On April 6, 2025, the hockey world witnessed a historic moment as Alex Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal, surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing record. But what made this broadcast truly stand out wasn’t just Ovechkin’s record-breaking achievement—it was the way Joe Beninati (play-by-play) and Craig Laughlin (analyst) chose to call it.
Their seamless execution and minimalistic approach to announcing the goal elevated the experience, allowing the crowd, the atmosphere, and the moment to speak for itself. It was a masterclass in the art of play-by-play announcing—where less truly became more.
The Power of Silence: Letting the Moment Breathe
When Ovechkin scored, something remarkable happened: Beninati and Laughlin didn’t rush to fill the air with words. Instead, they let the silence linger for 38 seconds, allowing the roaring crowd to take centre stage. This was no accident—it was an intentional choice that made the moment even more profound. Silence in sports broadcasting can often be a risky decision, but in this case, it was the right one.
In the fast-paced world of play-by-play broadcasting, there’s often pressure to keep talking, to fill every second with commentary. Yet, as Beninati and Laughlin proved, sometimes the best way to highlight a historic moment is to say less. The crowd’s roar conveyed everything needed: the excitement, the disbelief, the admiration. It was a living testament to Alex Ovechkin’s achievement.
The Simplicity of the Call
One of the defining features of Beninati’s call was its simplicity. As Ovechkin reached the milestone, he delivered a prepared line that was clean, concise, and free of over-elaboration. “The chasing days are done” he said, with a sense of reverence that didn’t need embellishment. Sometimes, broadcasters can get caught up in trying to sound profound, but Beninati’s approach was the opposite. He didn’t need to add layers of drama or overstate the importance of the moment—it was clear in the moment itself.
“Alex Ovechkin is the greatest goal scorer in the history of the NHL.”
This simplicity, of course, only enhanced the moment. By refraining from embellishing the call, Beninati allowed Alex Ovechkin’s achievement to speak for itself. It was a brilliant piece of broadcasting. Too often, broadcasters lean into overly dramatic, scripted lines in an attempt to capture the weight of a milestone, but Beninati’s restraint here was a reminder that less truly is more.
Why Crowd Noise Matters
Another aspect of the broadcast that deserves recognition was the role of the crowd noise. When we think of sports broadcasting, we often imagine the announcers’ voices as the dominant force in shaping the narrative. But in this instance, it was the fans who stole the show. The uninterrupted roar of the crowd as Ovechkin scored, coupled with Beninati and Laughlin’s brief moments of silence, created a compelling synergy. The fans weren’t just reacting—they were the story.
There’s something almost magical about crowd noise in sports broadcasting. It’s raw, it’s unfiltered, and it connects the audience to the emotion of the moment in a way that words can’t always achieve. In this case, the crowd’s eruption became a soundtrack to Ovechkin’s historical goal. It wasn’t just a moment for the fans in the arena; it was a shared experience for anyone watching.
The Importance of “Less Is More” in Broadcasting
The decision to allow the crowd’s voice to be the primary storyteller is a testament to the growing importance of restraint in modern broadcasting. Announcers don’t always have to fill every second with commentary—sometimes, the best thing they can do is step back and let the game, the crowd, and the atmosphere tell the story.
Beninati and Laughlin didn’t over-announce; they didn’t overstate the moment. They allowed the historical significance of Alex Ovechkin’s goal to unfold naturally, with just enough guidance for the audience to appreciate its magnitude. It was a great reminder that sports broadcasting isn’t just about announcing what’s happening on the ice—it’s about curating an experience, where the voices of both the announcers and the crowd work in harmony.
Reflection
Looking back on Ovechkin’s 895th goal, it’s clear that Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin’s approach to broadcasting set a high bar for future sports calls. In a world where it’s easy to overdo things, they proved that sometimes the most impactful moments are those left unsaid.
- Key Takeaway #1: Simplicity in a broadcast allows the moment to speak for itself.
- Key Takeaway #2: The power of crowd noise is often underestimated—never overlook its significance.
- Key Takeaway #3: In sports broadcasting, sometimes silence is just as important as the words.
Next time you’re watching a game, think about the balance between the announcer and the crowd. Is there space for the moment to breathe, or is there a need to fill every second with commentary? In the case of Alex Ovechkin’s 895th, less was definitely more.