Ovechkin celebrates hat trick on ice with his family, pulls into striking distance of Gretzky record
Photo credit: Imagn images
The Edmonton Oilers dropped another disappointing loss to the Washington Capitals today, but Alexander Ovechkin got a phenomenal moment to celebrate a hat trick with his son.
The Capitals superstar is now only 13 goals away from passing Wayne Gretzky for the NHL goal record, which he will likely do this season.
Alex Ovechkin celebrates hat trick vs Oilers with family while on the ice
After Ovechkin scored his first goal of the game, he came by and had a great celebrating with his young son sitting against the glass.
After his second goal too, Ovechkin came by the same corner to celebrate with his son, who threw up a number 2 for his dad's goals.
From then on, Ovechkin had several more chances to score and was clearly sniffing for the hat trick. While on the ice with the Oilers net empty, fans began chanting Ovi's name looking for the hat trick. He got a fortunate bounce from the Oilers, and didn't miss a cross-ice shot.
After the hat trick, he skated all the way to the other end of the ice to give his son one final fist bump. It looked like an incredibly special moment for Ovechkin's legacy, and also just a connection between a father and a son - it's an emotional scene for one of hockey's greatest players.
Looking at Ovechkin's scoring pace this season, he's on pace to surpass Wayne Gretzky's record of 894 career goals on April 4th of this season against the Chicago Blackhawks. It would be a truly incredible accomplishment to topple any Gretzky record.
He is now just 13 goals away from completing The #Gr8Chase and is on pace to pass Wayne Gretzky (894) at home versus Chicago on April 4.
Even when I have a slump, he will sometimes text me and say, 'Don't worry about it. It will come.' He's on my side. If that kind of person is rooting for me, it's pretty cool stuff. He's the best player out there and he's a great human.
- Alexander Ovechkin
It's incredible to see any record Gretzky be toppled, and yet Ovechkin will surely be able to accomplish it. Tonight's game will be one he remembers that helped accelerate the final push for 894, and the Edmonton Oilers poor play definitely helped him out.
Previously on Oilers Daily
POLL |
FEVRIER 23 | 590 ANSWERS Ovechkin celebrates hat trick on ice with his family, pulls into striking distance of Gretzky record Do you think Ovechkin will pass Gratzky this year? |
This year | 459 | 77.8 % |
Next year | 131 | 22.2 % |
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