Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin tied Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goal record Friday night with two scores against the Chicago Blackhawks.
‘The Great One’ was in the building, with festivities planned for if Ovechkin surpassed Gretzky’s 894 career goals.
Monumental Sports Network spoke with the Hockey Hall of Famer shortly after Ovechkin matched his record with a power-play goal in the third period.
‘Wayne, you’ve got some company now,’ Monumental Sports Network’s Al Koken said.
”That’s OK,’ Gretzky said. ‘That’s what my dad told Gordie Howe way back when, right? This is what the game’s all about. Alex has been great for the game and great for Washington, great for his own country.
‘It’s wonderful. I’m very proud of him. I’m proud of what I accomplished and, you know what? That’s what makes our game so wonderful, is the great athletes we have and more importantly the good people that they are.’
Gretzky went on to call Ovechkin a ‘superstar.’
‘He’s special,’ Gretzky said.
You can watch Gretzky’s full comments below:
Gretzky said he hoped goal No. 895 came Friday night — ‘He deserves to do it in front of their fans,’ Gretzky said — but the quest for that record-setting strike continues Sunday when the Capitals hit the road to take on the New York Islanders. The Great One is slated to be in attendance until the new record is set.
Gretzky has held the NHL goals record since 1994, when he broke Howe’s record by potting his 802nd goal. He retired in 1999 after pushing the record to 894.
‘I don’t care what era you play in, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, it’s hard to score goals,’ Gretzky said earlier Friday. ‘Good for him. Players are better today, the equipment is better, coaching is better. That’s the progression in our game, right? That’s a positive.’
Wayne Gretzky congratulates Alex Ovechkin
The Capitals released a video of Gretzky congratulating Ovechkin shortly after their 5-3 win over Chicago.
What Wayne Gretzky said about Alex Ovechkin after the game
In a press conference after the game, Gretzky said he was ‘proud’ to now share the record with Ovechkin and joked he ‘can live with that for 24 more hours.’
‘I can still say I’m tied for the most,’ Gretzky said.
Check out the full press conference with Gretzky and Ovechkin:
The Great One also spoke in a scrum with reporters:
This story has been updated with new information.
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