On October 15, 1989, the greatest player in NHL history had become the best scorer in the game's history. It was on this day that Wayne Gretzky was looking to break Gordie Howe's all-time scoring record in the NHL. The Los Angeles Kings faced Gretzky's old team, the Edmonton Oilers, in a game that had a fitting ending along with a record-breaking day. Gretzky needed one point to become NHL's all-time leading scorer in which this game happened in the place he started his NHL career.
The Oilers held a 4-3 lead going into the final minutes of regulation. Gretzky was on the ice for an extended amount of time than normal. He stayed on as the Kings had a faceoff on their end of the ice. Gretzky then made his way in front of the net to deliver a backhand shot past Oilers goaltender Bill Ranford.
With 53 seconds left in regulation, Gretzky broke Howe's record of 1,850 points which also tied the game 4-4. He later won the game for the Kings on an overtime goal for a 5-4 win. He hung around the net for over three minutes before teammate Dave Taylor passed the puck in front of the net which gave Gretzky the opportunity to put it on goal. The Edmonton crowd erupted for Gretzky breaking the record.
After the record-setting point, play was stopped on the ice for over 10 minutes. Howe, NHL President John Ziegler, and former long-time teammate Mark Messier each presented Gretzky with gifts. Messier presented Gretzky with a diamond bracelet that was exactly 1.851 carats that spelled the record-breaking number of points.
Gretzky had 642 career goals after the two he had that night, and needed 160 goals to pass Howe's career total of 801 which he would later break. Howe was looking forward to this day for Gretzky. He broke Howe's scoring record in his 11th season in the league.
"An award such as this takes a lot of help. Both teams that are here today are a big part of these 1,800 points. I'd like to thank the Edmonton fans for their support, and I'd like to thank the Edmonton organization for their support," said Gretzky during the speech he had after Howe spoke to the Edmonton crowd. Gretzky had been traded just the year before to Los Angeles which began the rise of hockey in the western part of the United States. Gretzky also still called Howe the greatest hockey player ever during that same speech.
The record-breaking night couldn't have been scripted any better. Gretzky breaks the record in the place he started his NHL career, and after hanging around the net longer than normal. Gretzky went on to break numerous NHL records that still stand, and bypassed criteria needed to get into the Hall of Fame after retirement. ESPN ranked him No. 5 on the list of the greatest North American athletes of the 20th Century by a panel of experts. The Great One was more than great. The Great One is a legend and icon that will forever be remembered throughout the history of sports.
The Oilers held a 4-3 lead going into the final minutes of regulation. Gretzky was on the ice for an extended amount of time than normal. He stayed on as the Kings had a faceoff on their end of the ice. Gretzky then made his way in front of the net to deliver a backhand shot past Oilers goaltender Bill Ranford.
With 53 seconds left in regulation, Gretzky broke Howe's record of 1,850 points which also tied the game 4-4. He later won the game for the Kings on an overtime goal for a 5-4 win. He hung around the net for over three minutes before teammate Dave Taylor passed the puck in front of the net which gave Gretzky the opportunity to put it on goal. The Edmonton crowd erupted for Gretzky breaking the record.
After the record-setting point, play was stopped on the ice for over 10 minutes. Howe, NHL President John Ziegler, and former long-time teammate Mark Messier each presented Gretzky with gifts. Messier presented Gretzky with a diamond bracelet that was exactly 1.851 carats that spelled the record-breaking number of points.
Gretzky had 642 career goals after the two he had that night, and needed 160 goals to pass Howe's career total of 801 which he would later break. Howe was looking forward to this day for Gretzky. He broke Howe's scoring record in his 11th season in the league.
"An award such as this takes a lot of help. Both teams that are here today are a big part of these 1,800 points. I'd like to thank the Edmonton fans for their support, and I'd like to thank the Edmonton organization for their support," said Gretzky during the speech he had after Howe spoke to the Edmonton crowd. Gretzky had been traded just the year before to Los Angeles which began the rise of hockey in the western part of the United States. Gretzky also still called Howe the greatest hockey player ever during that same speech.
The record-breaking night couldn't have been scripted any better. Gretzky breaks the record in the place he started his NHL career, and after hanging around the net longer than normal. Gretzky went on to break numerous NHL records that still stand, and bypassed criteria needed to get into the Hall of Fame after retirement. ESPN ranked him No. 5 on the list of the greatest North American athletes of the 20th Century by a panel of experts. The Great One was more than great. The Great One is a legend and icon that will forever be remembered throughout the history of sports.
Photo courtesy sportsillustrated.cnn.com
Here's a look at the video of Gretzky's record.
Here's a look at the video of Gretzky's record.
Here's the previous two entries for October 15:
College Football on October 15, 1988
Kirk Gibson is a World Series Hero on October 15, 1988
Thanks for viewing, and I hope you enjoyed all three FSD History Flashbacks for today!
7 comments:
karma is a funny beast at times
his getting the record versus his old Oilers team mates just proves the point
yeah huh!!!
i love wayne, always have!! i still have a old jersey of his. what a great write up david & loved the vid!!
CCC- Yes, it is. It was only fitting that he broke the record where he started his NHL career.
MadMan- Thanks for stopping in.
Cindy- I knew you would like this one. Glad you enjoyed the video.
god i heart that man, no clue why, just do....one of those weird chick things i guess ;0
Cindy- I feel the same way about certain female athletes and wrestling divas! LOL!
Oct. 15th was a pretty busy day over the years.
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