Spencer Carbery reveals the real reason Ovechkin refused to leave the bench.

Hockey fans who tuned into Friday night's game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals got to witness a piece of National Hockey League history unfold before their very eyes, but the moment that many were hoping to see that night would never come.

Although Ovechkin would tie the mark previously set by NHL legend Wayne Gretzky, Ovechkin would not break the record and claim it for himself despite having numerous chances to do so late in the game. Most confusing of all however was Ovechkin's decision to remain on the bench late in the third period, a decision that many fans were quick to speculate about.

Like many others, I suspected that Ovechkin had remained glued to the bench due to the fact that he didn't want his record setting goal to come on an empty net, something that Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery would confirm following the conclusion of the game.

"He wants to break the record with a goaltender in the crease," said Carbery.

The Capitals head coach continued to elaborate from there, laughing about Ovechkin's desperation to break the record.

"When the goalie went back in he absolutely wanted to get back out on the ice," said Carbery bursting out in laughter as he spoke. "That's why he proceeded to spend a 1:30 left in the game generating 3 more scoring chances."

It was a wonderful moment for the sport of hockey and a wonderful moment for Ovechkin himself, and now we look forward to the record breaking goal that will surely be forthcoming in the very near future.