Alex Ovechkin Becomes Fifth Quickest to Reach 500 Goals
Alexander Ovechkin the captain of the Washington Capitals became the first NHL player who is Russian born to reach 500 goals scored in his career.
Playing in just his 801st game in the NFL, Ovechkin beat Andrew Hammond the net minder for the Ottawa Senators during a second period power play in Sunday’s 7-1 victory to reach the historic mark.
Just Wayne Gretzky, Mike Bossy, Mario Lemieux and Brett Hull, whom are all members of the Hall of Fame, scored 500 or more goals as quickly in their NHL careers.
After Ovechkin scored the goal, the Verizon Center fans rose to their feet and tossed hats onto the ice. The entire Washington team flooded the ice to give their congratulations to the star who is just 30.
Ovechkin extended both arms and clapped acknowledging the fans. He called the goal and subsequent celebration a special moment for him in front of the Capitals fans, his teammates and parents.
Last week, the five-time NHL scoring champion and the three-time MVP of the league said he was not nervous about becoming the first Russian player to reach the threshold of 500 goals.
The 0.63 goals per game average for Ovechkin is second amongst those who have played a minimum of 800 games in the NHL. Only Mario Lemieux at 0.75 is higher ranked and Gretzky is third at 0.60.
Ovechkin added No. 501 during the third period to give the Capitals the final goal of the game. This season Ovechkin has scored 26 goals, which is tops in the NFL and has scored five over his last three games played.
When asked if he has lost any desire to score goals, the Russian was quick to say no. He said the more you score, the more you want to score. He called it a hunger to score more goals and a hunger to play hockey.
He said he enjoys playing the game and enjoys the crowd, even if they boo or cheer for you. He called his career in the NHL and his scoring a dream come true.
NHL scoring is down this season as it has been of late and Ovechkin acknowledged that. He said league wide it is difficult scoring stressing that without the help of his teammates he would not have the goals he does, as it has become very difficult to score.
