Ice hockey: In front of Gretzky’s eyes: Owetschkin equalizes NHL record

Alexander Owetschkin did it: The Washington Capitals ice hockey star in the North American professional league NHL stopped the Torrecord by Wayne Gretzky, who was unreachable for a long time. Legend Gretzky applauded on the grandstand, while Owetschkin turned a round of honor after hit number 894 below on the ice. Thanks to the two goals of the 39 -year -old Russian, the Washington Capitals won 5: 3 against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Already on Sunday evening (6.30 p.m./MESZ) Owetschkin can become a record holder in the game at the New York Islanders.

Gretzky recognizes Owetschkin

“This is something very special, a historic moment,” said Owetschkin: “It means so much to me.” It is particularly valuable that “I made it here at home, in front of families, friends and fans,” said the attacker, who described the presence of Gretzky as a “huge honor”. “I’m so proud of him,” replied the 64 -year -old Canadian Gretzky: “Alex gave this game, this city and its country a lot. It is just wonderful.”

The fact that the record would be at least equalized in this game had indicated early on. After less than four minutes, Owetschkin netted for early tour. A quarter of an hour before the end it was time: The striker put on a shot in the overnight shot, as he had done countless times in the 1486 games of his career, and sank the disc to 4: 3 on the net.

Gretzky booked flight ticket only the day before

“To score so many goals is so hard, no matter what era,” said Gretzky appreciatively. He ended his career in 1999 and needed seven games less for the record. The Canadian also revealed that he had only booked the ticket to Washington the day before: “I am glad that I am here,” said the ice hockey legend: “I had the feeling yesterday that he may be hitting three times today.”

In the current season, Owetschkin has now hit 41 times and is in third place in this statistics. The best goal scorer is the currently injured Leon Draisaitl from the Edmonton Oilers with 52 goals.

“Alex Owetschkin is one of the biggest ice hockey players of all time, in my view he is in a row with all legends. Since I have been playing ice hockey, he has been somehow always present,” Draisaitl had admired over the Russians before the game of the Capitals.

“He scored over 50 goals in his first NHL season, when I played at the Cologne sharks in the youth at the age of ten. And now, 19 years later, we play against each other twice a season and he still scores his goals.”