Barbashev gets message from Ovechkin during Cup celebration in Moscow
Forward spent day with trophy in Russian capital
ByPat Pickens @Pat_Pickens / NHL.com Staff Writer
Ivan Barbashev knew he was spending his day with the Stanley Cup in Moscow. What he didn't know was 2018 Conn Smythe winner Alex Ovechkin would be dropping in via video message.
The St. Louis Blues forward got a surprise congratulatory message from the Washington Capitals captain and fellow native of Moscow on Saturday. "Congratulations on winning the Stanley Cup. I myself know how hard it is to win it," Ovechkin said in recorded message to Barbashev. "We are with you as one, but don't relax because next year I'll take the Cup back from you. I'm already getting ready." Before hearing the message from Ovechkin, Barbashev started his day on the Moskva River, which runs right through the Russian capital..
He was the guest of honor at a special ceremony at the home arena of Dynamo Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League. More than 3,000 fans visited the arena, according to the Dynamo website, and many got a Barbashev autograph and photo with him and the trophy.
Barbashev, who had three goals and six points in 25 Stanley Cup Playoff gamess to help the St. Louis Blues capture the Cup, capped his day with a party where he drank Samogon, Russian-style moonshine, from the trophy, brewed by his dad Dmitry.
