As always, many thanks to our friend Dmitry Chesnokov for translating and passing on the following.

As a result of a poll conducted by "Sport" [Russia's public sports channel] and Sovetsky Sport [Russia's largest newspaper], Washington Capitals and Russian national team forward Alexander Ovechkin was named Athlete of the Month in April. Alex received 51.4% of the vote, overtaking Evgeni Malkin who received 48.6%. This interview Alexander Ovechkin gave to Pavel Lysenkov and Vitaly Slavin of Sovetsky Sport in Hotel Concorde two hours after the end of the Russia-Sweden game [3:2], where Alex the Great scored the game winner.

I WOULD START BEATING THE SWEDE TOO

Honestly, we did not expect Ovechkin to give a candid interview. Right after the game Ovechkin entered the mixed-zone [you all know that access to players in the NHL is way better than the IIHF regulations], but he looked so tired that he only gave interviews to TV crews. When Ovechkin saw dozens of print media reporters, he sighed and went back to the locker room. Such incidents are very rare for Ovechkin, who always finds time to talk to the media.

What saved us at Sovetsky Sport was that a day before Alex promised to give us an interview. And he always keeps his word.

Are you getting ready to go out for dinner? Let us wait for you at the hotel.

"No, let me wait for you," -- Ovechkin replied. "How much time do you need? Twenty minutes? Let's sit down right here then, on this couch, and talk.

Congratulations on becoming Athlete of the Month!

"Thank you, fans. But I would give it to Evgeni Malkin. He is still in the playoffs carrying Pittsburgh on his back. In my spare time I watch the Stanley Cup playoffs, and I am happy about the way Malkin is playing. What a goal he scored against Philadelphia! He was hit, but still made it and slapped one behind Biron… I stand by my prediction that the Penguins will win the Cup this year."

And what will you say about the game against Sweden?

"That the Swedes played very dirty in the first period and did not give us a chance to play our game. They started hitting us right away. As a result, we lost Morozov due to injury, and then Kovalchuk for fighting. Kovy was absolutely right when he stood up for his captain. If I were him, I would also show my fists to the Swede.

I was very surprised that Ilya got a game penalty. Why? Kovalchuk didn't even drop his gloves. If he did drop his gloves, only bits and pieces would be left of the Swede… I also think that Sweden intentionally went for this exchange -- sacrificed this Murray (sp?) to injure our captain and rid us of our best scorer."

Did you miss Morozov on the ice?

"We were left with only 6 wingers instead of 8. All the other guys had to work more. But Nabokov played very well and saved us."

Was it hard for you?

"For me personally, no. I played every other shift. Same way I play in Washington."

Do you think Murray did it on purpose?

"I am absolutely sure. The puck was nowhere near. Morozov was turning trying to get back into his own zone, but was hit."

After that you started playing very physical…

"I started playing very physical. And I didn't care whether I get a game misconduct penalty or 2+10. I was very angry that the Swedes cowardly rid us of two players."

But if you had got a game misconduct, our team would have been without our third leader!

"I didn't think about it at the time. My mind was fixed on hitting someone and splashing them across the boards."