ALEXANDRIA, Va. — At Bugsy`s Pizza Restaurant and Sports Bar, the familiar goal horn sounded, signaling another Washington Capitals score. Bar manager Armenia Marconi rushed upstairs to see—it was Alex Ovechkin.
Goal number 891, bringing him closer to Wayne Gretzky`s NHL record. Marconi updated the goal counter above the bar, and the excited patrons at the hockey bar cheered once more.
“It felt like another goal,” she remarked. “When the counter changed to 4, the whole bar erupted in cheers.”
Firefighter James Mazzara, watching from home, shared the enthusiasm. His firehouse near the Capitals` arena also displays a goal counter, prompting him to text a colleague to update it.
“We’re keeping track as closely as we can,” Mazzara stated.
Throughout Washington and its suburbs, reminders of Ovechkin`s record chase are everywhere. “GR8 Chase” goal counters are visible at locations like Ben`s Chili Bowl and Georgetown Waterfront, where the Capitals celebrated their 2018 Stanley Cup victory. Even in Ovechkin`s hometown of Moscow, illuminated counters and encouraging messages are displayed.
He reached 892 goals, just two shy of Gretzky`s record, before a Friday night home game against Chicago.
“There’s no stopping him,” commented Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice. “He will break the record. It’s an incredible achievement, truly generational because it was considered unbreakable.”
The GR8 Chase
It`s more a question of “when” rather than “if” Ovechkin surpasses Gretzky`s seemingly untouchable 894 goal mark. With seven games remaining before playoffs, Ovechkin has this season to reach it, as only regular-season goals count towards the record. If not, the chase continues next season.
The NHL has launched a microsite dedicated to documenting the chase. The Capitals provide an online platform for fans to show where they`re watching from and offer free lawn signs.
“We understood that people in the Washington area and globally would want to count down together. Digital platforms are great, but there’s something special about a traditional countdown clock,” said Amanda Tischler, Capitals’ Senior VP of Marketing. “The aim was for these counters across the city to create excitement as he approaches this major milestone.”
Goal counters were distributed to youth hockey rinks, national broadcasters ESPN and TNT, and local landmarks like Ben`s Chili Bowl, a local favorite since 1958.
“We are honored to host a goal tracker at Ben’s,” said Vida Ali, part of the family running the restaurant. “When the Capitals won the Stanley Cup in 2018, they brought it here. This is another exciting moment, a great time for the Caps and Ovi.”
The GR8 Meaning
The Stanley Cup also visited Mazzara`s firehouse, DCFD-Engine 2 & Rescue Squad 1, seven years prior, a place where the Capitals are always in focus. Its proximity to the arena means the goal horn is audible even from outside on quiet days.
“We hear it, and we rush back to watch, or we’re already watching on the engine bay TV. In the background, you hear the horn,” Mazzara, the rescue squad driver, explained. “It’s so enjoyable to watch. The city unites, all the fans. It’s a wonderful escape. Everyone is enjoying it.”
A similar festive atmosphere prevails at Bugsy`s, opened by former Capitals player Bryan Watson and his wife in 1983, later named after his nickname. Though Watson passed away in 2021, his legacy remains.
“He used to come in, sit with customers—sometimes you wouldn`t know he owned the place, let alone was a hockey player,” said Marconi, who knew Watson for ten years. “He`s still a part of Bugsy’s. People often ask about his photos and stories. I still share stories he told me, and that connection is strong.”
The goal counter above the bar is flanked by sticks from hockey legends Jean Beliveau, Stan Mikita, and Bobby Hull, all of whom Ovechkin has surpassed in goals. Nearby, framed jerseys of Mario Lemieux and Mark Messier commemorate other milestones Ovechkin has achieved.
“The town is buzzing,” Marconi shared. “We have regulars of 30-plus years, and it’s wonderful to see new faces excited about this. It’s great to be a part of.”
At Ben`s, the goal counter is prominently displayed above the jukebox, under the “Home of the original chili half-smoke” sign, becoming a tourist attraction.
“Out-of-town or international visitors often ask, ‘What’s the countdown?’ Those from the area are proud and knowledgeable, and everyone is taking pictures,” Ali concluded.
