Gretzky witnesses Ovechkin moving 1 goal back of his record as he joins the chase in person WSOC TV [Video]

WASHINGTON — (AP) — Wayne Gretzky witnessed Alex Ovechkin scoring his 893rd goal to move one back of tying his NHL record, as the Canadian great made his first in-person appearance during this chase.

Gretzky said it was important to “the integrity of the game” to make sure he was there in case Ovechkin broke his mark, just like Gordie Howe was when he set the record in the spring of 1994.

“When I broke Gordie’s record my dad told me that same night be as proud of the guy that breaks your record,” Gretzky said at the first intermission of the Washington Capitals’ game against Chicago. “When I was breaking Gordie Howe’s record, he was there. And I said two years ago that if Alex gets close to my record, I’ll be here.”

Ovechkin said after his team’s morning skate across the river in Arlington, Virginia, that it was great Gretzky was going to be in attendance.

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