Ailing Wizards Don't Expect Sympathy, but They Deserve Some

Ovechkin is "the most dominant athlete in the world," Caps General Manager George McPhee said.

"A freak," declared Caps owner Ted Leonsis. "He never gets tired."

"He understands the game," veteran Sergei Fedorov said. "The way he's going, he could become one of the best. For someone to score more than 50 goals in a season, as he did last year [with 65], is amazing. He's physical and fast."

And he plays here tomorrow night.

College Daze

Halfway through the college football season, the local teams have perplexed their fans more than their own coaches.

· Maryland (4-2): Flying high after their upset victory at Clemson, the Terrapins laid an egg last Saturday, losing at Virginia, 31-0. Coach Ralph Friedgen told reporters afterward he wasn't "reaching" the team, adding, "I wish I had an answer for it." When I'm not reaching my journalism students at the same institution, I give 'em more homework.

· Navy (4-2): New coach Ken Niumatalolo has the Mids cruising toward a spot in the EagleBank Bowl, Dec. 20 at RFK Stadium, with three straight wins, overcoming key injuries and Feinstein doing color commentary on their radio broadcasts.

· Virginia (3-3): Coach Al Groh needed that win over the Terps to quiet disgruntled alumni, who have shifted their anger to Friedgen.