The Russian Alex Ovechkin, who is something like LeBron James of the beat the mythical this Sunday. Gretzky was at the New York Islanders stadium to witness how they exceeded their brand. It was in the second third of the match when the Moscow of the Washington Capitals made one of those releases from afar that they have taken to glory. He immediately launched on the ice rink and the game stopped for the celebration while the public stood up and celebrated a time for history.
The goal came when there were 12:34 minutes in the second period. He beat his compatriot Ilya Sorokin, goalkeeper of the Islanders, whom he had never managed to score a goal. He received a perfect pass from his teammate Tom Wilson and fired a trick on which neither Sorokin nor the defense Jakob Chychrun, who tried to block him, could do anything. Numerous followers of the capital had moved to New York and chanted one of their nicknames: “Ovi! Ovi!” The other is The Great 8in reference to the number of your shirt.
Ovechkin is a giganton of 1.90 meters tall and 106 kilos of weight that at 39 continues to cause the delights of the capital’s fans with their physical game and their murderous instinct. A early talent debuted as a professional with 16 years in the Russian League and was chosen by the capitals in the first place of the draft of 2004, although the first year was lost due to a employer closing in the League and debuted in 2005. Since then, he has participated 10 times in the All Star of the NHL and achieved the title, the Stanley Cup, in 2018. Its longevity in the elite is C
The left end had between the eyebrow and eyebrow be beat the Gretzky record this season and has done it when the regular season approaches its end, with the capitals as the best team of the East Conference, with 49 wins and 18 losses. His course start was not very good, but in recent weeks, he stepped on the accelerator. He still has five games of the regular season to try to reach the level of 900.
The day could not be more conducive. Gretzky scored his last goal in the NHL in March 1999, precisely against the New York Islanders. In addition, this Sunday was the 45th anniversary of Gordie Howe’s last goal, 801, which remained as a record until Gretzky surpassed him in 1994. The Wayne Gretzky brand of 894 goals was considered unbeatable when he retired at 38 in 1999. He has lasted more than a quarter of a century, but in the end, he has fallen.
“Wayne, you will always be the Grande And you had a record that nobody thought would be beaten, ”said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, to open the celebrations, AP reports.“ But Alex, you did it. You have been incredible. ”Gretzky congratulated Ovechkin and his family for the achievement, and added:” They say that records are made to be beaten, but I’m not sure who is going to get more goals than that. “
With the wife, mother and two sons of Ovechkin nearby – they were also Bettman, Gretzky, and the wife of the latter, Janet – the Russian player went to the crowd and said: “I have always said, all the time, that it is a team sport. Friends, thank you very much. I love you very much.” After the pause for congratulations and recognitions, the party continued.
