It turns out the personal reason that kept Alex Ovechkin out of Tuesday night’s game was oversleeping.
The Washington Capitals captain told reporters Wednesday that was benched by head coach Barry Trotz when he showed up late to Tuesday’s morning skate.
Ovechkin said he had accidentally programmed his alarm for 8:30 p.m. instead of 8:30 a.m.
“It was an honest mistake,” Trotz told reporters after Wednesday’s practice, which did include Ovechkin. “We have certain accountability rules.”
Watch Ovechkin discuss his punishment here:
“You always want to be in the lineup to help the team,” said Ovechkin, admitting to his error. “It was suck.”
Ovechkin said he has been late in the past for a couple of team meetings due to traffic but has never missed a morning skate.
On Tuesday Trotz said that Ovechkin was absent due to “personal reasons.”
Without Ovechkin in the lineup, the Capitals were shut out 5-0 by the San Jose Sharks at home.
Ovechkin has one goal and one assist in one game played this season.
The Capitals’ next game goes Thursday, when they host the Chicago Blackhawks at Verizon Center. Ovechkin is expected to play.
