Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 21, 1994 TAG: 9403210089
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SAN JOSE, CALIF. LENGTH: Short
The 33-year-old Kings center tied the record of 801 when he beat Arturs Irbe with 49 seconds left in regulation, tying the score and sending the game into overtime. It was Gretzky's 36th goal of the season.
The goal came after the Kings pulled goaltender Kelly Hrudey for an extra skater after the Sharks took a 6-5 lead on Pat Falloon's goal with 2 minutes, 25 seconds remaining in regulation.
Alex Zhitnik was off to the left side of the net when he took a shot that glanced off Irbe. Gretzky, with position at the opposite side, corraled the rebound and drove in the score- and record-tying goal.
He got his first goal at 6:16 of the first period, stealing the puck near the San Jose goal and beating Irbe from point-blank range.
Howe set the record in 26 seasons in the NHL, most of them with the Detroit Red Wings. Gretzky, who broke Howe's points-scoring record of 1,850 on Oct. 15, 1989, tied the goal record in his 15th year in the league.
Gretzky has 2,447 for his career. He is the only player in NHL history with more than 2,000 points.
The league's scoring champion nine times, Gretzky leads the 1994 points race with 119.
Gretzky, who holds 60 NHL records, has been the league's most valuable player nine times.
Gretzky came into the season with 765 goals - 583 in nine NHL seasons in Edmonton where he helped the Oilers win four Stanley Cups.
by CNB