On March 23, 1994, Wayne Gretzky made NHL history by breaking Gordie Howe's all-time goal-scoring record. The historic moment took place during a game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Vancouver Canucks at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California.
Gretzky entered the game tied with Howe at 801 career goals. At 14:47 of the second period, Gretzky took a pass from longtime teammate Marty McSorley and fired a backhand shot past Canucks goaltender Kirk McLean, scoring his 802nd goal and surpassing Howe's record, which had stood for 14 years.
The game was stopped as Gretzky celebrated with his teammates, and he was presented with a special trophy by Howe himself, who had traveled to the game to witness the momentous occasion. The crowd gave Gretzky a standing ovation that lasted several minutes, acknowledging the significance of his achievement.
Gretzky would go on to score one more goal in the game, leading the Kings to a 6-3 victory. He finished his career with 894 goals, a record that still stands today and is widely considered one of the most unbreakable records in all of sports.
The record-breaking goal puck, stick, and other memorabilia from the game were later donated to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, where they remain on display as a testament to Gretzky's incredible career and his impact on the sport of hockey.
