Just three games after their bye week concluded, the Capitals are enduring another long stretch between games (three days).
Tuesday morning, Caps head coach Barry Trotz got creative to keep his team’s competitiveness up. Trotz created hockey’s version of the Oklahoma drill, having his players scrimmage on a tiny slice of ice at Kettler. The mini ice sheet was set up in the right circle had two goals approximately 20 feet away from each other.
According to NBC Washington’s Tarik El-Bashir, the mini-scrimmage went into double overtime and was settled in a Very Serious shootout by Alex Ovechkin.
After hockey’s version the Oklahoma Drill went to double-OT, Ovechkin settled it in a hilarious (mini) shootout at #Caps practice on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/BD50mcHz4G
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) January 23, 2018
The top six (red) didn’t want the puck rolling or bouncing on Ovechkin’s attempt so TJ Oshie made like a Human Zamboni and dove across the ice twice to make it as smooth as possible. Meanwhile Ovechkin swung his stick side-to-side to rid his path of any annoying ice particles.
A member of the bottom six also cleaned the ice with his stick. Ovechkin gave the player a slap on the arse as if to say Hey, don’t steal our brilliant idea over here.
Ovechkin scored on his attempt and ran into the arms of a celebrating top six group.
The bottom six’s Brett Connolly had a chance to keep the shootout going, but was denied.
Connolly had a chance to extend the shootout but was denied, setting off another celebration. #Caps pic.twitter.com/kZO1Ujtzj7
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️🎙🏒 (@TarikNBCS) January 23, 2018
The top six celebrated again, huddling over the goaltender and jumping up and down like kids on Christmas.
The Caps have lost four of their last five games, but it seems like their psyches remain okay.
Media: @TarikNBCS
