Per @WPXI in Pittsburgh, who first broke the story, Pennsylvania police are investigating a death threat made against the Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin by a 17-year-old from Chambersburg, Pa. in an online message board late Wednesday night.
Upon learning of the incident, the Pittsburgh Penguin organization immediately alerted authorities who have seized the laptop from the residence associated with the post.
ESPN.com reported that the message read, "I'm killing Ovechkin and I don't care what happens to me."
Some in the Twitterverse believe this story is getting much more hype than it deserves:
Lons Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin officially scared of angry dweebs http://post.ly/U7a xmasape Ack! Not a message board threat! RT @Unsilent @dcsportsbog TV station reports Pittsburgh police investigating threat made against Ovechkin acjif98 Death threat against Ovechkin in the 'Burgh
Sounds like dramatic overload to me. Now if this was Philly - put him in witness protection soulresin death threats against ovechkin? okay people, settle down TXVinylJunkie WTF!! Someone made a death threat on Ovetchkin? I love hockey & all, but that's just overboard! Frakking skin jorb!!
While others had no qualms checking Pittsburgh fans into the boards:
witenike What's with the death threat on Ovechkin? It's a game yo!! #NHL hailey_letang really? a deaththreat on ovechkin, are pens fans stupid? capschick WOW pens fans really are morons. making death threats on Ovechkin again. ugh like I said morons!
Ovechkin, who will be provided with extra security by the NHL, looks to build on the 2-1 series lead in Game 4 on Friday in Pittsburgh.