Ovechkin’s Pursuit of History Comes to Life at UBS Arena
On Sunday afternoon at UBS Arena, Alex Ovechkin pursued his lifelong mission to surpass Wayne Gretzky’s legendary NHL career goal record. But his chase extended beyond the rink to a more whimsical setting—a goat sporting a Gretzky Los Angeles Kings jersey atop a jeep.
“What is that?” inquired an Islanders fan, catching a glimpse of Eddie Twomey’s white Jeep, festooned with Washington Capitals paraphernalia and an Ovechkin mannequin in pursuit of the goat. This elaborate homage marked Ovechkin’s impending milestone—just one goal needed to break Gretzky’s record against the New York Islanders.
“This idea has been brewing in my mind for about five years,” Twomey shared with ESPN. His Jeep, previously adorned with an eight-foot replica Stanley Cup, celebrated the Capitals’ 2018 victory, attracting fans at notable events like the 2023 Stadium Series at North Carolina State University.
As Ovechkin closed in on Gretzky’s record of 894 goals—having equaled it with two goals against the Chicago Blackhawks—Twomey embarked on a creative journey to encapsulate this historic moment on his vehicle.
“The Cup was straightforward. Everyone gets it,” Twomey explained. “But representing Gretzky’s legacy required a story.” Having moved to Los Angeles in 1988, Twomey witnessed Gretzky’s rise after being traded to the Kings, including his 802nd goal that surpassed Gordie Howe’s record, a memory immortalized by Twomey’s ticket stubs.
Twomey’s attraction to Gretzky’s status as the “Greatest Of All Time” inspired the display featuring Ovechkin “wrangling” the goat. Flanking this scene are images of Gretzky reminiscent of his days coaching the Phoenix Coyotes, where Ovechkin scored the iconic “The Goal” during his rookie season.
Although Twomey envisioned his tribute for some time, Ovechkin’s blistering start this season, with 17 goals in 20 games before a fibula injury, hastened his plans. After recovering, Ovechkin scored 15 additional goals post-February’s 4 Nations Face-Off.
Visiting Hercules Fence in Maryland enabled Twomey to construct the Jeep’s aluminum rig, equipped with neon lights designed to update Ovechkin’s goal tally. “I plan to rush out during the game to adjust if he sets the record,” Twomey said.
Twomey’s journey with the countdown car took him from Raleigh, where the Capitals faced Carolina, to Washington DC against Chicago, and finally to New York—a trip not without challenges.
“I overlooked New York’s parkways and their low bridges,” he admitted. “We had to reverse at one point and almost couldn’t enter the parking lot—it was a narrow one-inch clearance under a 9-foot-1 bridge.”
Ultimately, Twomey’s dedication meant the Jeep made it to the arena, setting the stage for what countless Capitals fans hoped would be a historic hockey day.