The NHL 2012 All-Star Weekend was about the stars, but it was really all about Alfie. Ottawa’s love affair with its superstar NHL player encompasses every aspect of what makes a love story great: a long term relationship, ups and downs, heart, integrity, pride and lots of great memories. More of these memories were made during the NHL 2012 All-Star Weekend, with Ottawa and the Ottawa Senators taking centre stage.
Among the highlights of the Skills competition: Chara gave all the goaltenders in the NHL sleepless nights when his hardest shot clocked in at an outstanding 108.8, annihilating Chara’s previous record which was closer to 106. Patrick Kane donned a cape and glasses in a classic Superman/ Clark Kent get up, but Corey Perry’s tiny stick was the show stealer, despite Kane getting the nod. Carey Price’s team les Canadiens have not been doing well this season, but he gave the crowd lots of reasons to love le grand club with his easy humour and on ice antics, including a brilliant back to the shooter stop, which was as funny as it was entirely unintentional.
The All-Star Game’s highlights included the Swedish Line of Daniel to Daniel to Henrik, as Alfie took the line with the Sedins, a hockey nerd’s dream team which is only otherwise experienced via ESPN’s video game. Scott Hartnell’s hilarious sense of humour and spirited ‘Suck it Phaneuf!’ was almost enough to make a Flyers fan out of anyone. And pulling his own weight in that department, Joffrey Lupul did his fair share of entertaining, calling the game and smiling through the boos.
Steven Stamkos took a rare penalty shot, while the star of the game was Marion Gaborik, who, if you remember from the draft, almost defected to Team Alfredsson after turning the wrong way on stage. Turns out that his little error would have won Team Alfredsson the game as he got a hat trick on the day and was given the game MVP.
The final score was 12-9 for Team Chara, but the accolades went to Captain Alfredsson at the end of it all. The hometown hero had a great game and a great weekend and the city had just as much fun being a part of it. Being the star of the NHL All-Star Game in the city that loves him may be the final feather in Alfie’s cap as his future with the game still remains undecided. But whether or not he plays one season, two, or none to come, he will always have this weekend to remember.
About the Author
Subscribe to author's RSS feed
Written by Mika Oehling
Office worker and sports nerd. Cannot play a professional sport to save my life, but love to write. Prone to rants, raves, snarky humour and caustic commentary. My team's the Ottawa Senators. Author of Armchair Hockey, a work of humourous fiction released this year and available for sale online at Chapters and Amazon.
