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Islanders Goalie Gives Unexpected Response to Alex Ovechkin After Allowing Record-Breaking Goal

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Treppedi | Last updated Apr 6, 2025 9:31 PM ET

Ilya Sorokin got caught in the wrong date on the Washington Capitals' schedule.

He had to face Alex Ovechkin on the verge of making history on Sunday as the future Hall of Fame legend was one score away from becoming the NHL's all-time leading scorer.

Sorokin let that goal up in the second period of the Islanders' 4-1 victory on Sunday. Ovechkin took a cross-ice pass from Tom Wilson and buried the puck over Sorokin on the power play in his patented region at the top left circle, popularly referred to as "Ovechkin's office."

"I [didn't] see shot because three players [in front of me]," Sorokin said to NHL.com. "Usually he shoots on left side, but I don't know why today he shot in short-hand side."

The two Russians met up with each other following the game and Ovechkin had a special request from Sorokin.

"I [told] him right away, 'I need that stick,'" Ovechkin said.

Sorokin gave it to No. 8 without hesitation.

"I said, 'No problem,'" Sorokin said.

Ovechkin asked Sorokin what he would want from him in return, to which the goaltender replied, "respect."

After Ovechkin's 895th goal was scored, an in-game ceremony was held where he, NHL commissioner and Wayne Gretzky, who previously held the record at 894 goals, all spoke to an aroused UBS Arena.

The Islanders lined up to congratulate Ovechkin and Sorokin was the last to shake his hand. The two shared private words with each other and hugged as Ovechkin tapped Sorokin's helmet.

"Before the game, me and [Dylan Strome] talked about I never score against him," Ovechkin said. "I think we played only two games, but it's kind of an historical moment, Russian score against Russian and setting the record, so it's pretty cool.

"He's such a great kid and my kids love him, so it's a tremendous moment. It's a tremendous day for hockey and that's cool."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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