Wayne Gretzky lauds Alex Ovechkin after special record-breaking goal

“The Great One” was The Gracious One.Wayne Gretzky congratulated Alex Ovechkin during an in-game on-ice ceremony Sunday after the Washington Capitals star broke his longstanding record with the 895th goal of his career.The two shared a handshake and a hug.“I can tell you first-hand, I know how hard it is to get to 894,” Gretzky said.

“895’s pretty special.My congratulations to not only Alex, his mom and dad, his family, his wife and kids.

When I broke the record, my two kids were both the age of his boys, so it’s kind of reminiscent for me and I’m so happy that two of my boys are here tonight.“There’s nothing better than the National Hockey League.They say records are meant to be broken, but I’m not sure who’s going to get more goals than that.

It’s the greatest game in the world.”Seated with his wife and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Gretzky immediately rose to his feet and applauded when Ovechkin beat Ilya Sorokin of the Islanders and then swan-dived across the ice on his belly.Gretzky broke Gordie Howe’s record with his 802nd career goal as a member of the Kings – before coming to the Rangers late in his career.“When I set the record, they bought me a Rolls Royce,” Gretzky told Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, “so you’ve got your work cut out.”Gretzky’s NHL records for assists and points are practically unbeatable.For example, Ovechkin still sits more than 1,200 points off the lead.Gretzky scored 2,857 career points.

Jaromir Jagr is second with 1,921.After the game, Gretzky went to the Capitals locker room and joked, “A lot of cameras.More than when I scored.”The craziest part about the record chase is that Ovechkin scored No.

895 in his 1,487th career game.That’s the same number of games that Gretzky needed to get to 894....