer in 12 years by netting two Friday night in the Washington Capitals' comeback 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers.

Ovechkin beat goalie Kari Lehtonen in the first period and then brought the Capitals within 3-2 at 11:30 of the third period with his 60th.

No one in the NHL had hit the mark since the 1995-96 season when Pittsburgh's Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr both did it. Ovechkin's previous best was 52 goals, accomplished in his rookie season of 2005-06.

Good lord, even other Fins think Kari Lehtonen is a girly name.

On Frozen Blog haus the official congratulatory video from the Capitals.

Ovechkin's 60th Goal Helps Capitals Win

10:50 AM on Sat Mar 22 2008
By Unsilent Majority
3,363 views
19 comments

Comments

Illegal Immigrant at 11:07 AM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*

I'm still undecided on whether Ovie's girl is hot. Right now I'm distracted about how sad it is that the Caps have a 60-goal scorer and could still miss the playoffs
Larry Bird Flu at 11:07 AM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*

The real question is whether Carlos Rogers goes to the Verizon Center for any Caps games, or only for the Wiz.
I Party With 33765-183 at 11:08 AM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 91

...and my man crush continues.
Larry Bird Flu at 11:09 AM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*

I'm just glad that Backstrom scored those 2 goals late, and managed to put both of them into the correct goal.
Unsilent Majority at 11:11 AM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 174

@Larry Bird Flu: only the Wiz. But it's been a while.
UkraineNotWeak at 11:29 AM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 484

I remember when 60 goal seasons were a normal occurrence. The NHL of the 70s and 80s was great.
the-Bored at 11:30 AM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*

Yes, dude. /obligatory
Sarcastro at 11:45 AM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 235

@UkraineNotWeak: Do you happen to remember the name of the worst 50+ goal scorer in NHL history?

Yes, the Penguins' Rob Brown. Lemieux used to bounce pucks off Brown's rump into the net to entertain himself.
7-8 Deville at 11:46 AM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*

Fins think Kari Lehtonen is a girly name, but have no problems with Ima Broad.
Larry Bird Flu at 11:50 AM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*

@Unsilent Majority: I just assumed he sleeps in Leonsis's box during the offseason.
hutchirish at 11:51 AM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*

Who knew that Jordache jeans were back in style?
The Joy of Cesc at 12:05 PM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*

Everyone should strive to emulate Pavel Bure.
Unsilent Majority at 12:10 PM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 174

@The Joy of Cesc: but not his sister, Valeri
TheStarterWife at 12:15 PM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 409

@Sarcastro: Ah, but Rob Brown was the highest scorer with the young female hockey set,

60 goals and 106 points. Malkin has 99 points... (just pointing it out because Caps fans happiness goes against all I know.)
Steve Trachsel, Ace at 12:30 PM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 233

@TheStarterWife: yeah, but AO's got that sweet Hair Cuttery endorsement deal..
UkraineNotWeak at 01:02 PM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*
Connectedness Index: 484

Dennis Maruk once scored 60 in a season.

DENNIS MARUK!!!
WadeBoggsNeverWalkedAgain at 01:27 PM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*

@hutchirish: Well if my knowledge of Eastern European stereotypes learned from watching American movies is correct, everything that was popular here 15 years ago is popular in Russia today.
WadeBoggsNeverWalkedAgain at 01:28 PM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*

Also, his mail-order bride is hot as hell.
Larry Bird Flu at 02:38 PM on 03/22/08
Reply by Email
*

@UkraineNotWeak: I was on the front page of the Washington Post sports section when I was about 4-5 years old, getting Maruk's autograph. Not sure how far back you go, but they used to let fans on the ice after the last home game of the season and the players would come around and sign. Mostly because they were never preparing for the playoffs.