Skip to content
left arrow Back right arrow NCAAB right arrow The Weekend Wrap-Up: Ovechkin Is GR8, and the March Madness Final Is Set

NCAAB | Apr 07

The Weekend Wrap-Up: Ovechkin Is GR8, and the March Madness Final Is Set

Perry Petty Perry Petty
- 6 minutes read
The Weekend Wrap-Up: Ovechkin Is GR8, and the March Madness Final Is Set
Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals | Bruce Bennett/Getty Images/AFP

NHL, Islanders Get It Right 🏒

Ovechkin has usurped The Great One when it comes to lighting the lamp.

There are all sorts of sports ongoing in April. It is rare in any instance when the NHL takes center stage under any circumstances, let alone with the sports carousel in full swing. That happened on Sunday at UBS Arena when the New York Islanders played host to the Washington Capitals at UBS Arena.

Secondary ticket prices soared – then plummeted as the puck drop neared – because Alex Ovechkin needed one goal to pass Wayne Gretzky as the greatest goal-scorer in NHL history.

In the second period, with the Caps on the power play, the Great 8 whipped a shot past Ilya Sorokin. In NHL news, that was goal No. 895, one more than Gretzky scored in his career. Talk about synergy: Gretzky played in 1,487 NHL games, and Ovechkin’s record tally came in his 1,487th.

When it comes to NHL stats, Ovechkin won’t catch Gretzky, who had more than 2,800 points in his career. However, Ovechkin has usurped The Great One when it comes to lighting the lamp.

Special mention goes to the Islanders and NHL for stopping the game and putting on a wonderful ceremony to celebrate the moment. It could not have been easy for a home team still trying to scramble for the playoffs to pause the game for a long ceremony. In typical NHL fashion, every Islander player shook Ovechkin’s hand after the moment. It was well-played all around.

There was a video where greats from all sports celebrated the accomplishment.

All Is Right in Women’s Basketball: UConn Wins

It had been since 2016 that the Huskies won a national championship. On Sunday, they had to dethrone South Carolina, and dethrone the Gamecocks they did. Paige Bueckers got her championship and UConn is the first team to win 12 NCAA women’s championships.

It was easy to understand why people resented Geno Auriemma and his program when it was dominating. However, women’s college basketball grew – in large part because of UConn’s success – and the Huskies would win a ton of games, advance in the tournament but were unable to win it all.

Against South Carolina, they put on a classic performance. The final score was 82-59, but the game was not that close. It was a masterpiece in defense and scoring at will in the pain against a great team coached by Dawn Staley.

Afterward, Auriemma spoke about his love for Bueckers, who overcame multiple season-ending injuries to excel in 2024-25. He also discussed how the team came together after a game against Tennessee. The coach can be acerbic and sarcastic, but after the championship win, he was emotional and appreciative. It’s not something you take for granted, and Auriemma knows that.

Houston, Florida Vie for NCAA Men’s Title

Houston made a magical comeback against Duke in a national semifinal on Saturday to gain the championship game against Florida.

Predictably, there was joy in those who savor the Blue Devils losing. The problem with this go-round is there was no reason to dislike this Duke team. It played hard, wasn’t arrogant, and hustled its way to the national semifinal.

Yes, what will be remembered will be the collapse against Houston. One field goal in the last 10-plus minutes. Even when faced with that crushing loss, nothing embarrassing or harsh presented itself. It’s a new era in Duke basketball under Jon Scheyer. Maybe it’s time to bury the hate and appreciate it.

The NCAAB rumors will start about Cooper Flagg turning pro. There are other elite freshmen who could also be one-and-done. With the advent of NIL and its millions, anything is possible. Will this Duke team look the same next year? Unlikely, but it was one that was enjoyable to watch.

On Monday, Houston will have to recoup all the energy it spent in the comeback against Duke. That’s not going to be easy against a dazzling Florida squad that is favored by a point in NCAAB betting odds.

Will the Cougars be able to bounce back, or will the team from NCAAB’s best conference rule? We’ll know by Monday night.

 

Pirates Cover Roberto Clemene Tribute With an AD

Talk about not understanding how to read the room, or in this case PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates have covered a tribute of the No. 21 to their great outfielder, Roberto Clemente, with an ad this season.

No one who owns a baseball franchise can be so callous and need the money to obliterate an honor to a memory of a late, great player. Boo, Buccos management and ownership.

The star’s late son released a statement about the decision.

Rapid Fire

The Rizzler Threw Out the First Pitch

The Rizzler threw out a first pitch today at Citi Field.

Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair Beef

With Wrestlemania approaching, things turned nasty between Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair.

Power Duo

Sydney Sweeney had a dinner date with Emily Ratajkowski.

Related Articles

Hot Pockets: College Hoops Star Hailey Van Lith Makes Stunning SI Swimsuit Debut
4 minutes read
Hot Pockets: College Hoops Star Hailey Van Lith Makes Stunning SI Swimsuit Debut
Florida Completes Another Comeback to Capture NCAAB Title vs. Houston
4 minutes read
Florida Completes Another Comeback to Capture NCAAB Title vs. Houston
Duke Chokes While UConn Dominates the NCAAB Final Four
5 minutes read
Duke Chokes While UConn Dominates the NCAAB Final Four
Tags: Featured More Sports Rumors NCAAB Rumors

Comments (0)