April 18, 1999 6:34 PM EDT

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Wayne Gretzky received a farewell befitting a legend today as the greatest career in hockey history came to an emotional end.

"The Great One" received a standing ovation of nearly four minutes at Madison Square Garden before today's game between the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins, then was feted in ceremonies that featured Mario Lemieux and Mark Messier.

Afterwards, Gretzky collected his 2,857th point with an assist on Brian Leetch's power-play goal in the second period. It lifted the Rangers into a 1-1 tie, but Jaromir Jagr took the torch from Gretzky and scored 82 seconds into overtime to give Pittsburgh a 2-1 win.

Gretzky's unparalleled impact on the game he loves so dearly was evident as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told the capacity crowd of 18,200 that no one will ever wear No. 99 after Gretzky takes off his jersey today.

"You have always been and always will be `The Great One,'" said Bettman. "There will never be another."

Later, pop star Bryan Adams changed a stanza of the Canadian national anthem from "We stand on guard for thee" to "We're gonna miss you, Wayne Gretzky." John Amirante did the same to the American anthem, substituting "O'er the land of Wayne Gretzky" for "O'er the land of the free."

With No. 99 emblazoned on the ice and the boards, Gretzky was introduced first at Madison Square Garden, where he played the final three seasons of his 20-year NHL career. He was joined by his mother, wife and children before Bettman presented plaques containing 30 original scoresheets from games in which Gretzky set some of his 61 NHL records.

"He's Ruth, Ali and Jordan all rolled into one. He's meant more to his sport than any of them meant to theirs," Bettman said later. "When you look at the way he's conducted himself, on and off the ice, I don't think there's ever been one better."

After Gretzky was embraced by New York Rangers teammates Adam Graves, Brian Leetch and Jeff Beukeboom, Edmonton Oilers general manager Glen Sather -- who coached Gretzky for nine seasons -- was introduced. He was followed by Lemieux, presented as the greatest player against whom Gretzky played.

"I wanted to be here," said Lemieux, who retired almost exactly two years ago. "It's a very special day, one of mixed emotions. I'm happy for Wayne. ... The other side is hockey's losing the greatest player ever."

Messier, who played with Gretzky for nine seasons in Edmonton and one season in New York, received a roaring ovation when he was introduced. The captain of the Rangers' only Stanley Cup championship team since 1940, Messier hugged Gretzky at center ice.

MSG president Dave Checketts drove Gretzky's father, Walter, onto the ice in a black Mercedes that was presented to the younger Gretzky as a gift.

"To my teammates, thank you, I love my car," Gretzky said. "I said the other night I wanted this to be a celebration because I feel so lucky that I was able to play in the National Hockey League.

"I appreciate all the accolades. I thank Madison Square Garden and the New York Rangers and, of course, as I said the other day, I tell people the greatest place to play as a professional athlete is right here in New York. Thank you all very much."

Programs sold out some 90 minutes before today's game and sales of commemorative merchandise have been brisk. Gretzky used 40 sticks in the game and wore three different jerseys. Video tributes, including one by Gretzky's boyhood idol Gordie Howe, were presented during each stoppage of play.

Gretzky, who owns virtually every NHL scoring record, made his retirement official on Friday after strongly hinting at it one night earlier in Ottawa.

Thursday's game was the last in Canada for Gretzky, a native of Brantford, Ontario. He was cheered loudly and often at Ottawa's Corel Centre and virtually all of the sellout crowd of 18,500 refused to leave the building, even after Gretzky made several curtain calls.

Gretzky is the NHL's all-time leader with 2,857 points, 894 goals and 1,963 assists with four teams. He also holds playoff highs with 122 goals, 260 assists and 382 points.

Among his 61 NHL records are 17 single-season marks, and he won nine Hart Trophies as the league's most valuable player. In 1981-82, he recorded 92 goals and four years later totaled 163 assists and 215 points -- all NHL records.

By scoring his 1,072nd goal March 29, Gretzky became the all-time leading goal scorer in hockey history, moving past Howe. The record includes regular-season and playoff games in the NHL and the defunct WHA.

An 18-time All-Star, Gretzky has led the league in scoring 10 times, assists 14 times and goals on five occasions. He won four Stanley Cups with Edmonton in the 1980s.

More important than Gretzky's awe-inspiring statistics has been his off-ice role as hockey's worldwide ambassador.

He was dealt by Edmonton to the Los Angeles Kings on August 9, 1988 in a trade that rocked the sports world. His presence helped establish a foothold for hockey on the West Coast and pave the way for the addition of the San Jose Sharks and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

Gretzky was acquired by the St. Louis Blues in February 1996 for four players. He signed as a free agent with the Rangers the following year.

This has been a trying season for Gretzky, who missed 12 games with a neck injury. New York was a disappointment and at 33-38-11 missed the playoffs for the second straight year.

Despite playing injured for much of the season, Gretzky led the team with 62 points on nine goals and 53 assists in 70 games.

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