For all you who missed it, Sunday afternoon the North American All-Stars took on the World team in Toronto for the 50th annual NHL All-Star game. The World All-Stars romped over North America 9-4. This was the first time in the three years of this format that the World team won.
Providing the offense for the World team was Florida sniper Pavel Bure, who netted a hat trick with a little help from his brother Valeri, who assisted on two of Pavel's goals. The two combined for six points, one more than Rocket and Henri Richard scored in the 1958 game. The Bures are the 12th set of brothers to play in an All-Star game. The elder Bure walked away with the All-Star MVP trophy and a brand spanking new truck for his efforts.
The game provided many storylines worthy of attention. First, the ramifications of the World team's win. As if there were any lingering question, this proves that hockey is truly an international sport. More so than any of the four major pro sports, the NHL draws its talent from a diverse host of countries. No longer is the league dominated by players hailing from Moose Jaw or Parry Sound. Today's stars also come from Prague, Helsinki and Odessa. The infusion of foreign talent into the league provides the NHL with an opportunity to broaden its market. Kids in the Czech Republic idolize Jaromir Jagr and should have the opportunity to follow him. The NHL has an opportunity to benefit not only economically, but also in the overall scheme of things. Let's hope they don't blow their chance.
Second, all those whiners who complain about the All-Star game every year should just sit back and enjoy the game. Granted, the game lacks any semblance of defense or physicality, but it is entertaining. Sunday's game resembled good old pond hockey at times. The NHL is not winning over any new fans with the boring neutral-zone trap that pervades the league these days. Fans pay to see Bure score three goals and Jagr work his magic with the puck. That sort of play puts people in the stands. The coaches of the league should take this lesson away from the All-Star game and open up their play books a bit.
Also, the new format is much improved, and makes for more interesting stories. The old match-ups between the Campbell and Wales conferences somehow didn't get the juices flowing as much as North America versus the World. The newer format adds more passion to the equation. The players are playing for bragging rights and glory as much as anything else. Where else could you see teammates battling it out for opposite teams, or great players from different conferences playing on the same line? This format works, and should be kept.
Is there really a better city to have the game than in Toronto, a great hockey town full of heritage and tradition? Tradition played a big theme in this year's game, with many of hockey's greats present. Another theme was the passing of the torch from aging stars to the younger generation. In the first All-Star game of the post-Gretzky era, The Great One was omnipresent. From the pond hockey promo featuring Gretzky with Gordie Howe, Mario Lemieux , Eric Lindros and Paul Kariya inter alia, to the retiring of his number, to the Bud Light commercials, Gretz was everywhere.
Speaking of aging stars, who does not admire Raymond Bourque? Bourque, playing in his 18th consecutive All-Star game picked up an assist, tying him with Mark Messier for an All-Star record 13 assists. Not only was he impressive during the game, but he won the shot accuracy contest in the SuperSkills competition Friday night. This was Raymond's fourth consecutive win in this contest, and his seventh overall. Bourque serves as a case study in perseverance, dedication, and class for all athletes.
The NHL put on its best face this weekend and exhibited all that is good with the game. The contrast between history and future was quite palpable. The fact that these can coexist in the sport is wonderful. Seeing Gordie Howe on the same ice with his latter-day torchbearers pretty much sums it all up. While the NHL and hockey in general need to look to the future, they can't forget the rich tradition and heritage of the game.
