Slovakian defenseman Martin Fehervary is a rising star at this year’s Olympics. His impressive play and subsequent rise in fame haven’t surprised his Capitals teammates, who watched from afar Wednesday as Slovakia qualified for the semifinals.
The Slovaks dominated a high-powered German squad that features stars like Leon Draisaitl in a 6-2 victory. Fehervary will now have a shot at a medal.
“I still kind of can’t believe we made it to top four,” Fehervary told The Athletic. “Obviously, I believed in our group, but this tournament — NHL players, stars on the other teams — it seems a little bit unreal. I’m just so happy and excited. I never really made it to top four at some big tournament.”
His teammates back in the District weren’t surprised. When they reconvened on Wednesday for their first full practice in nearly two weeks, they were eager to brag about Fehervary’s success.
“It’s no surprise. Hopefully it puts him on the map a little more,” Capitals forward Hendrix LaPierre said after Fehervary led Slovakia with 22 minutes of ice time in their quarterfinal win. “Marty just plays the right way, but he’s not necessarily flashy.”
“I picture a team with 20 Marty’s on it; it’s a pretty good hockey team,” Capitals center Dylan Strome said. “With the way he works and the way he competes, they’re not an easy out.”
The Capitals are taking over the Olympics. On Team Canada, forward Tom Wilson and goaltender Logan Thompson moved into the semifinal with an overtime victory against Czechia.
Wilson, long considered a villain by opposing NHL fanbases, has garnered more support from the hockey-loving world.
“I knew Tom Wilson was highly underrated but watching him play with the best players in the world on Team Canada has made me realize how damn good he is,” the “Avalanche Forever” X account wrote. “Guy is a beast.”
The Capitals alternate captain has skated on Canada’s first line alongside superstars Macklin Celebrini and Connor McDavid. He’s more than held his own.
Wilson, unsurprisingly, leads the Canadians in penalty minutes. But his two-way abilities have impressed. The forward even notched the first confirmed Gordie Howe hat trick in Olympic play when he scored a goal while adding an assist and a fight against France on Sunday.
“If there’s one guy to do it, it’s him. He brings it every night,” LaPierre said. “He does it all, like he does here. It’s fun to watch him get a Gordie Howe.”
The Olympic spirit is not unanimous in the Capitals room. Captain Alex Ovechkin said Wednesday that he hadn’t watched any of the festivities.
His native Russia was barred from the Olympic Games due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. A handful of Russians are competing in individual events like luge, alpine skiing and speed skating, but the notorious Russian hockey teams are absent.
That’s left many discussions of the ongoing tournament to include an asterisk.
“I think it’s great that it’s best-on-best — obviously, minus Russia,” Strome said, referring to the fact that NHL players were forced to skip the last two Olympics.
Because Ovechkin couldn’t play for or cheer on his nation, he’s redirected his focus to the NHL season. The 40-year-old took a vacation during the Olympic break, but is preparing for the Capitals’ final stretch.
Washington has 23 games remaining. The club is currently four points out of a playoff spot.
“We’re in that position where we have to make a push,” Ovechkin said. “We have to play our game, and we have to play smart and collect the points if we want to be in the playoffs.”
The Capitals have a week of practices to tune up for the final stretch. Washington hosts the Philadelphia Flyers next Tuesday.
Before then, the Capitals on the Slovakian and Canadian squads will play in opposite semifinal matches on Friday.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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