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2012 National Hockey League All-Star Game

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2012 NHL All-Star Game
123 Total
Team Chara 336 12
Team Alfredsson 333 9
DateJanuary 29, 2012
ArenaScotiabank Place
CityOttawa
MVPMarian Gaborik (NY Rangers)
Attendance20,510
← 2011 2015 →

The 2012 National Hockey League All-Star Game, (also known as the 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game)[1] took place on January 29, 2012, at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa.[2] This edition of the All-Star Game featured the "fantasy draft" format first seen in the previous 2011 NHL All-Star Game. The participating players voted for team captains, selecting Daniel Alfredsson of the All-Star host Ottawa Senators and Zdeno Chara of the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins, himself also a former Senator.

The event marked the first time the city of Ottawa hosted an NHL All-Star Game. Ottawa has hosted two NHL Entry Drafts, a Stanley Cup Finals and the World Junior Championships all in the past five years. It marked the 20th anniversary of the Ottawa Senators joining the NHL. It was the second All-Star Game that Canada has hosted in the past three years,[3] as the Montreal Canadiens hosted it in 2009. Winning goaltender Tim Thomas became the only goaltender in NHL history to win four consecutive All-Star games.

Rosters

[edit]

Fan balloting

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Voting for NHL all-star players started on November 14, 2011. Online voting required fans to register with the NHL.com web site, with votes limited to 30 votes per "platform", i.e. desktop computer, web-enabled mobile devices and SMS text. Fans were presented a list of 127 players, sub-divided into Forwards, Defence and Goaltending. Three forwards, two defence and one goaltender could be selected from the League-wide list of players. The selection of League-wide list of players was done in 2011, which used the "fantasy team" format.[4]

After voting closed, Erik Karlsson was the leading vote-getter with 939,951. Senators fans voted in force, electing not only Karlsson but all three forwards as well (Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek) to the starting lineup. The only skater not coming from the hometown Senators was Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf beat out Senators defenceman Sergei Gonchar by only 11,305 votes. Reigning Vezina and Conn Smythe Trophy winner Tim Thomas was elected as the fan-voted goaltender.[5]

Number
# Name Pos. Team Votes[6]
11 Daniel Alfredsson RW Ottawa Senators 897,055
19 Jason Spezza C Ottawa Senators 817,483
9 Milan Michalek LW Ottawa Senators 743,977
65 Erik Karlsson D Ottawa Senators 939,951
3 Dion Phaneuf D Toronto Maple Leafs 614,933
30 Tim Thomas G Boston Bruins 626,540

Draft

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After naming the remaining All-Stars, the participating players voted for team captains, selecting Daniel Alfredsson of the hosting Ottawa Senators and Zdeno Chara of the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins. Alfredsson's team would wear white, while Team Chara would wear blue. The NHL named the coaches: head coach Claude Julien, and assistants Doug Houda, Doug Jarvis and Geoff Ward of the Boston Bruins for Team Chara; and John Tortorella of the New York Rangers and Todd McLellan of the San Jose Sharks as co-coaches for Team Alfredsson.

The draft of the players took place on January 26, 2012, from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm, Eastern time. It was held at the Théâtre du Casino du Lac-Leamy, in Gatineau, Quebec. Team Chara won the puck flip and selected first.

Rookies

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Source: NHL.[7]

Withdrawn

Prior to the draft several players withdrew due to injury or personal reasons:

Number
Nat. Name Team Pos. Reason and replacement
Finland Mikko Koivu Minnesota Wild C Left shoulder injury, replaced by Jordan Eberle[8]
Russia Alexander Ovechkin Washington Capitals LW Voluntary withdrawal because of suspension (although the All-
Star Game does not count as a game with respect to
suspensions), replaced by James Neal[9]
Canada Jonathan Toews Chicago Blackhawks C Hand injury, replaced by Scott Hartnell[10]
United States Dustin Byfuglien Winnipeg Jets D Knee injury, replaced by Kris Letang[8]
Canada Adam Henrique (rookie) New Jersey Devils C Groin injury, replaced by Carl Hagelin on rookie roster[11]
Canada Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (rookie) Edmonton Oilers C Left shoulder injury, replaced by Nick Johnson on rookie roster[8]
Sweden Adam Larsson (rookie) New Jersey Devils D Wrist injury, replaced by Raphael Diaz on rookie roster[11]

