Watch: Ovechkin, Gretzky impress in NHL 20 showdown for charity
Alex Ovechkin and Wayne Gretzky took their talents to the virtual world, and they didn't disappoint.
The Great One and the Great Eight faced off Wednesday night in NHL 20 on the Washington Capitals' Twitch stream to raise money for coronavirus relief.
In the first of two games they played, Gretzky opened the scoring, and it's safe to say Ovi was not happy.
On the board first: 9iaf9iaf!
- Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 23, 2020
(R) https://t.co/fSlVBH7N7K pic.twitter.com/8PkuMXPah8
Late in the second period, Ovechkin evened things up with the help of a relatively new addition to the Capitals' lineup.
OVI WITH KOVY
- Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 23, 2020
Ya just love to see it!
(R) https://t.co/fSlVBH7N7K pic.twitter.com/O48SdWkHQ7
The Capitals superstar's flair for the dramatic and penchant for exuberant celebrations extend to video games, too, as Ovechkin forced overtime with a goal in the dying seconds.
Ovi scoring #NHL20 goals is as exciting as his real ones pic.twitter.com/tdmCWmtSSu
- #NHL20 (@EASPORTSNHL) April 23, 2020
However, No. 99 got the last laugh in the extra frame.
.@WayneGretzky with an absolute SNIPE in overtime pic.twitter.com/osLYXuP9Bd
- #NHL20 (@EASPORTSNHL) April 23, 2020
Ovechkin exacted some revenge in the second game, scoring as himself less than a minute in.
Guess who? @ovi8, that's who!
- Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 23, 2020
(R) https://t.co/fSlVBH7N7K pic.twitter.com/q09N4qsvhE
Gretzky played alongside his son, Ty, in the first game, but switched to his other son, Trevor, for the second contest. After Ovechkin scored to make it 2-0 in the latter affair, the Great One had a great line about his decision to change partners.
"I traded the wrong son."
- Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 23, 2020
(R) https://t.co/fSlVBH7N7K pic.twitter.com/rU5BrSv0LM
Ovechkin held on for a 4-1 victory, which they agreed to end after two periods.
Both competitors shared parting messages on Twitter afterward.
That was so much fun. Great game, great cause. Thanks @ovi8. Probably best we both stick to the real game @NHL
- Wayne Gretzky (@WayneGretzky) April 23, 2020
Ps. Thanks everyone for your donations. pic.twitter.com/2UDr8e3933
It was a great time to play with u and your boys!! don't trade them they are good players ))) huge thx to all the fans who donate and support us! See u guys soon https://t.co/ZrwM3m4n2h
- Alex Ovechkin (@ovi8) April 23, 2020
The event raised more than $20,000, and both participants' families matched half of that total apiece to bring it up to $40,000, the Capitals announced. The funds will be split between the Edmonton Food Bank and Monumental Sports and Entertainment Foundation's "Feeding the Frontlines" fund.
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