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East reigns over West as Eastern, Western Conference clash in All Star game
St. Paul, Feb 09: The Eastern Conference defeated the Westen Conference 6-4 on Sunday.
St. Paul, Feb 09: The Eastern Conference defeated the Westen Conference 6-4 on Sunday.
Mark Messier, the oldest player in the game, scored a goal and had an assist to lead the Eastern Conference to a 6-4 win over the Western Conference in the 54th NHL All-Star Game on Sunday. The 43-year-old New York Rangers star turned back the clock to help the East win the wide-open game that featured no penalties called and little hitting, typical of most All-Star Games in recent years. Daniel Alfredsson of the Ottawa Senators added two goals and an assist as East coach Pat Quinn showed a sense of humour by playing him on the same line with Toronto Maple Leafs rivals Mats Sundin and Gary Roberts. Roberts also scored for the East, while Sundin added a pair of assists. Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche led the West with three goals and was named the game's Most Valuable Player for which he was awarded a new truck.
For one night the labour dispute looming on the horizon was forgotten as the NHL's best players engaged in an entertaining contest freed from the stifling defensive play employed during the regular season.
While the game itself holds little significance, in recent years it has provided a stage for emerging stars.
This year's mid-season showcase was expected to feature the talents of 19 year-old Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets, the first teenager since 1992 to play in an All-Star Game and Thrashers Russian sensation Ilya Kovalchuk.
But it was Messier, the third-oldest player ever to participate in an All-Star Game, who grabbed the early initiative setting up New York Islanders Adrian Aucoin for the first goal to give the East the early 1-0 lead.
Playing his 15th contest, Messier would add a goal in the second period to move past the legendary Gordie Howe into third place on the most career All-Star points list with 20 to leave him trailing only Wayne Gretzky (25) and Mario Lemieux (23).
After a slow start, the game produced the offensive fireworks the crowd had come to see.
Ilya Kovalchuk of the Atlanta Thrashers scored the other East goal. Phoenix Coyotes Shane Doan had the other goal for the West, which out-shot the East 32-29.
Bureau Report
Mark Messier, the oldest player in the game, scored a goal and had an assist to lead the Eastern Conference to a 6-4 win over the Western Conference in the 54th NHL All-Star Game on Sunday. The 43-year-old New York Rangers star turned back the clock to help the East win the wide-open game that featured no penalties called and little hitting, typical of most All-Star Games in recent years. Daniel Alfredsson of the Ottawa Senators added two goals and an assist as East coach Pat Quinn showed a sense of humour by playing him on the same line with Toronto Maple Leafs rivals Mats Sundin and Gary Roberts. Roberts also scored for the East, while Sundin added a pair of assists. Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche led the West with three goals and was named the game's Most Valuable Player for which he was awarded a new truck.
For one night the labour dispute looming on the horizon was forgotten as the NHL's best players engaged in an entertaining contest freed from the stifling defensive play employed during the regular season.
While the game itself holds little significance, in recent years it has provided a stage for emerging stars.
This year's mid-season showcase was expected to feature the talents of 19 year-old Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets, the first teenager since 1992 to play in an All-Star Game and Thrashers Russian sensation Ilya Kovalchuk.
But it was Messier, the third-oldest player ever to participate in an All-Star Game, who grabbed the early initiative setting up New York Islanders Adrian Aucoin for the first goal to give the East the early 1-0 lead.
Playing his 15th contest, Messier would add a goal in the second period to move past the legendary Gordie Howe into third place on the most career All-Star points list with 20 to leave him trailing only Wayne Gretzky (25) and Mario Lemieux (23).
After a slow start, the game produced the offensive fireworks the crowd had come to see.
Ilya Kovalchuk of the Atlanta Thrashers scored the other East goal. Phoenix Coyotes Shane Doan had the other goal for the West, which out-shot the East 32-29.
Bureau Report