Oilers Retire Great 99

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Edmonton honored the Wayne Gretzky by lifting his No.99 jersey to the ceiling of the rink where he helped the Oilers win four Stanley Cups.

Gretzky called it the official end of his hockey career.

With a sold-out arena and Gretzky's family and teammates in attendance, the Oilers staged an elaborate ceremony with Gretzky's career highlights on the Jumbotron.

"I guess it's only fitting that they're parking me (the banner) behind that net," said Wayne Gretzky, referring to the area where he was offensively potent.

The crowd gave Gretzky a five-minute standing ovation when he entered in a cloud of dry ice and circled the rink standing on the bed of a slow-moving black pickup.

The voice of Rod Phillips, longtime Edmonton Oilers public address announcer, cracked and tears flowed as he said: "Ladies and gentlemen, we'll now say these words for the last time ever in the building: Hockey fans, tonight's first star, No. 99 Wayne Gretzky."

Earlier Gretzky officially changed the name of the expressway that runs past the Skyreach Center to Wayne Gretzky Drive. 5,000 screaming fans ignored freezing temperatures to attend the ceremony in front of the City Hall.

"Once the sweater goes up, it's the official end," said Gretzky, adding, "I still wish I could play. I still wish I could be out there."

After the ceremony the Oilers and the Rangers skated to a 1-1 tie. Ryan Smyth opened the scoring for the Oilers at 1:57 of the second period, then Tim Taylor tied it for the Rangers less than five minutes later.

Mike Richter in the Rangers net made brilliant saves in the third period when the Rangers outshot the Oilers 13-2.

The game featured the first regular-season overtime to be played with four skaters per side. Each team had two shots on goal in the extra period.