Game summary

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The game was played from 4pm until 7pm local time. It was broadcast nationally in Canada on CBC, and in the United States on the NBC Sports Network. Singer-songwriter Outasight performed "Tonight Is the Night" during the player introductions. Canadian rapper Drake performed during the second intermission. The Voice season 1 winner Javier Colon sang the American national anthem while retired Ontario Provincial Police officer and Ottawa Senators anthem singer Lyndon Slewidge accompanied by the Governor General's Foot Guards Band sang the Canadian national anthem in English and French.

Team Alfredsson 9 – 12
(3-3, 3-3, 3-6)
Team Chara Scotiabank Place (20,510)
Ottawa, Ontario
First period
4:34 Gaborik (Datsyuk) Referees:
5:38 Malkin (Iginla) Eric Furlatt
10:09 Gaborik (2) (Hossa, Suter) Brad Kovachik
Spezza (Girardi, Michalek) 10:36 Linesmen:
H. Sedin (Hartnell, Letang) 12:51 Tim Peel
Tavares (Pominville, Yandle) 13:49 Derek Amell
Second period MVP: Marian Gaborik
1:23 Gaborik (3) (Hossa, Datsyuk)
3:33 Lupul (Kessel)
Pominville (Neal, Stamkos) 7:17
Alfredsson 14:33
Alfredsson (2) (D. Sedin, H. Sedin) 16:04
18:24 Kane (Eberle)
Third period
4:12 Kessel (Campbell)
Michalek (Tavares, Spezza) 5:21
7:45 Iginla (Malkin, Perry)
Giroux (Hartnell, Couture) 9:40
12:04 Hossa (Datsyuk)
12:20 Chara (GWG) (Gaborik)
13:26 Perry (Iginla, Wideman)
D. Sedin (H. Sedin, Alfredsson) 14:20
15:33 Lupul (2) (Seguin, Kessel)

WTim Thomas LBrian Elliott

  • Missed Penalty Shot: Stamkos, TAS, 16:33 first.
  • Shots on Goal:
    • Team Alfredsson: 14-15-21-50.
    • Team Chara: 12-13-19-44.

Source: NHL.[12]

SuperSkills Competition

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The competition was held at Scotiabank Place on January 28, 2012 between 7pm and 10pm local time. It was broadcast nationally in Canada on CBC, and in the United States on the NBC Sports Network.

Fastest Skater

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In this event, pairs of skaters raced each other simultaneously on parallel courses on the rink. Each race was worth one point for their winning racer's team, and the fastest two skaters then had a final race for another point.

Heat Team Alfredsson Time (sec) Time (sec) Team Chara
1 Kris Letang 14.501 14.826 Brian Campbell
2 Jonathan Quick 16.939 17.514 Jimmy Howard
3 Carl Hagelin 12.993 12.963 Colin Greening
4 Keith Yandle 13.731 13.203 Phil Kessel
5 Erik Karlsson 13.021 13.343 Marian Hossa
Final Hagelin 13.218 13.303 Greening
Event score: 4–2 Team Alfredsson
Overall score: 4–2 Team Alfredsson

Breakaway Challenge

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In this competition, competitors skated with the puck and attempted to score on the opposing team's goalie. The winner was also judged on their presentation. The winner was determined by SMS messages sent to the NHL. The winner, Patrick Kane, donned a Superman cape and Clark Kent-style glasses, skated in and dove to the ice, passed the puck from his left hand to his stick held in his right hand and scored. Runner-up Corey Perry threw away his stick and gloves and removed a hidden mini-stick from his equipment. He then skated in and deked out the goaltender with his stick. Kane, in his second attempt as Superman, shot a puck designed to explode into pieces.

Team Alfredsson Vote % Vote % Team Chara
Sean Couturier 9% 1% Ryan Johansen
John Tavares 8% 47% Patrick Kane
Logan Couture 5% 29% Corey Perry
Event score: 1–0 Team Chara
Overall score: 4–3 Team Alfredsson

Accuracy Shooting

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In this event, competitors were positioned in front of the net, and were passed the puck from two players situated behind the goal line. The players had to hit targets at the four corners of the net in the fastest time.

