ICYMI: Capitals' Russians busted for breaking NHL protocol, team fined $100,000 and Ovechkin gives fake apology

In case you missed it last night, the NHL fined the Washington Capitals $100,000 for violating the league's COVID-19 protocols. In a statement released by the league, Capitals' players were accused of gathering social in close contact without wearing a face covering.

Subsequently the Capitals also announced that Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov and Ilya Samsonov, all Russians, have been added to the league's "COVID-Related Absence List." While this doesn't necessarily mean that this players have contract COVID-19... all signs certainly point in that direction.

Now, the Capitals have released a statement condemning the actions of these players. Ovechkin himself has also issued a statement.

Check it out:

I have to say... 

And this might tick some people off...

What a bunch of absolute nonsense. 

Does Ovechkin's apology sound sincere? Not even close. Look, this looks to be a case of a few guys getting together in a hotel room after a hockey game. You know... like hockey players have done now for generations. These guys sit side by side on the bench, they sweat on each other in practice, they're literally in each other's faces when they're playing the game, but once the final buzzer goes they're expected to just forget all that and keep to themselves? Talk about confusing times...

I'm all for physical distancing, mask wearing and other COVID-19 restrictions, but can common sense prevail at some point?