The 2016 NHL All-Star Game was one of the league’s best in a long time, and John Scott made it happen.
Scott was voted into the game by the fans despite being a fourth-line enforcer, and he made the weekend a lot of fun. He scored two goals and helped lead the Pacific Division team to victory, earning MVP honors as a result.
A few of his teammates even hoisted the 6-foot-8 forward on their shoulders after the final.
Here’s a recap of all three games.
Game 1: Atlantic (4) vs. Metropolitan (3)
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang opened the scoring by beating Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo top shelf.
Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby impressed early on, including a breakaway save on Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad. Holtby had several impressive glove saves in this game, and he finished with eight saves on 10 shots.
Panthers forward Jaromir Jagr tied the game with a great goal, finished by a deke that faked out Holtby.
The two teams entered the 10-minute mark tied, which also served as a halftime during which the teams switched ends. Malkin broke the 2-2 tie with a sweet breakaway goal that involved a spin-o-rama move and great patience.
Ekblad beat New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider to even the score 3-3.
There actually was some defense played despite the 3-on-3 format creating a more fast-paced game. Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron consistently backchecked, broke up passes with his stick and cleared his own crease area. It was the typical two-way excellence you’d expect from the three-time Selke Trophy winner.
P.K. Subban put Team Atlantic on top 4-3, and Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop made five saves in the last 1:30 to secure the win. Bergeron played the last 1:50 of the game and made a few nice defensive plays, including a stop of a Ryan McDonagh breakaway attempt.
Detroit Red Wings rookie center Dylan Larkin tallied three assists.Â
Game 2: Central (6) vs. Pacific (9)
James Neal of the hometown Nashville Predators opened the scoring 26 seconds into the game for Team Central. Neal started the game alongside Predators teammates Shea Weber and Pekka Rinne.
John Scott, who won the All-Star fan vote, evened up the score soon after and displayed a sweet celebration. He also received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Rinne took a penalty, giving Team Pacific a 4-on-3 man advantage, and San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski scored on the power play to give his team a 2-1 lead.
After a couple of goals that resulted in a 4-4 tie heading into the second half of the game, Scott and Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane dropped the gloves for a mock fight. It was a pretty cool moment.
Team Pacific started to pull away in the second half. Vancouver Canucks winger Daniel Sedin put his team up 4-3, and then Scott scored his second goal of the game for a 5-3 advantage.
Team Central fought back, though. Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien and Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin each scored goals in an eight-second span to trim the Pacific’s lead to 7-5.
Edmonton Oilers winger Taylor Hall scored to make it 8-5 Pacific after an amazing save from Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson.
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty clinched victory for Team Pacific with an empty-net goal. His team won 9-6.
Game 3 (championship): Team Atlantic (0) vs. Team Pacific (1)
The first half of the final was a goalie duel. Roberto Luongo and Jonathan Quick each pitched shutouts with impressive displays of netminding. Luongo made 12 saves, while Quick made 10.
The tie finally was broken at 3:38 when Anaheim Ducks winger Corey Perry beat Bishop with a wrist shot.
Perry doubled his team’s lead with another goal, but it was waved off after a coach’s challenge because Hall interfered with Bishop in the crease.
It didn’t matter, though, as Team Pacific held on late to secure a 1-0 victory and a share of $1 million.
Thumbnail photo viaChristopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports Images
