The Gr8 Chase – How Points Unlocked the 895th Goal Experience

The Gr8 Chase – My Gameplan

If you’ve read any of my previous PMB posts, you probably know I’m a bit of a sports junkie. I’ve cashed in points to attend the Summer and Winter Olympics, all four Tennis Grand Slams, and even the FIFA World Cup in Qatar — and shared every detail with this fantastic community. This time, the story is a little closer to home but just as special: I witnessed Alexander Ovechkin break Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing NHL regular-season goal-scoring record of 894 goals — a moment dubbed The Gr8 Chase.

Alexander Ovechkin

Ovechkin, playing for the Washington Capitals, has been slowly chipping away at this seemingly untouchable milestone. And since Washington isn’t that far from Toronto, I kept tabs on his stats, hoping I’d have the chance to see him break the record in person.

My game plan was simple: I’d start scouting flights and seats when Ovechkin was within 10 goals of the record, but I’d only pull the trigger when he was five away. When that moment arrived, I had to decide — do I aim for a home game in Washington or roll the dice on an away game? Enter the New York Islanders vs. Capitals matchup on Sunday, April 6, at UBS Arena. The stars aligned. Not only was this a quick day trip from Toronto, but the history buffs out there will appreciate this nugget: Gretzky scored the final goal of his career against the Islanders. The poetry of Ovi potentially breaking Gretzky’s record against the same team? Too good to pass up. Even crazier: Ovechkin would break the record of 894 goals in exactly 1,487 regular-season games — the same number Gretzky needed. They had the exact goal count and the same number of games. Some kind of hockey destiny at play here.

Booking the Day Trip Flights and Getting There

Now here’s where points magic came in. I booked a standard Aeroplan award from Toronto YYZ to New York LGA for 24.2K Aeroplan points + $162 CAD. The value? Insane, as cash prices were three times that just for the flight, thanks to the hype. I picked LGA over JFK or EWR for a few key reasons: Air Canada flies direct to LGA frequently, and more importantly, the Maple Leaf Lounge AND Amex Centurion Lounge await at LGA, a dream combo for lounge lizards like me.

Seat-wise, I scored an emergency exit row on the outbound and a bulkhead aisle on the return, so extra legroom both ways. Shout out to the little joys in the economy cabin.

AC700 – Exit Row Seats

Public transit in NYC never fails. I had multiple options, from LGA to UBS Arena, and the complementary post-game shuttles back to the transit hubs were a huge plus. Thanks to my US Amex Platinum Card, I also had my Amex Uber monthly Credits as a backup.

First Visit to UBS Arena: The Gr8 Chase Experience

This was my first-ever visit to UBS Arena, so I arrived early and soaked it in. Let me tell you — this venue knows how to welcome hockey fans. There’s a dedicated American Express Lounge at the arena. While it’s not a Centurion Lounge (so don’t expect free-flowing food and booze), it does offer a quieter vibe and a dedicated bar — perfect for skipping the long concession lines. Oh, and there’s also an Amex cardholders entrance — a neat little perk to avoid the crowds.

UBS Arena – New York

Amex Lounge – UBS Arena

Amex Lounge in UBS Arena

Now the game. The Islanders’ lineup was announced first. Then came the goosebumps moment: the building got louder and louder as Ovechkin hit the ice. No formal announcement was needed — everyone knew what was at stake.

The first period was a bit of a snoozer — Ovechkin was on and off the ice in short bursts. But then came the second period. With 12:34 left on the clock, it happened. Ovechkin dropped to the ice as the puck hit the net. Then — a belly flop slide toward center ice. And as he rose to his feet, the entire Capitals bench stormed the ice. Goosebumps. The arena erupted. I stood there, stunned, soaking in the moment. That goal — #895 — sealed his place atop the all-time NHL goal list. A record that stood for over 30 years.

#895 at UBS Arena

#895 timestamp

Then came the ceremony. Gretzky, his family, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman were there. A highlight reel played. Speeches were made. Tears were shed. Ovechkin was even presented with a commemorative painting by a Canadian artist. It was electric.

#895 Ceremony

Wayne Gretzky and Alexander Ovechkin

Bonus trivia:

• April 6, 1980: Gordie Howe scores his last NHL goal.

• April 6, 2004: Washington wins the NHL draft lottery to pick Ovi.

• April 6, 2025: Ovi breaks Gretzky’s record. This date was fated from the start.

My Meals – Thanks to Credit Cards and Lounge Access

One of the tastiest perks of traveling on points is free meals courtesy of premium credit card lounge access. Thanks to my premium Aeroplan credit card, I had a solid breakfast at the Maple Leaf Lounge at YYZ. That powered me through until I returned to LGA, where the Centurion Lounge came in clutch for dinner.

The Centurion Lounge bar was top-tier. I tried the Maple Leaf Rag, a Canadian twist on an Old Fashioned with Rye, Maple Syrup, and a hint of “ferret” (not the animal—the herbal liqueur, just to be clear 😂). Then I tried the Tennis Club, made with vodka, melon liqueur, and sherry—a vibrant green take on a martini.

LGA Amex Centurion Lounge

For those curious, there’s also a Maple Leaf Lounge at LGA just steps away from the Centurion Lounge. But between the two, Centurion wins for food and drinks, hands down.

Overall Reflections of the Experience

Was all this last-minute planning worth it? Absolutely.

This is what points and miles are all about — being able to say yes to once-in-a-lifetime experiences without breaking the bank. Flights? On points. Taxes? Offset with flexible travel credits. Meals? Covered by lounge access. Stress? Minimal. Reward? Off the charts.

Sure, a part of me (okay, a Canadian part of me) was slightly gutted to see a Russian break a Canadian legend’s record. But Wayne Gretzky said it best: “Records are made to be broken.” He also recalled how Gordie Howe’s wife gifted Gretzky’s wife when he broke the previous record. In the same spirit, Gretzky’s wife presented Ovechkin’s wife with a gift at center ice. Tradition and respect were on full display.

So if you’ve ever thought watching your favorite team or athlete live was too expensive — think again. You can turn dreams into reality with points, strategy, and a little luck.

Safe travels and GOOOOOOOOOAL!