Wayne Gretzky breaks NHL points record
On October 15 1989 28-year-old Los Angeles King Wayne Gretzky breaks Gordie Howes points record (1850) in the final period of a game against the Edmonton Oilers.Gretzkys record-setting goal tied the game in overtime he scored another and the Kings won 5-4.Gretzky had entered the game with 1849 points.About five minutes into the first period he tied Howes record by earning an assist on the games first goal.
After that he didnt do much and almost didnt play the third period Gretzky told reporters after the game because I got my bell rung a few times.But when he came off the bench with three minutes to go in the game his team down 3-4 he meant business.With 61 seconds left on the clock defender Steve Duchesne shot the puck toward the corner of the goal.
It bounced off winger Dave Taylors knee and slid across the front of the goal.Gretzky who had set up behind the net (a part of the ice that many fans called Gretzkys office) skated around and backhanded the puck past Oilers goaltender Bill Ranford and under the crossbar.The game was tied the record was broken.Gretzky had played in Edmonton for nine seasons and helped the team win four Stanley Cups so the citys Northland Coliseum was packed with fans.
When he scored his goal the sellout crowd erupted into a thunderous ovation that lasted for more than two minutes.The league stopped the game for a ceremony at center ice.Gordie Howe made a speech and there were gifts a 1.851-carat diamond bracelet (with diamonds spelling out 1851 across its face) from his old teammates a crystal hologram engraved with his picture from the Kings and a carved silver tea tray from the league.
Then Gretzky himself took the microphone.He thanked the Edmonton fans his parents and his wife and he added Gordie is still the greatest in my mind and the greatest in everyones mind.Howe who was 61 returned the younger players affection.If it was pardon the expression some clown whod broken his record he said it would have bothered me.
But not Wayne.By the time Gretzky retired at the end of the 1998-99 season he held or shared 61 NHL records.In all he scored 894 goals and tallied 1963 assists for 2857 points in 1487 games.
Hed broken Howes record for goals scored (801) in March 1994 in his 1117th game.Youve always been the Great One NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman told him that night but tonight youve become the greatest.
