Alexander Ovechkin turned down empty net goal for good reason
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
The Washington Capitals defeated the lowly Chicago Blackhawks last night 5-3, and Alexander Ovechkin is on the verge of making history. After scoring twice, Alexander Ovechkin has tied Wayne Gretzky's all-time scoring record, leaving him just one goal away from cementing his legacy. With minutes left in the game, the Chicago Blackhawks pulled their goalie, presenting a golden opportunity -- one that Ovechkin chose to pass up.
When it comes to Alexander Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky's scoring record, there will always be haters.
It seems that Alexander Ovechkin is going out of his way to silence the critics -- choosing to break the record the right way.
According to Washington head coach Spencer Carbery, Alexander Ovechkin passed up the opportunity for the empty net goal because he wanted to score on a goaltender instead.
Alexander Ovechkin refused the empty net goal
He wants to break the record with a goaltender in the crease. He didn't want to go out there.
-Spencer Carbery
-Spencer Carbery
As if fans needed another reason to root for Alexander Ovechkin.
Realistically, it would have been easy for Ovechkin to break the record last night, but scoring on an empty net didn't feel right to him.
So, he passed up the chance, allowing top prospect Ryan Leonard to score his first-ever NHL goal.
You couldn't script it better.
Following the win, Wayne Gretzky made himself available to the media, emphasizing the significance of the moment.
«We always talk about our game, and the players who are in it,» says Gretzky. «From Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux, [Mark] Messier, on and on. And we wonder, 'Okay, what's going to happen when those guys retire?' Along came Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. Alex has been so great for the city of Washington, he's been so great for the National Hockey League, and he's encouraged so many kids in his home country of Russia to play the sport of hockey. He's been nothing but a champion, and I'm so proud that we're tied. I can live with that for 24 more hours; I can still say I'm tied for the most.»
-Wayne Gretzky
-Wayne Gretzky
The Washington Capitals will look for another win this Sunday against the New York Islanders, with Ovechkin likely to make history on Long Island.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 5 | 84 ANSWERS Alexander Ovechkin turned down empty net goal for good reason Do you think Alexander Ovechkin will break the record against the New York Islanders? | ||
| Yes | 67 | 79.8 % |
| No | 17 | 20.2 % |
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