Alex Ovechkin scored two times to tie Wayne Gretzkys record of 894 NHL profession objectives on Friday, matching a mark that as soon as appeared unassailable.With Gretzky in participation, the 39-year-old Russian provided No.
894 6:32 into the 3rd quarter to give his Washington Capitals a 4-3 lead over the Chicago Blackhawks in a game they would go on to win 5-3.
Ovechkin tied Gretzkys monumental mark with a power-play objective, dropping to one knee and raising his arms in celebration as the crowd at Capital One Arena roared.
Im sure everyone enjoyed this moment due to the fact that its something special, Ovechkin stated in an in-arena interview instantly after the video game.
[To] do it in your home, in front of our fans, family, buddies, and undoubtedly win here as well ...
Its a big honor.
Ovechkin also skated over and high-fived his boy Sergei, with teammates coming onto the ice to congratulate him.
It indicates a lot, Ovechkin said.
Right now its so emotional.
You never thought, like, you can reach that turning point.
Without all my teammates, all my partners, you guys, he stated with a nod to fans, my family, my mom, my partner, you know? They support, they do everything what I need.
Needing 3 goals to break Gretzkys monumental mark coming into the contest, he had grabbed number 893 just 3:52 into the game.Set up at the bottom of the ideal faceoff circle, Ovechkin one-timed a pass from Dylan Strome past Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight.
It was a great flat pass [from Strome] and I got fortunate, Ovechkin said in a quick television interview throughout the very first intermission.
It struck the post and entered.
The objective gave Ovechkin his 14th 40-goal season, extending his own record.Gretzky was in presence, and Ovechkin said after the first duration that the presence of the Canadian fantastic added to an electric environment at Washingtons Capital One Arena.
Everybodys buzzing today, he said.
Waynes here, so its a special minute.
Fans were shouting for Ovechkin before the game started, and whenever he was on the ice.A groan increased in the very first period when a pass intended for Ovechkin was obstructed by a Chicago defender.Gretzky, being in a suite with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, likewise drew cheers from the crowd.The Blackhawks, tracking 4-3, pulled their goaltender, however after Ryan Leonard scored into the empty net to put the Caps up 5-3 Knight went back to his goal and took Ovechkin on.He stopped two attempts from the Russian for a record-breaking objective as the clock wound down, drawing boos from spectators for his trouble.Ovechkins next opportunity to break the mark will come Sunday, when the Capitals dip into the New York Islanders.But he did break another record Friday, his 136th game-winning goal climaxing he showed Jaromir Jagr.