Commentator describes two entire games without using Ovechkin's name
Alex Ovechkin is one of the most well-known and beloved players in the NHL. His stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, however, has changed his superstar aura.
In this regard, Finnish commentator Tero Kainulainen, who describes games in his native Finland, recently had the task of describing the Washington Capitals games. In those two games, he never once mentioned the name of Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin.
Kainulainen claims that he did so as a form of silent protest against Russia's attack on Ukraine and in response to Ovechkin's relative silence on the matter.
Ovechkin, of course, is considered by many to be the most visible and popular athlete in all of Russia, and his relative silence on the subject of the war in Ukraine has been seen as problematic by many fans and analysts.
You may be wondering what Kainulainen did when Ovechkin had the puck or made a play worth commenting on? Well, he called the game as he normally would, but used terms like "Capitals captain" and "gray beard" to describe Ovechkin rather than calling him by name.
Kainulainen explains that the act is primarily symbolic and, of course, not intended to end the war or even force Ovechkin to stand up and finally take a stand. On the contrary, the purpose of Kainulainen's silent protest was to bring back the awareness of what is happening in Ukraine without making a big gesture or an empty statement.
Via HF
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Did the Finnish commentator Tero Kainulainen do the right thing? | ||
| Yes | 44 | 54.3 % |
| No | 37 | 45.7 % |
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