Sid vs. Ovi by Andrew Podnieks

Yet another Andrew Podnieks offering in 2011 is Sid vs. Ovi: Crosby and Ovechkin - Natural Born Rivals. The book is published by Fenn/McClelland and Stewart.

Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com - Kindle eBook

Here's more from the publishers:

Even before Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin began their NHL careers in 2005, the two players were rivals. They first met at the World U20 (Junior) Championship, playing for the gold medal, and ever since they have been opponents in the NHL and international arenas. No two star players could be so different. Crosby is the consummate captain and team player, the responsible face of the NHL. Ovechkin is the loose cannon on ice and off, capable of a great play or a cocky comment.

Sid vs. Ovi traces this intense rivalry game by game, year by year, from 2005 to 2011 and beyond. Their biographies are given consideration alongside their in-game performance and career development to present a clear picture of their lives, their careers, their league, and their countries. Hockey fans can well be divided into those who prefer one or the other of this pair of scintillating talents. But one thing is certain – the presence of one inspires the other to greater heights.

Here's the specs:

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: McClelland and Stewart (Oct 25 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0771071167
• ISBN-13: 978-0771071164

Ted's Take On New Ovechkin Book

A war of words is brewing between Damien Cox, co-author of the new book The Ovechkin Project andTed Leonsis, Ovechkin's billion dollar employer.

Along with Gare Joyce, Cox penned the unauthorized biography of Ovechkin. When Cox spoke critically of Leonsis concerning Ovechkin's contract, Leonsis fired back.

The 13 year deal signed by Alex Ovechkin was a simple deal. His salary is straight-lined across the life of his contract. There was never an issue with the structure of the contract with the NHL. It was all done in the light of day - honest and transparent. By the rules. The writer of this article knows that. He is just mad because he didn’t have access to Alex Ovechkin when he wrote his book. We don’t agree with his point of view in his book and we won’t have anything to do with him and his book now. He is on his own.

The writer can say anything he wants about me. He doesn’t scare me. He just can’t distort facts. We won’t let him and he is being called out on this one right here and now.

Stick tap to Kukla. You can get more information on Cox and Joyce's new book The Ovechkin Project here.