Brooks Orpik Describes Ovi's Diet As "Inspirational"

Here’s the best way to describe what type of hockey player Ovi is- not only is he one of a kind, he also might be the last of a kind. The last of a hard hitting, 100 MPH slapshot, old school type of player who can score, have his own back, and change the game for everyone on the ice at all times. And if anything makes someone an old school, turn back the clock guy, it’s his diet. Get your gluten free grilled chicken the fuckkkk out of his face:

Player’s Tribune - There’s a conventional way to do things, but he’s never really subscribed to it. Contrary to Sid, I think the best word to actually describe Ovi is reckless — on and off the ice. I know all the old-school hockey guys will be saying, “Reckless? What do you mean reckless?” But I honestly mean it in the best way possible. He plays the game with this level of freedom and imagination that allows him to try things other people won’t — and pull them off just about every night. Of course, it’s plain to see how his talent-level has elevated this organization for so many years, but it’s his general joy in playing the game that makes him an incredible teammate.

But also, seriously: The guy’s diet is borderline inspiring.

We have a chef here who prepares our pregame meals. Ovi always orders the same thing — Mama Luccia, which is this pasta dish that’s like chicken parm with noodles, bread, cheese, the kind of thing you want to take a five-hour nap after eating. He makes a big display of it too. There’s no shame. It’ll be eleven in the morning, way before anyone is really thinking about eating lunch, and Ovi will walk into the dining area yelling, “Mama Luccia! Mama Luccia!” I don’t know. It’s weird, but it seems normal now.

Then, a few hours later, he’s outskating everyone on the ice, knocking guys on their asses and sniping pucks wherever he wants.

Legend.

It wouldn’t work for some guys, but it works for him. Over the years, I’m sure people have tried to make him change, but when you’ve been as great as he has for as long as he has, why would you want to change?

Legend. Mama Luccia! Mama Luccia! What a beast. Dude just eats and eats and eats and then goes out there and wrecks people.

The article by Orpik is a really good look at Ovi, the culture in DC, and how bad they want to win.

But that kind of touches on the best part of where we’re at: It doesn’t matter how we got here — we’re here now. We have a rare opportunity ahead of us that nobody is taking for granted. We have an organization and city that has been ready to win for a long time.

No fan base wants this more. Now up 2-0, I can’t believe we’re only 2 games from the Cup finals. Pretty crazy. And shout out to Orpik- myself and other Caps fans gave him a hard time all season, but he’s really elevated his game in the playoffs and has been nothing but solid. Been a big piece of shutting down the Pens and now Tampa through 2 games.

Bring us home, Brooks!

And, oh yeah, we got Ovi.

Mama Luccia!