Ovechkin’s “This is SportsCenter” Commercial Among Top 10

Apr 23, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) watches from the bench against the Winnipeg Jets in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 5-3 and clinched the Southeast Division championship. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Fantastic news, ladies and gents, Ovechkin is finally getting the credit he deserves. No, it’s not another Hart, and unfortunately it’s not a Conn Smythe… But it’s pretty much just as good. Ovie’s SportsCenter commercial from years back is ranked in the top 10 of all ESPN’s famous commercials.

(Source: http://capitals.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=679335)

The advertisement itself is actually really good, I think, and I’m comfortable with calling anyone who disagrees a blind hater. The commercial is simple and creative. It’s of Steve Levy, and ESPN anchor and hockey aficionado, walking in on Ovechkin doing some “late-night filings.” He jokes and calls Ovie a russian spy, Ovie laughs it off, then converses with Semyon Varlamov in russian before repelling up through the roof to get away.

Some “This is SportsCenter” commercials try to do too much, and others aren’t as good because some of the chosen athletes aren’t that funny. Ovechkin works perfectly in this ad because of how it takes advantage of his hard russian accent and general awkwardness. He’s not trying to be funny, but he is funny.

In all, this is just another feather in Ovie’s cap. Hopefully at the end of his career we are watching his playoff highlights instead of his commercials, though. But make no mistake, this is excellent news during the dog days of summer.