Indeed. This year we're back to East vs. West instead of North America against the World, and I'm happier for it.
Eastern Conference All-Stars FORWARDS: Martin St. Louis [Lightning], Joe Thornton [Bruins], Ilya Kovalchuk [Thrashers], Robert Lang [Capitals], Mats Sundin [Maple Leafs], Glen Murray [Bruins], Jaromir Jagr [Capitals/Rangers], Mark Messier [Rangers], Daniel Alfredsson [Senators], Jeremy Roenick [Flyers], Keith Primeau [Flyers] & Gary Roberts [Maple Leafs] DEEFENSE: Scott Niedermayer [Devils], Sheldon Souray [Canadiens], Adrian Aucoin [Islanders], Nick Boynton [Bruins], Brian Rafalski [Devils] & Pavel Kubina [Lightning] GOALIES: Martin Brodeur [Devils], Roberto Luongo [Islanders] & Jose Theodore [Canadiens] STARTERS: St. Louis, Thornton, Kovalchuk, Niedermayer, Rafalski & Brodeur INJURED: Devils D Scott Stevens, Senators F Marian Hossa, Senators D Wade Redden
Western Conference All-Stars FORWARDS: Todd Bertuzzi [Canucks], Mike Modano [Stars], Bill Guerin [Stars], Shane Doan [Coyotes], Pavel Datsyuk [Red Wings], Marcus Naslund [Canucks], Jarome Iginla [Flames], Patrick Marleau [Sharks], Rick Nash [Blue Jackets], Keith Tkachuk [Blues], Joe Sakic [Avalanche] & Alex Tanguay [Avalanche] DEFENSE: Rob Blake [Avalanche], Nicklas Lidstrom [Red Wings], Kimmo Timonen [Predators], Chris Pronger [Blues], Mattias Norstrom [Kings] & Filip Kuba [Wild] GOALIES: Marty Turco [Stars], Dwayne Roloson [Wild] & Tomas Vokoun [Predators]
YOUNGSTARS ROSTERS EAST: F Michael Ryder [Canadiens], F Eric Staal [Hurricanes], F Patrice Bergeron [Bruins], F Trent Hunter [Islanders], F Ryan Malone [Penguins], F Derek Roy [Sabres], F Matt Stajan [Maple Leafs], D Joni Pitkanen [Flyers], D Paul Martin [Flyers], D Brooks Orpik [Penguins] & G Andrew Raycroft [Bruins] EAST INJURED: D Garnet Exelby [Thrashers] WEST: F Pierre-Marc Bouchard [Wild], F Joffrey Lupul [Mighty Ducks], F Matthew Lombardi [Flames], F Tuomo Ruutu [Blackhawks], F Raffi Torres [Oilers], F Nikolai Zherdev [Blue Jackets], F Jonathan Cheechoo [Sharks], D Christian Erhoff [Sharks], D Dam Hamhuis [Predators], D Alexei Semenov [Oilers] & G Philippe Sauve [Avalanche]
FLAMES: 26-19-5-3 for 60 points LAST YEAR: 32-35-12-3 for 79 points PACE: 41-30-6-5 for 93 points
The new skills competition event 'In The Zone' does have potential, but this first edition was all over the place. Nash, Lidstrom and Sakic were by far the best trio and hopefully future participants can do a better job at shooting. However, having to make at least two passes and get off a shot in 5 seconds is asking a lot.
I just hope the NHL will stop screwing around with the YoungStars game. Leave it at 4 on 4, please.
I didn't see the YoungStars game, but the Skills Competition and the Game itself were a lot of fun. Props to my guy Aucoin for having a pretty damn good weekend (one goal, winning the slapshot contest), and to Joe Sakic for the hat trick.
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