Alex Ovechkin elevated himself to another level as he broke Wayne Gretzky’s unbeatable goal-scoring record, surpassing the ‘Great One’ to become ice hockey‘s NHL goal record holder.
The 39-year-old’s signature one-timer secured him his 895th goal of his career.
With 12:34 left in the second period, the Russian scored on the first power-play of the game and was celebrated wildly by his teammates ,with fans in the rink yelling ‘Ovi’.
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“Like I always said, all the time, it’s a team sport and without my boys — the whole organisation, the fans, the trainers, coaches — I would never stand there and obviously I would never pass the ‘Great One’,” said Ovechkin.
“It’s great for the game. It’s great for DC. It’s great for Washington. It’s great for us to be involved for this moment.”
Ovechkin celebrates becoming the NHL all-time goal-scoring leader. Getty
“I’m pretty sure right now in DC it’s something crazy’s happening and especially at home in Russia. Like right now people celebrate, people are happy and I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
Countryman Ilya Sorokin was the 183rd goaltender that Ovechkin has beaten, having never scored on the New York Islanders goaltender before his record-breaking shot.
“Thank you to Sorokin to let me score 895,” Ovechkin said.
The record stood for 31 years, being held by hockey’s ‘Great One’ Gretzky. who was in attendance at the UBS Arena alongside the 17,255 fans, including a large contingent of Capitals fans who travelled from Washington for the historic moment.
In his 1487th game, the same number as Gretzky’s final time on the ice, Ovechkin’s team mobbed him after his celebration bellyflop and a 15-minute ceremony was set up for the occasion mid-period.
Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring his 895th career goal. Getty
“There’s nothing better than the National Hockey League,” Gretzky said.
“They say records are made to be broken, but I’m not sure who’s going to get more goals than that.”
“We have all just witnessed history in front of greatness,” said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
“Wayne, you’ll always be “The Great One’ and you had a record that nobody ever thought could be broken, but Alex, you did it. You have been amazing.”
Ovechkin’s season started off with a hinderance – a broken leg meant he missed 16 games in November and December but created a huge comeback which is a testament to his durability and a knack for putting the puck in the net consistently for two decades.
As Ovechkin continues his attempt to reach 900, the Washington Capitals captain owns more than a few records in the game.
He also holds the records for most power-play goals, shots on goal and most goalies scored against as well as becoming the sixth player to record 700 goals and 700 assists, joining the elite few at the top of NHL history.
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