In an evening in which several tests of the Skills Competition were presented in a jerky way, several results surprised Friday evening.
Brock Nelson won the marksmanship event despite Connor McDavid’s perfection, Cale Makar fell in the fastest skater event and the NHL attempted to introduce a few new events.
Fans even got to see Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby pair up in the breakaway contest. However, it was neither the Caps forward nor the Penguins forward who stole the show in their attempt.
“We’ve been opponents for a number of years, so teaming up tonight is very special,” Crosby said in an interview with PK Subban seconds before heading off.
“It’s good for hockey,” added his Russian colleague.
Then, they called on young Sergei Ovechkin to join them in throwing them. Ovi’s son scored to give a perfect 40/40 score to the Crosby-Ovechkin trio and allow them to win.
“Everyone enjoyed it,” Ovechkin said. Sergei was very happy, always smiling. ”
“It’s good that his son is a part of it,” Crosby said. And that ‘Lu’ was there too. I didn’t think I would have to face him again. ”
Roberto Luongo took out his pads during this event to participate in the trials of Mitch Marner and Matthew Tkachuk.
Results of the breakaway event
Sidney Crosby (PIT) and Alexander Ovechkin (WAS) – 40 points
David Pastrnak (BOS) – 38 points
Matthew Tkachuk (FLO) – 33 points
Mitch Marner (TOR) – 21 points
In the more traditional events, McDavid shone in the first round of marksmanship, hitting four targets in as many shots. He needed just 9.497 seconds to complete his lap, the only one under 10 seconds.
Then in the semi-finals, McDavid was again perfect with four targets on four shots… the problem was that Nazem Kadri hit his four targets in a faster time.
So it was Kadri who reached the final to face Brock Nelson. The Islanders forward finally had the upper hand.
Results – Marksmanship Round – Preliminary Round
Connor McDavid (EDM) – 9,497
Brock Nelson (NYI) – 12,126
Artemi Panarin (NYR) – 13,235
Nazem Kadri (CGY) – 13,459
Nikita Kucherov (TB) – 18,147
Kevin Hayes (PHI) – 22,377
Vladimir Tarasenko (STL) – 25,062
Alexander Barkov (FLO) – 25,297
Jack Hughes (NJ) – 32,324
Leon Draisaitl (EDM) – 36,956
While Cale Makar suffered a fall, Andrei Svechnikov won the fastest skater event, the first event presented Friday evening for the Skills Competition.
The Hurricanes forward got the better of Kevin Fiala in the final of the event. The two players were the only ones to clock under 14 seconds in the first round, earning their tickets to the final.
In the final, Svechnikov clocked 13.699 seconds to improve on his time, while Fiala crossed the finish line in 14.114 seconds.
Svechnikov succeeds Jordan Kyrou, who won the event last season with a time of 13.550.
Makar was the first to go and he fell behind the net, destroying his chances of victory.
The record holder in this event with a time of 13.172 in 2016, Dylan Larkin was unable to stand out and finished second to last with a time of 14.558.
Results – Fastest Skater
Andrei Svechnikov (CAR) 13.757 (13.699 in the final)
Kevin Fiala (LA) – 13.997 (14.114 in the final)
Chandler Stephenson (VEG) – 14,197
Dylan Larkin (DET) – 14,558
Hold Makar (COL) – 22.304
Pettersson has the most powerful shot
The hardest shot event, which is expected every year, was won by Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson.
The 24-year-old forward fired two shots over 100 MPH, including a 103.2 MPH shot to give him the win.
Called up to replace Tage Thompson to represent the Buffalo Sabers, defenseman Rasmus Dahlin took second place with a shot that reached 102.3 MPH.
Alexander Ovechkin, who competed in his second race of the evening, finished fourth.
“He’s probably the all-time leading scorer,” Pettersson said of the Capitals captain. No pressure I just tried to hit as hard as I could. ”
Results – Hardest Precision Shot Event
Elias Pettersson (VAN) – 103.2 MPH
Rasmus Dahlin (BUF) – 102.3 MPH
Josh Morrissey (WPG) – 96.7 MPH
Alexander Ovechkin (WAS) – 95.1 MPH
Seth Jones (CHI) – 94.7 MPH
Other results
Trial for goalkeepers
1- Connor Hellebuyck (WIN) and Juuse Saros (NAS) – 13 points
2- Stuart Skinner (EDM) and Logan Thompson (VGK) – 11 points
3- Linus Ullmark (BOS) and Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL) – 9 points
4- Ilya Sorokin (NYI) and Igor Shesterkin (NYR) – 6 points
Alex Carpenter, Hilary Knight, Emily Clark, Rebecca Johnston and Sarah Nurse were invited for this test.
“Splash shot” test
1- Mikko Rantanen (COL) and Cale Makar (COL)
2- Adam Fox (NYR) and Igor Shesterkin (NYR)
3- Brady Tkachuk (OTT) and Matthew Tkachuk (FLO)
4- Sidney Crosby (PIT) and Nathan MacKinnon (COL)
