NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Ovechkin has made history. With a powerful shot, he scored his 895th goal during a game against the New York Islanders, surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing NHL record. This incredible moment took place in the second period on a power play, where he launched a precise shot past goaltender Ilya Sorokin, assisted by his teammate Tom Wilson.
Ovechkin, filled with excitement, celebrated by belly-flopping onto the ice while thousands of fans cheered his name. “I’m really proud,” he said, still processing the achievement. He dedicated the moment to his family, teammates, and coaches who supported him along the way.
Interestingly, this was Ovechkin’s first goal against Sorokin, marking him as the 183rd goaltender he’s scored against. After the goal, he playfully thanked Sorokin and even got the stick from that memorable shot, which Sorokin signed with “895!”
Dylan Strome, who assisted on the goal, expressed his amazement: “Sometimes you pinch yourself to believe you’re witnessing something this special.” Ovechkin’s achievement felt surreal, challenging the belief that Gretzky’s record was unbreakable. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman acknowledged this during the celebration, emphasizing Ovechkin’s monumental accomplishment.
The night was emotional for Ovechkin as he received heartfelt congratulations from Gretzky himself. The pair shared a moment that reflected the legacy of both players in the sport. Gretzky praised Ovechkin, stating, “They say records are made to be broken, but I’m not sure who’s going to get more goals than that.”
Ovechkin’s journey to this milestone has been remarkable. He accomplished it in his 1,487th game—an impressive feat considering he battled injuries earlier this season. His ability to score 42 goals so far showcases not only his talent but his relentless drive. At age 39, he’s proving that age is just a number when it comes to talent and passion.
The support for Ovechkin transcended borders, with fans in both North America and Russia following his journey closely. Billboards and social media buzzed with excitement as he approached the record.
Throughout his career, Gretzky has held 54 NHL records, making his milestone monumental in the sports world. Meanwhile, Ovechkin is setting new benchmarks, showing that while records can be broken, the spirit of competition and excellence continues to thrive.
Ovechkin still has more to prove. He aims for 900 goals, and with the support of his family, fans, and teammates, he has the chance to reshape the history books even further. The journey has just begun, and as Ovechkin himself stated, “We did it, boys.”
With such high aspirations, it will be exciting to see what the future holds for this iconic player.
For more on Ovechkin’s milestone and other sports stories, you can visit the AP NHL.
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Source linkAlexander Ovechkin, Ilya Sorokin, Wayne Gretzky, Washington Capitals, New York Islanders, Spencer Carbery, Tom Wilson, John Carlson, Jakob Chychrun, Dylan Strome, National Hockey League, General news, MD State Wire, DC Wire, NHL, AP Top News, VA State Wire, New York City Wire, NY State Wire, NHL hockey, Nicklas Backstrom, U.S. news, Gary Bettman, Colleen Howe, Sports, Janet Gretzky, Russia, T.J. Oshie, U.S. News
