Alex Ovechkin scored his 895.
Washington Capital’s Ace Ovechkin-Der had tied Gretzky’s 26-year-old Mark with two goals on Friday-scored on a power game early in the second period of Sunday’s clash at New York Islanders.
The 39-year-old Russian icon smashed in a long-range shot with 12:34 pm back in the second period to trigger wild celebrations at UBS Arena.
An overlying Ovechkin dived along the ice in joy after his significant strike before being bullied by teammates like a packed arena rose in a standing ovation for Russia’s performance.
Ice Hockey’s “Big” Gretzky was present with National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman to witness Ovechkin’s history-making, which was greeted by deafening song from “Ovi, ​​Ovi.”
Meanwhile, Ovechkin celebrated with his mother, wife and children who moved on to the ice when play was stopped to mark the apartment.
“What a day,” Ovechkin said in an address to the stadium after the game was stopped.
“As I always say it’s a team sport and without my boys, the whole organization, the fans, the coaches, I would never stand here. I would never have passed ‘the big one’,” he added.
“So fellas, thank you very much, I love you so much … and the last thing – to all of you fans all over the world, in Russia, we did that boys.”
Meanwhile, Gretzky also spoke in tribute.
“They say that items have been brought to be broken, but I’m not sure who will get more goals than that,” the Canadian told the audience.
Bettman meanwhile greeted Ovechkin’s professionalism and influence on ice hockey.
“We have all just witnessed history,” Bettman said, acknowledging that many felt that Gretzky’s record could not be beaten.
“But Alex, you did it. You’ve been amazing. You’ve been the perfect player who represented the NHL extraordinary on and off the ice. Thanks for all you’ve given the game.”
Ovechkins 895. Target marked the final act of a persecution that had gradually become more plausible over the years considering the Russian’s merciless scores.
Gretzky himself had once tilted Ovechkin to beat his record and said in a 2016 interview that it was within reach of Russian if he could stay fit.
“The first 500 are the easy ones – it’s the next 500 when you get a little older and your body is a little more worn – the journey and the physical part of the game catches you,” Gretzky said.
Ovechkin entered the 2024-2025 goal 42, which was shy to break Gretzky’s record, and rattled in his first 18 games before suffering a broken fibula in November, forcing a 16-game absence.
Nevertheless, Ovechkin, where he escaped, scored goals relentlessly, before finally catching up with Gretzky on Friday and passing the Canadian on Sunday.
“What a moment for hockey, what a moment for myself,” said a relieved Ovechkin Sunday. “Finally, no one will ask me ‘when you need to do it’. It’s over right now.”
Ovechkin’s performance, meanwhile, was praised by the Russian Olympic Committee, which was among the first to congratulate the player.
“The absolute record now belongs to our hockey player … There is no need to doubt that (Ovechkin) will raise the bar even higher as he has a full year of contract with the capitals ahead,” the committee said. “We congratulate Alexander and wish him health and further success! Further!”
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s economic envoy Kirill Dmitriev said Ovechkin’s performance could unite Russia and the United States.
“A real association of nations has taken place in recent weeks: While Americans cheered on a Russian hockey player, the Russians cheered on the American Washington capitals,” Dmitriev wrote on telegram.
“This is what sports should be: a tool that can bring people together even over a sea