BY: ZACH MCADOO
On Monday, TJ Oshie shared the news that he had lost his father. “Coach Osh” had his own sticker on every helmet of the Washington Capitals. Oshie approached this game like he did every other game with a few handshakes and his little pregame ritual with Tom Wilson. Unfortunately, the game started with some payback because of the previous game, but the rest of the 59:59 of the game was a lot better for the Capitals.
Oshie scored his first goal on the power play early on in the second period. Eight minutes later, he scored another power play goal. Then late in the third, already up two goals, Oshie added a third goal to the board with an empty netter. Just 48 hours after sharing the news of his father’s passing, Oshie collected the fourth hat trick of his career. The whole team crowded around him when he went to the bench. He was overcome with emotion on the bench. We all knew this one was for Coach Osh.
I have been a big TJ Oshie fan since the 2014 Olympics. Not because of the shootout, it helps, but that isn’t the main reason. In an interview with Pierre McGuire after the game, McGuire asked if Oshie felt like a hero. Oshie replied, “I am not a hero. The men wearing camo are heroes.” That moment made me a fan. If there was ever a right person to have this hatty in honor of their father, it is Oshie. We will see what else Oshie has in store for us in the future.
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