Crosby scored four goals and eight points in his MVP performance on SaturdayGETTY IMAGES
Penguins C Sidney Crosby was named the NHL All-Star Game MVP after leading the Metropolitan Division to the title at SAP Center on Saturday, but he was "one of a handful of players" -- including Ducks G John Gibson and Maple Leafs C John Tavares -- that were "soundly booed by the capacity crowd of 17,562," according to Curtis Pashelka of the San Jose MERCURY NEWS. Crosby "sat out Friday's skills competition due to illness, and local fans noticed" (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 1/27). In L.A., Helene Elliott wrote Crosby at age 31 "defied the NHL's trend toward youth by scoring four goals and eight points" in his MVP performance (L.A. TIMES, 1/27). On Long Island, Mark Herrmann wrote speed and youth were the "themes of an eventful All-Star Weekend that featured consistent booing" of Tavares, who "turned down the Sharks" in free agency last summer. There was also "raucous cheering" for Gold Medal-winning U.S. F Kendall Coyne Schofield, who "brought down the house when she competed in the Fastest Skater contest during the Skills Competition on Friday night" (NEWSDAY, 1/27).
THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER: The TIMES' Elliott noted the three-on-three format for the All-Star Game was "successful again, producing 40 goals in three games and dozens of spectacular passes." The round-robin tournament is "exciting, and the potential of playing in two mini-games creates quick camaraderie among players" (L.A. TIMES, 1/27). In S.F., Al Saracevic wrote the format is a "high-scoring, appealing form of hockey that rewards speed and shot-making ability." It is "much more compelling than the lackluster, no-defense games of the past." Saracevic: "You have to give the NHL points for trying something different. You listening NFL? If your All-Star game sucks, do something about it" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/27). In Toronto, Michael Traikos wrote the NHL should let women play in the All-Star Game, as they "clearly have the skill to play with the men." Invite 12 of the "best women from the CWHL and NWHL to the event, placing three on each team" (TORONTO SUN, 1/27).
POSSIBLE RETURN? In Buffalo, Mike Harrington asked, "What about Buffalo as an All-Star host?" It has been 41 years since the city last hosted the event at the old Memorial Auditorium in '78. But Buffalo's "best chance to host someday would be by holding a Fan Fair in a new downtown stadium/convention complex." It "doesn't seem feasible the NHL would come to a city with such a small exhibition space." When fans "attend one of these events, they're massive" (BUFFALO NEWS, 1/27).
