NHL Skills Competition: Running Diary

7:23: The West leads with Henrik Sedin, Joe Thornton, Chris Pronger, and Chris Osgood, followed by the East's Jason Spezza, Marc Savard (who was thoroughly booed), Sergei Gonchar and Tim Thomas. So far both goalies have scored!

7:26: Rick Dipietro just scored twice, beating all other goalies, while the East jumps to a 2-1 lead (goals are awarded for individual and team performance during the competitions). On a side note, every one-timer competitor seemed to forget that they had to return to the side of the net to pass the puck to the goalie. Not the best idea when it's a timed competition.

7:31: Following a conversation with Jarome Iginla and Dion Phaneuf talking about the stiffness of their wood...the Fastest Skater Competition. This year, instead of doing a lap, it's merely just a sprint. I guess I'll buy that.

7:36: In a huge surprise, I actually enjoyed this competition! It was close every time, and there was even controversy with who won between Kovalchuk and Shawn Horcoff! Horcoff eventually ended up winning the entire competition, beating Brian Campbell in the finals. West: 3 East: 2

7:41: It's time for the Elimination Shootout! Fresh off of a Newfoundland reference (from Scott Oak: "Go for the Gullies"...if you don't get it, don't ask, even Canadians don't understand Newfies) they get right into it, as Dion Phaneuf proves his dominance. Not only is his first goal a beauty which was led off by a fake slap shot, but he and Manny Legace secure a victory for the West in the finals, as Dion scored (being the lone shooter for the West) and Manny stopped THREE East shooters. This is a comeback of the 2004 Red Sox proportions!! (Okay...maybe not)

For the "Tim McCarver Obvious Sportscaster Comment" award, it goes to the entire CBC for this gem: "In the shootout, Hossa either dekes, or he shoots."

7:58: It's time for the "World's Best Teenage Shinny Game". After an interview, Savard promises to come back and do commentary. For the sake of time, we're fast forwarding.

8:11: It's the end of the first period (6 minutes, running time) and the East is winning 6-2. I'm starting to think that overtime should just be "3-on-3, whoever scores the most goals in 5 minutes wins" in the NHL's regular season.

8:13: Jim Hughson lends Marc Sacard a few color commentary tips: "Whenever you don't know what's going on, just go "OOOHHHH"!!!

8:19: After a couple more "Oh"s from Jim and the boys, the East wraps up a 7-6 win (making this the best Young-Stars game in history by a long shot). This is soon followed by Elliote Friedman and Chris Letang engaging in the single-most awkward All-Star Weekend interview ever. If I was Bill Simmons, this would rank an 84 on the Unintentional Comedy Scale. West: 5 East: 4

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