Heat Team Alfredsson Time (sec) Time (sec) Team Chara
1 Matt Read 14.011 20.929 Cody Hodgson
2 Jason Spezza 18.639 30.092 Tyler Seguin
3 Steven Stamkos 44.684 13.583 Jamie Benn
4 Daniel Sedin 21.459 15.846 Marian Hossa
Final Read 16.361 10.204 Benn
Event score: 3–2 Team Chara
Overall score: 6–6

Challenge Relay

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In this competition, teams were selected from each side. Each player on the team had one skill to complete before the next player could start. The goal was to complete the relay in the fastest time.

Heat Team Alfredsson Time (min) Time (min) Team Chara
1 Group 1
Nick Johnson (One-timer passer)
Shea Weber (One-timer RH)
Kris Letang (One-timer RH)
Steven Stamkos (One-timer RH)
Henrik Sedin (Passing accuracy)
Milan Michalek (Puck control)
Logan Couture (Stick handling)
James Neal (Target shooter)
2:28 2:45 Group 1
Ryan Suter (One-timer passer)
Dennis Wideman (One-timer RH)
Jarome Iginla (One-timer RH)
Joffrey Lupul (One-timer RH)
Patrick Kane (Passing accuracy)
Pavel Datsyuk (Puck control)
Gabriel Landeskog (Stick handling)
Marian Gaborik (Target shooter)
2 Group 2
Alexander Edler (One-timer passer)
Keith Yandle (One-timer LH)
Scott Hartnell (One-timer LH)
John Tavares (One-timer LH)
Daniel Sedin (Passing accuracy)
Craig Smith (Puck control)
Claude Giroux (Stick handling)
Jason Pominville (Target shooter)
2:08 2:14 Group 2
Jordan Eberle (One-timer passer)
Dion Phaneuf (One-timer LH)
Zdeno Chara (One-timer LH)
Jamie Benn (One-timer LH)
Kimmo Timonen (Passing accuracy)
Raphael Diaz (Puck control)
Evgeni Malkin (Stick handling)
Phil Kessel (Target shooter)
Event score: 3–0 Team Alfredsson
Overall score: 9–6 Team Alfredsson

Hardest Shot

[edit]

In this competition, players skated in from the blue line, and slapped a puck as fast as possible on the net.

Heat Team Alfredsson Speed (mph) Speed (mph) Team Chara
1 Justin Faulk 95.9 98.3 Luke Adam
2 Daniel Alfredsson 101.3 95.3 Dennis Wideman
3 Jason Spezza 100.5 97.9 Dion Phaneuf
4 Shea Weber 104.9 108.8* Zdeno Chara
Final Weber 106.0 107.0 Chara
Event score: 3–2 Team Chara
Overall score: 11–9 Team Alfredsson
* denotes record

Elimination Shootout

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In this competition, players attempted to score on the opposing team's goalie. Players who scored earned a point for their team for each goal they scored. Players were eliminated from the competition if they failed to score.

Team Alfredsson Result Result Team Chara
Round 1
Carl Hagelin Save Save Colin Greening
Steven Stamkos Goal Save Pavel Datsyuk
John Tavares Goal Goal Evgeni Malkin
Jason Spezza Goal Save Corey Perry
Claude Giroux Save Save Tyler Seguin
Daniel Alfredsson Goal Save Marian Gaborik
James Neal Save Save Patrick Kane
Milan Michalek Save Goal Jarome Iginla
Jason Pominville Goal Save Jamie Benn
Kris Letang Goal Save Joffrey Lupul
Erik Karlsson Save Goal Kimmo Timonen
Daniel Sedin Save Save Ryan Suter
Round 2
Steven Stamkos Goal Save Evgeni Malkin
John Tavares Goal Save Jarome Iginla
Jason Spezza Save Save Kimmo Timonen
Daniel Alfredsson Save
Jason Pominville Goal
Kris Letang Save
Round 3
Steven Stamkos Goal
John Tavares Save
Jason Pominville Save
Event score: 10–3 Team Alfredsson
Final overall score: 21–12 Team Alfredsson
  • italics = Heat winner
  • bold = Event winner
  • each heat and event winner earns a point for their team

