Alex Ovechkin has achieved it! He arrived, he observed, and he triumphed, just as the ancient stories recount! The Washington Capitals arrived at the UBS Arena with a clear objective: to achieve that 895th goal for Ovi, ensuring it wouldn’t be an empty netter. And would you believe it? Ovi accomplished it with style.

Maintaining his concentration on the ice, he executed a precise shot during the power play in the second period at 7:26, finding the back of the New York Islanders’ net. With this, he reached the remarkable milestone of 895 goals, leaving everyone in the stands in sheer awe. On this momentous occasion, Ovechkin’s mother shared a prerecorded message for her son, which was played at the rink.

On X, B/R Open Ice posted a video capturing Alex Ovechkin’s emotional reaction as his mother, who exclaimed, “Sasha, great job! You’re an amazing person, and I’m so proud of you. I love you very much. I know that your dad is also incredibly proud of you right now because he did so much to help you become not only a great player but also a wonderful person.”

Ovi may excel on the ice, yet he is also the child of Tatyana Ovechkin. The former Russian basketball player expressed immense pride in her son’s accomplishments in the sport, highlighting her unwavering support for him. Additionally, she conveyed a heartfelt message regarding Ovechkin’s father, Mikhail Ovechkin.

In February 2023, the captain of the Caps shared the news of his father’s passing, Mikhail Ovechkin, who died at the age of 71. Mikhail, once a professional soccer player for Dynamo Moscow, has faced health challenges that have hindered his ability to travel to North America in recent years. Alex Ovechkin also stepped away from the team to support his family in Moscow during this challenging period.

The Russian hockey star held deep admiration for his father, recognizing him as a pivotal influence in shaping his career in the sport. The contributions Mikhail made to his life remain unforgettable. Recall the moment when Ovi vowed not to net an empty goal for his 895th career tally?

Alex Ovechkin choosing the honorable way

Empty net goals often face scrutiny, and Ovechkin has recorded 65 of them throughout his career. Nevertheless, he was resolute in his decision not to set the record with this kind of goal. “I tell him (Spencer Carbery) I don’t want empty net (for 895),” Ovi remarked following the game, noting that he had communicated his feelings about the significant goal to his coach. In the recent matchup between the Capitals and the Chicago Blackhawks, Ovi found himself with a clear chance at an open net.

At the Capital One Arena, the Blackhawks seemed ready to secure a win against the Capitals. Dylan Strome and Alex Ovechkin each netted a power-play goal, turning the tide of the game against the Blackhawks. As the game neared its conclusion, the Hawks sought to mount a comprehensive offensive, exposing their net in the process.

During this moment, Dylan Strome asked Alex Ovechkin about the empty netter, and he outright denied it. “I asked him about 15 times. I didn’t want to be the guy to shoot it in the empty net if he wanted the empty netter… You don’t want to be the guy to shoot it into the empty net if he’s looking for it to pass, but he made it pretty clear that he didn’t want to get it on an empty netter, and you’ve got to respect his wishes,” Strome stated.

In clear terms, Ovi wanted to reach that 895th goal with dignity. He aims to create an enduring impact in the NHL, viewing the record-breaking goal as a standard accomplishment, and ultimately, he was able to do it.