NEW YORK — In an awaited showdown, Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin faced off against the iconic Alex Ovechkin. Prior to this match, Sorokin had successfully kept Ovechkin at bay, not conceding a goal in their past three encounters.
However, during a game where the New York Islanders fell to the Washington Capitals with a score of 4-1, Ovechkin finally added Sorokin to his list of conquered goalies, becoming the 183rd netminder to surrender a goal to the prolific Russian scorer. This marked Ovechkin’s 895th career goal, surpassing the legendary Wayne Gretzky.
Sorokin shared the mix of emotions he felt leading up to the game, acknowledging the pressure that loomed. “I feel a little bit pressure,” Sorokin admitted. “I just feel more part what Ovi feel most of his life, and much, much more. It’s a good experience for me.” Despite the anticipation, Sorokin never caught sight of Ovechkin’s precise shot from the left faceoff circle, a testament to Ovechkin’s skill.
Celebrating this milestone, Ovechkin made a heartfelt mention of Sorokin during his on-ice speech, generously extending gratitude by saying, “Ilya Sorokin, thank you for letting me score 895. I love you, brother.” This camaraderie led to a personal exchange as Sorokin gifted his stick to Ovechkin in the Capitals’ dressing room post-game.
Ovechkin expressed the sentiment of sharing this achievement with a compatriot, highlighting the uniqueness of a Russian breaking records in the NHL by scoring against another Russian. “It’s kind of an historical moment, Russian score against Russian and setting the record, so it’s pretty cool,” he stated.
Reflecting on the game, Sorokin humbly replied that in return for his stick, he would receive “Respect.” Prior to this match, Ovechkin had been unsuccessful against Sorokin, but determination prevailed during the Capitals’ power play. Islanders captain Anders Lee noted the significance of the game, remarking, “We did our best to limit what we knew was coming. We knew what was at stake, and it was going to be an exciting game. …. Got to witness some pretty cool history.”
Historically, Ovechkin has been a formidable opponent to the Islanders, now boasting 45 goals in 72 matchups. Interestingly, his record-breaking goal coincided with his 1,487th game, mirroring Gretzky’s milestone game record. In 1999, Gretzky’s 894th goal also found its mark against the Islanders.
Islanders coach Patrick Roy acknowledged the historical magnitude, stating, “You have to take in the moment. It’s great for our game.” He praised Ovechkin, noting that many thought Gretzky’s records were unreachable. Yet, Ovechkin’s persistence and skill warrant admiration.
Wayne Gretzky humorously noted his relief that Ovechkin didn’t score this historic goal at Nassau Coliseum, a venue rich with memories including past defeats. “It’s nice to not be at Nassau Coliseum because I lost a lot of games there,’’ Gretzky quipped, adding a touch of levity to a momentous event.