Matvei Michkov Let His Nuts Hang And Was The Best Russian On The Ice While Playing Against Ovechkin
Icon Sportswire. Getty Images.The Flyers lost their 6th straight game last night. Don't care, nobody gives a shit. This Flyers season isn't about wins and losses, it's about watching this sick little Russian bastard prove to the world that he's a superstar and is going to be one of the most menacing forces in the NHL for years to come. So all things considered, last night was a resounding win for the Flyers.
It was the summer of 2004. Alexander Ovechkin was the 1st overall pick int he NHL Draft, with everyone knowing that a superstar was coming to America from Mother Russia. A few months later, Matvei Michkov was born.
All Michkov has ever known was a world where Alexander Ovechkin was the greatest goal scorer on the planet. His entire life has coincided with Ovechkin's career. And for the first time in his career, he had a chance to play against The Great 8 in a back-to-back on Tuesday and Wednesday night. The first game was absolute fucking garbage out of the Flyers, but Michkov had an assist on the Flyers only goal of the night.
Last night was a little better. Sure, the Flyers dug themselves into a 0-4 hole to start the game. But then they finally started to show a little fight toward the end of the 2nd period. It all started with this powerplay SNIIIIIIIPE from Travis Konecny.
Watch how Michkov surveys, constantly flips his hips to look like a threat to shoot the puck, which then drags the Caps' penalty killers away from Travis Konecny, and then Michkov makes the right decision to give TK plenty of time and space to let this one rip. Another assist for the Russian Prince.
The Flyers made it a 4-2 game before the end of the 2nd period, and then in the 3rd is where things got really interesting.
Almost the exact same movements as when he set up the Konecny goal, only this time Michkov lets it fly himself. Great work by Couturier on the screen in front, great work by Michkov on that shot that had eyes for the corner, and GREAT work by the TNT camera crew to pan over to Ovechkin on the Washington bench after the goal.
Advertisement
But it wasn't just the goal and assist out of Michkov last night. The kid was playing with some bite in his game. He's a competitive little fucker, and he has that edge to his game which superstars need to make sure they don't get pushed around out there.
I don't know if he had any extra adrenaline going because he knows Ovechkin is watching just 15 feet away. I'm sure he was trying to prove himself in front of Ovi all night, and that he is worthy of being called the best Russian prospect to come into the league since 8. But I also think that's just Michkov's game. He's so competitive, and he constantly wants to prove he's the best player on the ice. And considering he's still brushing up on his English, he doesn't have many ways to bark back besides getting in guys' faces.
But in 2 straight games against the Caps, Matvei Michkov was clearly the most noticeable Russian out on the ice. Ovechkin was able to get 1 goal closer to breaking Gretzky's record with an empty netter at the end last night, but Michkov was everywhere. Always looking to create every chance he gets. Granted, Ovi's game is a little different now that he's 39. He's just trying to conserve as much energy as possible to keep this chase of Gretzky's record going.
Still had plenty of gas left in the tank to get to that loose puck, though. Great 25-30 minutes from the Flyers last night. They had every opportunity in the world to tie that game up at 4-4. But at the end of the day, the hole was too deep to get themselves out of. 6 straight losses, and we're now one game closer to drafting Porter Martone or Anton Frondell.