NHL All Star Game Recap

As the clock ticked down below one minute remaining in the first period of the Western Conference game at the 2016 NHL All-Star Game, John Scott and Patrick Kane found themselves at impasse at center ice. The championship game had me on the edge of my seat rooting for the Pacific (and John Scott), cursing great saves by Roberto Luongo and yelling at Corey Perry to finish for once.

Goalies Jonathan Quick and John Gibson did the unthinkable Sunday: They combined for a shutout as the Pacific Division edged the Atlantic, 1-0, in the National Hockey League all-star championship game at Bridgestone Arena. “You guys have blown me away”, Scott said to the fans.

Beyond the sheer exuberance and joy on his face, John Scott contributed on the score sheet early.

Asked about his teammates saying they wanted to win this game for him, Scott said, “It just gives me goosebumps”.

The 33-year-old Scott was voted Team Pacific captain as part of an internet campaign aimed at poking fun at the tough guy’s career. “Oh, he scored against me, too, so I was happy for him, ” said Predators goalie Pekka Rinne.

The league changed the event’s format after last year’s All-Star Game had 92 shots and a combined 29 goals.

James Neal scored two goals in front of his home crowd in Nashville, and the game was tied 3-3 at the end of the first period.

Now Scott’s helmet is headed to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto and his name was trending on Twitter after a night when he wasn’t listed among the three MVP candidates for a social media vote late in the final game.

As for the MVP award, “he deserved it… t’s not like it was just given to him”, said Florida’s Jaromir Jagr, who played for the Atlantic and had a goal in the semifinal.

Last week, Scott claimed in an article for The Players Tribune that a representative of the National Hockey League tried to talk him out of playing, asking, “Do you think this is something your kids would be proud of?” Scott then recorded two shots on goal in a 1-0 triumph over the Atlantic Division in the final, helping the Pacific Division capture the US$1-million winner-take-all prize.

Team Pacific beat Team Central 9-6 to reach the final, while the Atlantic All-Star’s beat the Metropolitan division 4-3. The altercation, which featured smiles rather than punches, came after Scott delivered a hit on Kane, a rarity in an All-Star Game.

John Scott, All Star Game MVP and Pacific team captain, being hoisted on the shoulders of his also valiant teammates. He said the NHL ALL STAR weekend was the best time of his life.

Giordano had an assist while Gaudreau had a goal and two assists. A big move for him and his wife, who is currently expecting twins any day now. There were still plenty of chances each way, but the intensity felt more like an actual game than any previous year when the game was 5-on-5. “I was wrong”, Roenick said.