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PITTSBURGH -- Hockey Night In Canada is getting an official freeze out by the Washington Capitals.
CBC producers were told this morning that cameras not only won't be welcome in the team's dressing room but the public broadcaster will not be granted between-periods interviews during tonight's Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semi-final between the Caps and Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Caps are still upset that CBC aired footage prior to Wednesday's Game 3 that included strategic information on the team's dressing room "white board."
A team official said the ban is "indefinite" and will preclude CBC reporter Elliotte Friedman from interviewing players during intermissions both tonight and for tomorrow's Game 5 in Washington.
"They, of all people, should know better," Caps general manager George McPhee told Sun Media on Thursday. "They shouldn't have done it."
McPhee refused to comment on the ban today, but acknowledged to Sun Media that it will be in effect.
CBC used the video extensively, including a studio segment with host Ron MacLean and analysts Kelly Hrudey and Mike Milbury which broke down the "keys to victory" point by point. Caps coach Bruce Boudreau called the move "classless" and "unprofessional."
Hockey Night executive producer Sherali Najak admitted that the network erred in using the video.
OVIE OKAY: Caps star Alex Ovechkin today shrugged off the reported death threat that was made by a Penguins fan on an internet chat board earlier this week. "I understand he's a big fan ... he just wanted to get me a little afraid," Ovechkin said with his toothy grin.
Pittsburgh law officials are taking it a little more seriously, however, and are investigating the threats. There was no visible increase in security around the Russian star at today's morning skate.
As for tonight, Ovechkin hopes he has more energy than he did in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime loss.
"I scored the first goal which was lucky and after that I just didn't skate," Ovechkin said. "My legs just didn't feel strong."
