IGreatOne'retires,NHLlosesambassador

by Ron D'Orazio sports editor

After shattering over 60 scoring records during a 20-year career in the National Hockey League, Wayne Gretzky has retired from professional hockey.

Rangers game against the Penguins.

At the conference, Gretzky said that he could not see a desire to physically prepare and train for the 1999-2000 season.

After the Rangers·-Penguins game, the Ranger star skated around the ice waving to the fans while receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.

Following last Sunday's overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Gretzky, a center for the New York Rangers, officially

At the celebration, N.H.L. Commissioner Gary Bettman paid tribute to Gretzky. According to an article in the .New York ended his playing career.

>Gretzkyhas left the N:H.L. as the number one scorer of all tiQie. Gretzky played for four teams, the Edmonton Oliers, the Los Angeles Kings, the St. Louis Blues and the Rangers.

During a career that has spanned over three decades, Gretzky racked up 2,857 points. The next highest total in N.H.L. history was

1984

1985

1987

1988

* - all with Edmonton that of Gordie Howe. Howe, a forward for the Detroit Red Wings, scored 1,850 points in his 26-year-career.

Gretzky bested Howe's total in 10 seasons, when he scored on Oct. 15, 1989 to reach 1,851. Gretzky's records include the most career goals in the history of professional hockey in North America, 1072. Gretzky scored 894 goals in the N.H.L. and 182 goals in the now defunct World Hockey Association.

Gretzky is also the all-time leading scorer in the N.H.L.'s postseason with 382 points.

Gretzky decided to officially retire on Thursday, April 15, after the Rangers game against the Ottawa Senators. After the game, in which the Rangers tied the Senators at two, Gretzky held a press conference to announce his retirement following the

Times, Bettman said, "When you take off that sweater, your jersey, you will be the last player in the N.H.L. to ever wear 99."

Among the celebrities that appeared at Gretzky's last game include former Penguins star Mario Lemieux, former two-time teammate Mark Messier and basketball great Michael Jordan. Jordan made his appearance in the form of a video message on the scoreboard at Madison Square Garden. Messier was Gretzky's teammate on the Oilers when they won their four Stanley Cups. They also guided the Rangers to the Conference Finals in 1997.

The scoreboard provided the building with a visual presentation of highlights of Gretzky's career. The ceremony was capped off with a lap around the ice by Gretzky and his Ranger teammates. After their lap, a picture of the entire team was taken. All team members wore hats with the number "99" on them.

Gretzky skated out for one final curtain call before walking off the ice for the last time with his family. Gretzky's walk towards the locker room ended the career of hockey's greatest scorer and arguably the best player ever.

• Goals in a season - 92 (1981-82)

• Assists in a season - 163 (1985-86)

• Points in a season - 215 (1985-86)

The Streak

Gretzky scored a point in 51 straight games during the 1983-84 season.

Postseason

• Points in the playoffs - 47 (1984-85)

• Points in the Stanley Cup Finals - 13 (1987-88)

Career (N.H.L.)

• Goals - 894

• Assists - 1,963

• Points - 2,857 statistical information obtained from Internet

is now by Brian O'Connell half, while the Lady Cavs deposited 11 more goals to sports editor take a 15-1 lead at half-time.

The Lady Cavs lacrosse team continued to dominate the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference by defeating Cedar Crest 18-11 last Saturday.

Senior Jess Valerio led the Cavs with five first-half goals.

ln the first half, the Cavs scored four quick goals to open up a 4-0 Cabri- a time-out, Cedar Crest _attempted to step up their defense and convert turnovers into goals.

"I thought we played really well," senior Amanda Seeds said "It was important that everyone played because we have a big team and today was family day." ni lead. However, after ~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~ The Cavs started the second half the way they finished the first half. It was in this half that the substitutes got a chance to show their stuff as they dominat-

Sophomore goalie Christy Malone made some impressive saves ed Cedar Crest throughout '" the game to the win. down the stretch.

"I felt we played really well as a team and it

- Amanda Seeds senior -was great that everyone ---------------got a chance to play today,• sophomore Megan Rush said.

Cedar Crest scored one goal the rest of the first

"We played a great game today," head coach Jackie Neary said. "I was pleased to see that everyone got to play because of family day."

The women's lacrosse team gathers after an 18-11 PAC victory over Cedar Crest on Saturday.