
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 24, 1994                   TAG: 9403240217
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: INGLEWOOD, CALIF.                                LENGTH: Short

WAYNE GRETZKY ADDS ANOTHER CHAPTER IN HIS AMAZING CAREER

Wayne Gretzky scored the 802nd goal of his career, overtaking Gordie Howe on Wednesday night to become the greatest goal-scorer in National Hockey League history.

The 33-year-old Los Angeles center beat Vancouver goaltender Kirk McLean with a wrist shot from the base of the left faceoff circle with 5 minutes, 13 seconds left in the second period.

Gretzky took a cross-ice pass from Marty McSorley, a teammate from his days with Edmonton. McSorley had pulled McLean out of position before passing to Gretzky.

Gretzky raised his arms in triumph as the Kings rushed off the bench. The game was stopped for a brief ceremony as Gretzky addressed the crowd.

Gretzky's feat elevates him to a level reached by a select few who set the standard in their sports: baseball's Henry Aaron (755 home runs), football's Walter Payton (16,726 yards rushing) and basketball's Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387 points).

Howe, who retired in 1980, scored 801 goals in 1,767 games spanning 26 seasons. Gretzky set the record playing in his 1,117th career game in 15 seasons.

by CNB