St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington drew the ire of hockey fans after he shoved the puck from Alex Ovechkin’s 900th career goal into his pants on Wednesday night. Binnington insisted on Thursday that he intended to return the souvenir.
The Capitals went on to win 6-1 in front of the home crowd. Officials reunited Washington’s captain with the puck — Ovechkin posed with it in a celebration after the game.
“Yeah, I figured I basically had an assist on the goal there, turning the puck over. Didn’t think he’d mind sharing it,” Binnington jokingly told reporters on Thursday. “I had full intention to give it back to him.”
Ovechkin didn’t seem to enjoy the joke.
“I just saw it,” the Russian said Wednesday after becoming the first NHL player to reach the 900-goal milestone. “I’m not going to comment.”
Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson, a fellow Canadian, gave his countryman the benefit of the doubt.
“I was just so happy that O got it,” said Thompson, who leads the NHL in goals allowed per game. “I don’t know, maybe he was trying to grab it to give it to him. Who knows?”
Binnington showered praise on Ovechkin’s goal, noting that the 40-year-old “continues to impress.”
“Full intention to give [the puck] back,” he said. “He’s a legendary, inspirational player for the game and for the league. It’s a good moment for him and their team.”
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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