It was big! The joyous jolt that that will never be forgotten in the history of the NHL. The cheers were well worth it when Alex Ovechkin crossed the enormous 894 mark. From speeches, to diamond rings, to a goat exhibit (yes, an exhibit with an actual goat), the festivities have been nothing short of grand for the completion of the Gr8 Chase. But while the hockey community is busy soaking up the moment, Ovechkin cut a more contemplative figure at the Capital One Arena.
This personal revelation came on Friday, where Ovechkin’s historic transcendence was celebrated. For the Gr8 City Celebration, the area was decorated grandly. The arena had undergone complete makeover. There were booths, interactive stations, and a big stage at center ice. That’s where Ovi took the mic, thanked the fans for supporting him all these years, and looked back on what it meant to hit 895 goals and spend his career in D.C.
Alex Ovechkin stated, “It’s going to be a tremendous feeling when everything is going to be over and we’re going to meet up in five years or 10 years and we’re going to remember this moment because it’s history.”
The 39-year-old added, “Right now, it’s been, like five days and it’s still crazy what we did. It’s all the organization, all the players. It’s hard to believe, like, history was made. It’s going to be forever. It’s nice to be part of it. It’s nice to be standing here and seeing all you guys. I’m pretty sure lots of fans, lots of people who were watching it, they’re going to remember, ‘Wow, I been there, I watched it on TV.’ It’s history, man.”
Alex Ovechkin was already looking towards the future; there’s no doubt that this moment will continue to feel special for years and even decades to come. But while he and the Washington Capitals community take the time to soak it all in, the celebrations rage on.
Alex Ovechkin’s surpassing Gretzky’s records to be sculpted in history
Remember when Ovi finally broke Gretzky’s all-time goal record? Yeah, the historic 895th goal, the goal still gives chills thinking about it. It all happened at 7:26 of the second period in a game against the Islanders, given that the Capitals were playing it on a power play. At that time, Ovechkin stood at the top of the left circle, letting loose a classic wrister that blew past Sorokin’s blocker. Boom. History made, per the official NHL website. However, while the Capitals lost the match during that game, Ovechkin’s record-breaking score stole the show and called for celebration.
Wayne Gretzky had an impossible number that couldn’t be broken until Ovechkin took the stage. Wayne Gretzky stood at 894 goals. And with Ovechkin breaking the record, Gretzky congratulated Ovechkin. Gretzky stated, “They say records are made to be broken, but I’m not sure who’s going to get more goals than that.” Per CBS News. Russian President Vladimir Putin also conveyed his appreciation and support for Ovechkin after he surpassed Gretzky’s record.
The celebration has been on the edge, given his fandom celebrating and the Capitals honoring him for the greatest ever achievement that he made. A fan event had also been escalated for Union Station, but with so many people wanting in, they had to move it to the arena to make room for the bigger crowd. And looking at the sky today, it doesn’t look like the celebration will end anytime soon.
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