Captain Alex Ovechkin hadn’t opened practice with a hot lap since Game 6 of the semifinals, when they eliminated the Penguins in Pittsburgh. But after a Game 5 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, it was time for a new skater before Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.
As is tradition, the team switched up the skater taking the first lap after a road loss. 55-year-old head coach, Barry Trotz, was the man chosen for the hot lap.
“We had to change. We lost here last time,” Trotz said after practice. “I look at it real simply: They called my number. At this time of year, you’re all-in. I was ready.”
The biggest question entering the morning skate has been answered: #Caps Coach Barry Trotz took the hot lap, replacing Alex Ovechkin after a Game 5 loss here in Tampa. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/UaEdwU5YI6
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) May 23, 2018
Of course the fans had some fun with the old man taking the hot lap. Check out some of the funnier tweets below:
Dude's got some wheels!
— Jason Rogers (@HeyJayJRogers) May 23, 2018
At least a lukewarm lap. Great move Coach. The team is having it's greatest postseason and so are you. Congratulations. CUPCRAZY in my 44th year of being a Caps fan.
— bigdog (@bigdoggmc) May 23, 2018
Man can move!
— Hyper1LE (@Hyper1LE) May 23, 2018
If that doesn’t fire them up….
— Julie Knowles (@jkno19) May 23, 2018
And, yes, Trotz almost bit it at the end. Haha.
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) May 23, 2018
