RUSSIA AT THE OLYMPICS: Ice Hockey: Crosby-Ovechkin rivalry hits new level

Vancouver (AFP) - Canada's Sidney Crosby and Russia's Alex Ovechkin, the National Hockey League's two top stars, carry their heated personal rivalry into the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games and a possible showdown for gold. As the best playmakers on favored teams with tremendous hockey history, the Olympic focus would be on "Alex the Great" and "Sid the Kid" anyway, but their own competitive fire and history ensure electricity if Russia and Canada meet. "Our games can speak for themselves," Crosby said. "He's a great player. It's always a tough battle." Ovechkin, 24, is a gap-toothed magician with a stick whose solo moves for the NHL's Washington Capitals are often spectacular. Passes to Olympic teammate Alexander Semin or Sweden's Nicklas Backstrom are often eye-popping as well. Crosby, 22, is having the greatest goal-scoring season of his NHL career after being known for his work as a set-up man. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain inherited the mantle of Canadian hockey's top star from legend Wayne Gretzky. There's no guarantee Russia and Canada will meet at Vancouver because they are in opposite round-robin groups. If they meet in the medal knockout rounds, it promises to be an epic to command the world's attention. Ovechkin was the NHL's top draft pick in 2004 when a labour dispute wiped out the entire season. Crosby was the top pick in 2005 and he helped the Penguins escape financial troubles and win the Stanley Cup in 2009. "I'm always jealous of people who win the Cup," Ovechkin said earlier this month. "But I hope this year it's going to be us." Ovechkin signed a 13-year contract extension worth 124 million dollars in early 2008. Crosby signed a five-year extension worth 43.5 million dollars in 2007, 8.7 million a year for a man born in 1987 who wears jersey number 87. Crosby won the 2007 NHL scoring crown and Most Valuable Player honors. "Ovie" won the 2008 and 2009 Most Valuable Player award and the 2008 scoring crown. The Canada-Russia rivalry pre-dates the latest superstars, its roots firmly in the 1972 Summit Series won by Canada over the Soviet Union but only on a last-minute goal in the final game. Ovechkin is not afraid to deliver a hit or to respond when he takes one. He suffered a broken nose early in a game against Montreal and answered with four goals, including an over-time game winner. Ovechkin is also flashy and flamboyant, slamming himself into the plexiglass to celebrate goals. "Some people like it. Some don't," Crosby said. "Personally, I don't." Ovechkin has criticized Crosby as talking too much while both have tried to stress team aspects of their rivalry. Ovechkin led the Russians to the 2003 world junior crown in Canada but two years later in the United States, Canada ripped Russia 6-1 in the final and sent Ovechkin out of the game with a shoulder injury. While Ovechkin led Russia to a world title in 2008 after the Capitals were ousted in round one of the NHL playoffs, Crosby guided Pittsburgh to the Stanley Cup finals. Last year, the Penguins eliminated Washington in the second round of the playoffs on their way to taking the Cup. When Pittsburgh visited Washington a week ago, Crosby scored twice to put the Penguins on top and match Ovechkin for the NHL goals lead at 39. Ovechkin answered with three goals and rallied the Capitals to victory.

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