A feat which was once considered impossible, has officially become reality as Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin has broken the NHL career goal scoring record on Sunday.
Ovechkin netted goal number 895 to officially pass Wayne Gretzky’s high water mark in his team’s 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders. With Gretzky and commissioner Gary Bettman both in attendance, the game took a moment to recognize the prolific feat with on an ice ceremony.
“I can tell you firsthand, I know how hard it is to get to 894, so 895 is pretty special,” Gretzky said. “My congratulations to not only Alex, his mom and dad, his family, his wife and kids. … They say records are made to be broken, but I’m not sure who’s gonna get more goals than that.”
“The first 500 are the easy ones…It’s the next 500, when you’re getting a little bit older, and your body is a little bit worn down, the travel and physical part of the game catches up to you.”
The goal, fittingly scored on the power play from the top of the left circle, beat goaltender Ilya Sorokin cleanly, making him the 183rd NHL goaltender Ovechkin has scored on throughout his career. With his family and teammates surrounding him at centre ice, Ovi remarked “I’ve always said, all the time, it’s a team sport,” Ovechkin said. “… Fellas, thank you very much. I love you so much.”
The parallels between Gretzky and Ovechkin’s careers in terms of goal scoring have been well documented to this point. Through 1,487 games the pair were separated by a single goal, the one Ovechkin scored on Sunday to break the all-time record. Goal number 895 was the 42nd goal of the season for the 39 year old, who has been on a torrid goal scoring pace since the start of the season.
Even a broken leg hasn’t managed to slow down the Great Eight, as he returned faster than anticipated, missing only 16 games in the process, and immediately resuming his unprecedented scoring pace.
Following the nearly 25 minute ceremony, Washington came out fairly flat the rest of the way, as New York earned a much needed victory in their quest to clinch a wildcard spot. The Capitals, who currently lead the Eastern Conference with 107pts, can now officially turn their attention to the postseason, as the media circus that was Ovechkin’s GR8 Chase will now subside.
Up next for Ovi and the Caps is a Thursday contest against the Carolina Hurricanes.
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