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The atmosphere was electric on Sunday as Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals carved his name further into hockey history by scoring his 895th goal, eclipsing the long-standing NHL record previously held by Wayne Gretzky. The fans erupted in a chorus of “Ovi,” celebrating this monumental achievement.
Ovechkin’s family was present in the stands to witness the momentous occasion, which drew significant attention after weeks of anticipation as he closed in on the record. Notably, Gretzky himself was in attendance to honor the historic event.
This record had remained untouched since 1999, when Gretzky netted his 894th goal with the New York Rangers during his 20th and last season in the league. Ovechkin’s milestone came at an opportune time, just shy of two weeks before the Capitals’ final regular-season matchup scheduled for April 17.
Following the goal, Gretzky and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made their way onto the ice to personally congratulate Ovechkin, adding to the significance of the moment.
As Ovechkin approached this milestone, many of his teammates expressed their sentiments regarding the pressure and excitement surrounding the achievement. Defenseman John Carlson shared that it felt “extremely doable” for Ovechkin as the record approached. He noted the palpable tension in the arena during the run-up to the goal, enhancing the experience of scoring in front of the home crowd.
“You could sense it a little bit in the last few games, but tonight felt particularly special, especially on home ice,” Carlson remarked, recalling how he assisted Ovechkin on goal No. 894 just days before this historic moment.
Ovechkin’s achievement is not just a personal victory; it resonates across the hockey community, symbolizing dedication, skill, and the ability to push beyond what was once considered an insurmountable record.
Source
globalnews.ca