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Alex Ovechkin made history on Dec. 13 by recording a hat trick to become the third player in NHL history to score 800 goals, but the milestone night was marred by the ESPN broadcast.
On Nov. 17, the NHL announced a schedule change for the game by putting it on ESPN. The logic was sound, as Ovechkin had a chance to pass Gordie Howe to move into second place all-time. While Ovechkin came one short of tying Howe, who has 801 career NHL goals, ESPN’s broadcasters struggled to capture the moment.
On Ovechkin’s first goal of the game, just 24 seconds in, the ESPN broadcast wasn’t even focused on the game. Instead, the broadcast showed color commentator Chris Chelios reading off the starting lineup in the Chicago Blackhawks dressing room.
Like seriously? Why does the national audience care about Chelios announcing the starters in the Blackhawks dressing room? pic.twitter.com/XD9VpahrlQ
— Brandon Alter (@brandon__alter) December 14, 2022
Here is how Capitals radio voice John Walton called the goal.
Hear Alex Ovechkin net the 798th goal of his NHL career as #ALLCAPS take 1-0 lead vs #Blackhawks
Call from @JohnWaltonPxP on @CapitalsRadio
Catch our call on https://t.co/vg1EKOgHqG pic.twitter.com/rHLjLDJgR7
— Ben Raby (@BenRaby31) December 14, 2022
Ovechkin would tally a second goal in the opening frame, with at first, had no mention of it being 799. Walton said “tapped in at the left post, that is 799.”
AUDIO: Hear Alex Ovechkin net his second goal of the night and the 799th of his NHL career as called by @JohnWaltonPxP & @MayHockeyNBCS on @CapitalsRadio
Catch our broadcast on https://t.co/vg1EKOgHqG pic.twitter.com/opDbe5fiLD
— Ben Raby (@BenRaby31) December 14, 2022
After the pair of goals in the opening frame, Ovechkin was interviewed on the ESPN broadcast during the intermission. While answering a question from Norris Trophy Winning defenseman P.K. Subban, now working for ESPN, Ovechkin appeared to be cutoff mid-sentence.
Maybe they had a time constraint, but during the intermission interview, Ovechkin was cutoff mid sentence. pic.twitter.com/KREEWC2aim
— Brandon Alter (@brandon__alter) December 14, 2022
In the third period, the moment arrived. Ovechkin scored 800 clearly, but before Levy could call the goal, he was interrupted by Chelios.
Chelios said “And there it is, 800.”
The ESPN call for 800. “And there it is” pic.twitter.com/eDbARxeZxI
— Brandon Alter (@brandon__alter) December 14, 2022
After Levy could complete the call, Chelios said “And here come the hats — and the team” before chuckling.
Walton immediately jumped on the moment.
“A shot and they score. And it’s Alex Ovechkin and it’s 800 career goals in the National Hockey League,” Walton said on the call. “The bench empties.”
🚨MILESTONE GOAL🚨
Hear #ALLCAPS Alex Ovechkin net the 800th goal of his NHL career as called by @JohnWaltonPxP & @MayHockeyNBCS on @CapitalsRadio pic.twitter.com/b8xV1IjEqK
— Ben Raby (@BenRaby31) December 14, 2022
Here is what Walton’s call sounds like synched to the video.
Capitals Radio call of Alex Ovechkin's 800th career goal 📻 pic.twitter.com/SUiZVoOSqH
— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) December 14, 2022
Radio and television calls go down as part of the history, they are a part of the moment that is played forever. It’s a shame that the “Worldwide Leader in Sports” that ESPN claims to be, seems to have butchered their end of the bargain, despite specifically airing the game for this very moment.
