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When I was a young boy, I played the silver ball. I also enjoyed, among other things, the NHL All-Star Game that came midway through the season. The annual tradition of the NHL's (supposed) best players coming together for an event that was almost certainly going to shower us with goal totals in the double digits? I'm in.
IT'S REALLY CALLED THE "SUPERSKILLS" COMPETITION
Since 1990, the NHL has taken an extra day before the All-Star Game to highlight the skills of the NHL's best, and brightest. Granted, there have been some hiccups along the way. Who could forget the iconic YoungStars games, lasting from 2002 until it mercifully belched out its last bit of hot air in 2009? What about the awesome rail-cam experience that came with the game? WHERE ARE THE GLOWING PUCKS?
RELAX
Perhaps due in part to my growing up to be a disgruntled adult over the past decades, but I've determined the All-Star Weekend to be a fun event for kids and adults who are kids at heart. Still, in 2017, it's a pretty good chance to see Connor McDavid showcase his talents even if the event is nothing but a dog and pony show.
The show starts at 5 PM Mountain on CBC and Sportsnet. Get primed beforehand, you're probably gonna need it.
ACCURACY SHOOTING
One of my favourite events on All-Star Weekend is the accuracy event. Ray Bourque does it really nice here. Tonight, Connor McDavid and Patrik Laine will go head-to-head to earn points for their All-Star team. I don't know a single person who cares about the points, but seeing if McDavid can break Daniel Sedin's record of all four targets in 7.3 seconds will be worth about eight seconds of your time.
FASTEST SKATER
I'm struggling to think of a player with more explosiveness than Connor McDavid. I don't think it takes more than two seconds for him to get from the goal line to the red line. Fortunately, there's an event for that. With that being said, Connor McDavid is going to absolutely blow the doors off of the event against Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon in this event. Both players will start on opposite sides of the red line and circle the rink exactly one time. Put your rent on this one. It's not going to be close.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS
Try bourbon. Hey, whatever gets you through the night.