More All-Star Games

After an exciting finish to the NHL All-Star Game last night, capped off by a Marc Savard game-winning goal with 21 seconds remaining, the AHL All-Star Game goes tonight in Binghampton, New York at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. The AHL held their Skills Competition last night, and there were several records equalled and broken during the event. However, unlike the NHL, the AHL didn't radically change their Skills Competition in terms of the events. Was it as entertaining? That's debatable. However, there certainly were some good performances put on by the AHL All-Stars.

I'm going on record right now to say that selling each event to some stupidly-named CCM/Rbk product has to be the worst idea ever. The event should be the marquee, not the company that bought it. I guess the AHL must be looking for some additional dough because the names of these events are downright stupid. But I digress....

Canadian forward Marc Mancari of the Rochester Americans blew away the AHL record, and the other competitors, for the hardest shot last night by recording a speed of 102.8 mph in the Rbk O-Stick Hardest Shot event. The next closest shooter was PlanetUSA's Jonathan Ericsson of the Grand Rapids Griffins who was the only other skater to break the century mark with his 100.1 mph shot.

Manchester Monarchs forward and PlanetUSA representative Gabe Gauthier became only the second AHL player to go 4-for-4 in the Rbk Sickick Stick Accuracy Shooting. I guess this is why he keeps being recalled by the Los Angeles Kings.

Iowa Stars forward and PlanetUSA representative Toby Petersen won the CCM U+ Skate Fastest Skater event with a time of 14.001 seconds. The 2008 AHL All-Star Game is Petersen's second time as an All-Star.

Albany River Rats forward and PlanetUSA captain Keith Aucoin won the InGlasCo Puck Control Relay event. This is Aucoin's third appearance at the AHL All-Star Game, and his first as captain.

Milwaukee Admirals goaltender and PlanetUSA representative Pekka Rinne won the Rbk XPulse Top Goaltender award in stopping 16 of 19 Team Canada shots. This is Rinne's second appearance at the AHL All-Star Game.

Overall, PlanetUSA won their fourth Skills Competition in the last five years, and look to continue their winning ways tonight. Coverage from Binghamton begins at 7:00 p.m. ET on Rogers Sportsnet in Canada, a series of regional networks in the United States, and at no charge via B2 Networks’ video webcast on the AHL website. The game can also be heard live on XM Satellite Radio.

Don't forget: Hockey Blog In Canada's one-year anniversary Essay Contest continues! You have until the clock strikes midnight on February 1, 2008 to get your essays in! All the details can be found here. Judging from the number of entries I've received so far, someone is going to get a pile of free schwag, or everyone is still working. I hope it would be the latter, but you never know.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!