Source: NHL[13]

All-Star Weekend

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In conjunction with the Game and the Skills Competition, events were held from January 26 through January 29. The NHL held a "Fan Fair" at the Ottawa Convention Centre. The Fan Fair had displays of the NHL's trophies, autograph signings, interactive displays and presentations and broadcasts by the NHL's SiriusXM and NHL Network partners. Team and All-Star Game merchandise and memorabilia was also for sale. Events were held on the Rideau Canal, at Confederation Park and at the Byward Market. Ottawa's annual Winterlude winter carnival opened its site at Confederation Park one week early for the game weekend.[14] Activities include:[15]

  • NHL Trophy Procession on the Rideau Canal Skateway
  • Ice Sculptures at Confederation Park
  • Nightly DJs at Confederation Park
  • Energizer Night Skate at NHL All-Star on the Rideau Canal Skateway
  • All-Star Concert in The Cabin at The Great Canadian Cabin nightclub in the Byward Market
  • Canadian Tire NHL Junior Skills National Championship on the Rideau Canal Skateway

Weather conditions forced the closure of the Rideau Canal to public skating during the weekend. The trophy procession and junior skills competition were able to be held on the canal according to schedule. The Energizer Night Skate was moved to the Rink of Dreams ice rink nearby.[16]

Interest in the four-day festivities broke records across the board in terms of North American television ratings and digital consumption, according to figures released by the NHL. Across North America, 17.7 million viewers tuned into all or part of NHL All-Star Weekend events, including the Molson Canadian NHL All-Star Fantasy Player Draft held at the Hilton Lac Leamy. Those events were televised on CBC, TSN and RDS in Canada, and by the NBC Sports Network in the United States.

In Canada, CBC recorded its highest viewership for the NHL All-Star Game and skills competition since the current system of audience measurement was instituted in 1989–90. In all, 10.2 million viewers tuned into at least some part of CBC's coverage, representing 30% of the Canadian population. Meanwhile, the player draft attracted 1.34 million viewers on TSN and another 254,000 on RDS. A total of 3.7 million unique viewers saw at least part of the telecast.[17]

References

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  1. ^ "Tim Hortons secures title sponsorship of 2012 NHL All-Star game" (Press release). National Hockey League. October 31, 2011.
  2. ^ Lozo, Dave (September 15, 2010). "NHL announces Ottawa as 2012 All-Star Game host". National Hockey League.
  3. ^ Hirsch, Mike (September 15, 2010). "Ottawa to Host 2012 NHL All-Star Game". BlueLineStation.Com.
  4. ^ "2012 NHL All-Star Fan Balloting". NHL. November 14, 2011. Archived from the original on October 18, 2011. Retrieved November 14, 2011.
  5. ^ "Four Senators Voted Starters for the NHL All-Star Game". TSN. The Canadian Press. January 5, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
  6. ^ "Host Senators have 4 All-Star Starters". ESPN. January 5, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  7. ^ "2012 NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft results". January 26, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c "Oilers' Eberle added to All-Star Game for injured Koivu". The Sports Network. January 23, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  9. ^ "Ovechkin opts out of NHL All-Star Weekend". NHL.com. January 24, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  10. ^ "Flyers' Hartnell in for Toews on All-Star roster". NHL.com. January 24, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  11. ^ a b "Hagelin, Diaz in for Devils' duo Henrique, Larsson". NHL.com. January 25, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  12. ^ "NHL All-Star Summary". January 29, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
  13. ^ "2012 Molson Canadian NHL All-Star Skills Competition format, scoring & rules". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
  14. ^ "All-star celebration fulfills Sens owner's promise" (Press release). Ottawa Senators. September 15, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
  15. ^ "2012 NHL All-Star Game Schedule of Events - 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game". NHL.com. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  16. ^ "Energizer Night Skate at NHL All-Star". Ottawa Senators Foundation. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
  17. ^ "All-Star Weekend huge hit with fans on air, online". Ottawa Senators.