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If Ilya Sorokin had to give up a record-breaking goal, it’s unlikely there is anyone he’d rather have been on the other side of it than Alex Ovechkin.
After all, he grew up watching Ovechkin, who broke into the NHL when Sorokin was just 10.
They’ve played together on the Russian national team, count each other as friends and Sorokin even babysat Ovechkin’s kids at the All-Star Game in 2023.
So when Ovechkin asked for Sorokin’s stick during the on-ice ceremony after breaking the all-time goal-scoring record on Sunday afternoon, of course Sorokin obliged.
“It was amazing,” Sorokin said after the 4-1 win, which was almost entirely overshadowed by Goal No. 895 for Ovechkin. “After a win, I can say it was the first time in my life they stopped a game for 24 minutes [for the ceremony honoring Ovechkin]. Stay and think, ‘How [to] play after this?’
“So it’s a big moment for all the hockey world. Congrats to Ovi and his family. He’s a big player. It’s unbelievable watching it.”
Sorokin said he had to turn his phone off before the game, since people who hadn’t talked to him in a year or two were texting good luck.
“I feel today small part of pressure of what Ovi feels every day,” Sorokin said. “So it’s crazy pressure, you see today. Every game, so many fans, Washington. It’s crazy. Happy for him.”
As for Ovechkin’s shot from the top of the left circle, the 325th power-play goal of his career, Sorokin never saw it.
“Usually he [shoots] on left side,” Sorokin said. “I don’t know why today he shot on short side.”
For all the consternation about who would give up the record-breaking goal and end up on the forever highlight reel, Sorokin seemed completely at ease.
Ovechkin’s goal, after all, was the only shot he let into the net, stopping 27 of 28 otherwise.
“I think Ilya should feel good about himself,” coach Patrick Roy said. “He played really well today. … Obviously we’re gonna see that goal a lot in the next few days, but after that, he should not feel bad about it at all. And I think Ilya’s a strong person, so he’ll be fine.”
Wayne Gretzky, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and FBI director Kash Patel visited the Islanders dressing room postgame for about 10 minutes.
“Just acknowledged our sportsmanship throughout the game,” Marc Gatcomb said of No. 99. “Just a class act guy. Just saying how he handled it and stuff like that.”
