I wanted to live blog tonight’s game but I had a cable fail which, unfortunately, prevented me from watching it live and then, when my DVR recorded a later game, the shootout was cut off because it went over the scheduled time.  Okay, I am finished venting…

Just like last year, the best in the East beat out the best in the West (much to my chagrin) with a final score of 12-11.  There are a lot of videos available on the NHL site but here is the scoring summary followed by the video of the shootout.
ASW: Tkachuk, K. …read more

Did you watch the 2009 NHL YoungStars game last night?  I really preferred the new format with the rookies facing off against the sophomores.  Here are the rosters:

ROOKIES

SOPHOMORES

Patrik Berglund (STL) Mikkel Boedker (PHX) Drew Doughty (LAK) Michael Frolik (FLA) James Neal (DAL) Luke Schenn (TOR) …read more

Wow… as if the opening singing/show wasn’t bad enough (sorry) I can’t believe Roberto Luongo is truly participating in the events tonight.  He missed so much time with a groin injury and just got reactivated from the injured reserve to play with the Vancouver Canucks.  He’s probably fine but I just think it’s taking a big risk when your team is depending on you to help make the playoffs.  He could have taken this extra time to rest like Sidney Crosby did. 
Anyway, back to the event.  Tonight, the 2009 NHL All-Star SuperSkills Challenge is taking place.  I will …read more

This week, I was fortunate enough to participate in a conference call, through Versus, with NHL All-Star, Marc Savard of the Boston Bruins. 

He answered questions about the All-Star game but also about playing for the Bruins (who, with 73 points, are currently tied with the San Jose Sharks for most points in the league).  Marc is having a great season so far.  He has a plus-minus of 28 and has notched 40 assists (fourth in the league) and 16 goals for a combined total of 56 points (sixth in the league). 
He also was just a lot of fun …read more

Pittsburgh Penguins captain, Sidney Crosby, has officially withdrawn from the 2009 NHL All-Star game for the second year in a row after getting a record-breaking number of votes.
People had been speculating over whether Sid would be in the lineup and I know he doesn’t want to disappoint his fans but, ultimately, his team has to come first and this is a sign that he is mature enough to be the captain.  He needs to take the All-Star break, rest that sore left knee and get ready to try to lead his team into the playoffs.
He will be replaced by …read more

The 2009 NHL All-Star game is this weekend.  Are you all geared up?
There’s a pretty great selection of items on the NHL Shop website.  If you buy something today, it probably won’t arrive in time for the All-Star game this weekend but it’s still nice to have something to commemorate the event.  I’m totally checking out one of those hooded sweatshirts.
image: shop.nhl.com

The lineups for the 2009 NHL All-Star game have changed with several big stars dropping out.  In the Western Conference lost Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit), Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit), Erik Ersberg (Los Angeles Kings) and Steve Mason (Columbus).  They have been replaced by Patrick Marleau (San Jose), Stephane Robidas (Dallas) and Pekka Rinne (Nashville).
In the Eastern Conference, Nicklas Backstrom (Washington) and Milan Lucic (Boston) have also backed out.
It’s also looking like Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh) may have to drop out since his team doctors are saying he should rest so that he can be in a better position to help his team make …read more

Awww!  I love this new commercial for the 2009 NHL All-Star game.  The game will be taking place at Montréal’s Bell Centre so it’s only fitting that the ad should have some French in it. 

Not sure if you get it if you don’t understand what’s being said but the words/phrases in the commercial are “au revoir” (goodbye), “excusez-moi” (excuse me), “non” (no), “magnifique” (magnificent/beautiful) and “bienvenue à Montréal” (welcome to Montreal).
The Montréal Bell Centre and the old Forum were the places where I saw all of my early hockey games so I have a real attachment to it.  I …read more

The starting lineup for the 2009 NHL All-Star Game has been announced and I’m relatively happy with the list.  I would have liked to see more Calgary Flames there but I can understand these choices.  I also wish Alex Tanguay (Montreal Canadiens) would be playing but, after getting injured, he was forced to bow out.  I’m crushed.  At least four other Habs will be in the lineup to represent!
Anyway, I love the All-Star Game because it’s just a lot of good fun and it’s a nice way to get to know players that you don’t get to see too …read more

I had seen the Jonathan Toews/Patrick Kane commercials in passing the other day but I decided to dig them up on YouTube this morning so that I could see the whole thing.  I was almost crying I was laughing so hard.  The commercials spoof those U.S. election campaign ads in an effort to increase their votes to get on the 2009 NHL All Star roster. 
Just when I had recovered, I discovered Brian Campbell’s ad campaign.  I was doubled over laughing again.  Too funny!
Toews/Kane

Brian Campbell