"Ilya and Sourdif kicked off the antics with Ovi's hot stick celly, performing it after five-year-old Ilya scored a goal. Sourdif was just six when the elder Ovechkin debuted the hot stick in March 2009, but he grew up a Capitals fan, cheering for Ovi from his hometown in Surrey, British Columbia. Nearly seventeen years later, Sourdif helped demonstrate the now-famous move to his childhood idol's son."
"Sergei scored a goal of his own before skating away from the net and diving on his stomach, mirroring the belly flop that followed his father's record-breaking 895th NHL goal last spring. Unlike the premeditated hot stick, Ovechkin's belly flop - since immortalized on rally towels, shirts, pucks, and more - was a happy accident."
"Ovechkin's children have spent plenty of time on Capitals ice this season, especially as their father approaches what could be the end of his career. In November, both Sergei and Ilya took part in warmups at Capital One Arena ahead of a ceremony celebrating Ovechkin's 900th goal and 1,500th game played."
Alex Ovechkin invited his two sons, Sergei and Ilya, to join him on the ice for a post-practice skate at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia. Several Capitals teammates participated, including Aliaksei Protas, Tom Wilson, Justin Sourdif, Dylan Strome, and Anthony Beauvillier. Beyond standard skill development, the Ovechkin children practiced their father's most famous goal celebrations. Five-year-old Ilya performed the hot stick celebration with Sourdif's assistance, a move Ovechkin debuted in 2009. Sergei replicated the belly flop celebration, mimicking the spontaneous move that followed his father's record-breaking 895th NHL goal. The children have been increasingly present at Capitals events this season as Ovechkin approaches the potential end of his career.
Read at RMNB
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