Fans of Russia, and of the Washington Capitals are holding their collective breaths as superstar sniper Alex Ovechkin injured his right leg and has left his team’s game at the IIHF World Championships in Minsk. It appears that it is a knee injury, and to make matters worse it was suffered in a near meaningless round-robin game against Germany. The Russians were leading 1-0 at the time.



Gif via Freedoooom

Full credit to Slava Malamud who is all over this story.

Ovechkin is down. Bad. Washington, DC, stop whatever it is you are doing. May be a good idea anyway. #Caps — Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) May 18, 2014

Ovechkin is taken off the ice. Can’t support his own weight. Looks like a knee and it looks terrible. #Caps — Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) May 18, 2014

Ovechkin was taken out by an open-ice hip check that hit him on the left knee. Couldn’t get up. Taken off supported by two people. #Caps — Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) May 18, 2014

Correction, right knee made contact with the opposing player. Whether this was what hurt him, we don’t know yet. Will try to find out more. — Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) May 18, 2014

In a game that Russia really didn’t need and would’ve won anyway, for this to happen. Well, let’s hope it looked worse than it was #Caps — Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) May 18, 2014

Alex Ovechkin has been taken off in an ambulance. Evaluation still pending, but according to inside info, “it’s pretty bad”. #Caps — Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) May 18, 2014

Ovechkin led the NHL in goals this season, taking home the Rocket Richard Trophy with 51. He also added 28 assists. He is a three-time Hart Trophy winner, four-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner, three-time Ted Lindsay Award winner, a Calder Trophy winner, and an Art Ross trophy winner.

Ovechkin won gold with Russia at the 2008 and 2012 World Championships. He also has won a silver and two bronze medals in this tournament.

a different version from @myregularface



Update

Alex Ovechkin is back in the team hotel. Walking on his own, no crutches, but limping. Team doctor says it's "better than expected" #Caps — Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) May 18, 2014

Ovechkin will not be leaving Minsk. The team is mum on diagnosis, but will miss the next game for sure. #Caps — Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) May 18, 2014

For the latest sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.

Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @lastwordBkerr. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.

Interested in writing for LWOS? We are looking for enthusiastic, talented writers to join our Hockey writing team. Visit our ”Write for Us“ page for very easy details in how you can get started today!