The Great One vs. The Great Eight Showcase: Live score, highlights, updates from Gretzky-Ovechkin in NHL 20
It’s been over a month since we’ve had any competitive hockey taking place on the ice, but tonight we’ll be able to watch two of the best NHL players of all time go head-to-head on the virtual rink in, The Great One vs. The Great Eight Showcase.
Wayne Gretzky and Alex Ovechkin announced in a joint press release last week that they’ll be facing off in EA Sports’ “NHL 20” to raise funds for two charities: the Edmonton Food Bank and MSE Foundation’s “Feeding the Frontlines” fund based in Washington, D.C. The matchup will pit the pair in a best-of-three series on Xbox with the games live-streamed on the Capitals’ Twitch channel starting tonight at 8 p.m. ET.
Ovechkin will be partnering up with John “JohnWayne” Casagranda, a member of the Capitals esports team and the runner-up at the 2019 NHL Gaming World Championship, while Gretzky will team up with his 19-year-old son, Tristan.
Sporting News has all the action as The Great One and The Great Eight square off.
The Great One vs. The Great Eight Showcase scores, highlights from NHL 20 matchup
(All times Eastern.)
First Game
8:45 p.m. — And just as I say that, the Oilers score the game-winning goal. Gretzky is stoked, while Ovi is clearly not happy. Gretzky has requested a two-minute break before the next game starts. It’ll give us some time to digest the thrilling game we just saw play out. Meanwhile, the charitable donations have surpassed the $12,500 mark. If the next game is anywhere as good as the first hopefully fans will help keep that number rising.
8:42 p.m. — Gretzky’s running commentary has been easily one of the best parts of this game — and it’s been a good game, too. Still tied 4-4. The format will be continuous overtime until someone scores.
8:34 p.m. — OVECHKIN HAS SCORED WITH TWO SECONDS LEFT ON THE CLOCK TO SEND IT INTO OVERTIME. Not only that, but his team was also shorthanded on a five-on-three. What an incredible first game this has been.
8:30 p.m. — The Oilers have tied it once again! It was Kevin McClelland with the goal. Even in ‘NHL 20’, his 80’s mullet is breathtaking. AND THE GRETZKY’S HAVE SCORED AGAIN! Two goals in no time at all to snatch back the lead. It’s 4-3 Edmonton with just two minutes left.
8:27 p.m. — The Gretzky’s think they just tied the game, but the referee waves it off due to goalie interference! Gretzky is furious. “Where’s the challenge button? How do I challenge?” he asks. The Capitals lead 3-2 with less than ten minutes left.
8:25 p.m. — Just over a minute into the third, Ovi gives his team the lead with a Nicklas Backstrom goal. “That’s what I’m talking about, Becky!” he screams. Not sure who Becky is, but it was a nice goal nonetheless.
8:22 p.m. — Team Gretzky nearly scores on a five-on-three shorthanded breakaway but Holtby makes another big save. He’s been outstanding so far this game. A few minutes later, team Ovechkin ties it up once again via an Ilya Kovalchuk goal. It’s 2-2 heading into the final period. “I’m so tired,” Gretzky quips.
8:17 p.m. — Gretzky’s son, Tristan, is starting to get annoyed at his father’s lack of faceoff wins. “Faceoffs don’t matter,” Gretzky replies. “When you’re 60 years old it’s hard to see the TV.”
8:15 p.m. — Despite the Gretzky’s continued domination, Ovechkin has tied it up on a breakaway. The score is 1-1 heading into the second period. But wait, the Gretzky’s have scored again! Just a few minutes into the second period. They now lead 2-1.
8:10 p.m. — Gretzky has scored! And with who else but his own in-game character. Wayne is absolutely ecstatic. “If you go to the net, good things happen,” he says. The Oilers lead 1-0 with less than 6 minutes left in the first period.
8:09 p.m. — The puck drops and IMMEDIATELY the Gretzky’s are all over Ovi and JohnWayne. Holtby has been forced to make at least three good saves to keep things tied at 0-0. “We’re playing for the pride of all of Canada right now,” Gretzky says. You’re giving a good account of yourself so far, Wayne.
Pregame
8:04 p.m. — The stream is now underway. Gretzky, who has a solid crowd of fans supporting him from his home, declares “I’m awful at this.” Ovi, who was holding his son Sergei, initially leaves his microphone on mute before telling us he’s excited. Gretzky says he’s “so nervous.” This should be interesting.
7:41 p.m. — Not much is known about the gaming skills of either of these players. Ovi is apparently more of a ‘Call of Duty’ and ‘Fortnite’ fan, while Gretzky has played ‘NHL 20’ before but only a handful of times. Ovechkin’s teammate, John “JohnWayne” Casagranda, definitely has the upper hand in terms of skill over everyone else though. He was the runner-up at the 2019 NHL Gaming World Championship.
7:22 p.m. — Was there really any other choice?
7:21 p.m. — Did Ovechkin get any sleep?
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