NHL All-Star Weekend Has Something for Everyone

             I have never really been a major hockey fan, but over the past few months I have begun to watch more and more. My girlfriend is a huge hockey fan and both her brothers have and still do play hockey. I also remember my dad telling me about when he was little watching the Chicago Blackhawks in black and white on WGN, cheering on such greats as Phil Esposito, Bobby Hall, Stan Makita and of course one of the greatest enforcers of all, Keith Magnason. I’ve gone from not really understanding what was going on and just wanting to see someone get checked hard into the wall, to now starting to understand formations and tactics that have helped me to really start to enjoy the game a whole lot more.

The NHL All-Star weekend was held January 25-27.  I had never watched an All-Star game when it came to the NHL, but this one had something for everyone.  There was an entire weekend of festivities including a fan fair, skills competition in six events- fastest Skater, Premier Passer, Puck Control, Accuracy Shooting, Save Streak, and Hardest Shot, and of course the All-Star game. I was blown away with the talent and the number of fans who were attending the game. It was better than most of the other All-Star games because at least it was competitive. The Metropolitan All Stars won the game 10-4, Sidney Crosby was named MVP of the game. He scored 4 goals, and also had 4 assists to go along with his goals. The Metropolitan All Stars won the four team tournament, which has been going on now for four years. Also, while watching I was able to witness something truly historical. A woman, Kendall Coyne Shofield, competed in the speed contest as the first female competitor in a skills contest ever. This was pretty awesome, and it shows how far sports have come since the beginning of title 9 being created. All of the men who were watching were blown away and were happy for Coyne. It just went to show that no matter who you are what race or sex someone is, if you can compete you will get respect.

Overall, I truly think that I will continue to watch the NHL All-Star game because it was a blast. I am glad that I have started to become a hockey fan and that I can go to some of my girlfriend’s little brothers’ games. It is exciting to watch and has truly made me a fan of a game that I never thought in a million years I would truly understand.