McDonald slams Ovechkin on Twitter

It appears that Alex Ovechkin's decision to skip the 2012 NHL All-Star Game isn't one St. Louis Blues forward Andy McDonald agrees with.

On Wednesday, McDonald tweeted: "classless move by @ovi8 "opting" out of NHL Allstar Game."

Ovechkin said the reason he made the decision to pass on the festivities was because he is currently serving a three-game suspension for a hit to the head of Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Zybnek Michalek.

The Russian sniper said he didn't want his presence at the game to be a distraction, but McDonald believes that was a poor excuse.

"I think it's disappointing for the fans," McDonald told stltoday.com. "The all-star game is about the fans, a chance for them to see the league's best players showcase their skills. He's one of the premier players in the league. There will be a lot of disappointed fans not to see that at the all-star game and the skills competition."

McDonald received some backlash from Capitals fans for calling out the Great 8 because several hours after his original tweet the 34-year-old responded with another: "Some bitter Caps fans out there? Thought you would want to see your player showcase his skill at ASG!"

The veteran forward added that other NHLers feel the same way as he does and that Ovechkin's decision will disappoint young fans.

"It's just disappointing," McDonald said. "You think about the number of kids that are Ovechkin fans, certainly those in Ontario who don't get to see him that much. Now just because he doesn't want to go or he's mad at the league ... it's disappointing. Other players feel the same way."

The 2012 NHL All-Star Weekend takes place in Ottawa with the skills competition on Saturday and the game itself on Sunday, Jan. 30.

McDonald has played just three games this season and missed the past 46 games with a concussion and is currently working his way back into the Blues lineup. Last season, McDonald had 50 points in 58 games.