The competition was a mix of fun and awkward, and the players seemed to enjoy the creativity and challengeGETTY IMAGES
The NHL Skills Competition's Shooting Stars event was the last of Friday night, and the "most unique since it was the only one that didn't take place on the ice, didn't need skates or pads, and featured an entrance through Blues fans from an aisle up to the platform," according to Matthew DeFranks of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS (1/26). The competition, which saw players shoot pucks from the stands onto targets on the ice, was a "mix of fun and awkward," and the players who did participate "all seemed to enjoy the creativity and challenge despite some of the strangeness that comes from such an ambitious undertaking" (BOSTON HERALD, 1/26). USA TODAY's Paul Skrbina noted the debut of the competition "might need some tweaking -- the target farthest from the platform was worth just four points, while the one at mid-ice was worth 10." Blackhawks RW Patrick Kane said, "It's a little gimmicky, but at the same time, try to have fun with it." Kane added that he is "more of a fan of 'traditional' skill competitions, such as the puck-control relay, but said he understands creating nontraditional events can have its advantages" (USA TODAY, 1/25). Kane said that there "wasn't much mathematic strategy involved in the event." He noted that the players all "made a deal beforehand to shoot for the 10-point target" (ESPN.com, 1/25).
MIXED REVIEWS: The Hockey News Podcast addressed the competition, with host Matt Larkin saying, "I give it a C-. It was a neat idea, a little reprieve, but the main thing is, at least from our vantage point in the press box, I couldn't see. ... I didn't know what was going on most of the time." Ryan Kennedy added, "With some minor tweaks it could be a pretty good event. ... I think if they tweak it a bit where the targets are and how the targets are shaped I think it could be a pretty fun event." Ken Campbell: "I really liked the fact that when the guys and the women went up to the platform, they went up through the crowd. They were high-fiving people and ... they had ball caps and they were giving out stuff. That 's a real connection. That's how you connect with people in this kind of situation when you're celebrating the game" ("The Hockey News Podcast," 1/25).
MARK MY WORDS: In San Jose, Curtis Pashelka wrote Sharks F Tomas Hertl "came up with the most viral moment" in the Skills Competition when he "had some fun during the goalie save streak competition, as he donned a Justin Bieber mask" prior to facing Blues G Jordan Binnington. Hertl was "playing on a bet Binnington had made with Bieber earlier this month." Binnington challenged Bieber on social media, saying if the pop singer "could score on him once in 10 shootout attempts, he would dye his hair platinum blonde." Bieber "accepted the challenge, suggesting instead that the loser donates money to the winner's favorite charity" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 1/26). Binnington: "It took me a second to take in what was going on. Got the blood going a little bit" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 1/26).
IT'S A MISSOURI THING: In K.C., Pete Grathoff noted Blues C Ryan O'Reilly "wore a Chiefs helmet during warmups" while Binnington wore a Patrick Mahomes jersey at the NHL's Friday red carpet event (K.C. STAR, 1/26). In St. Louis, Jim Thomas noted Flames LW Matthew Tkachuk "won over the fans by taking off his Calgary jersey before he shot," revealing a "baby blue Cardinals jersey with Yadier Molina's name and number on the back" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 1/26).
HOMETOWN HEROES: SPORTSNET.ca's Luke Fox gave kudos to event organizers for "incorporating Blues legends Brett Hull, Bernie Federko, Wayne Gretzky, Keith Tkachuk, Chris Pronger and Al MacInnis into the festivities, adding a spice of history to the mix." Gretzky joined Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet behind the Pacific bench for the game, Hull co-coached the Central with Blues coach Craig Berube, and MacInnis "clapping a slapshot in jeans with a wood stick to warm up the Hardest Shot was a fantastic touch" (SPORTSNET.ca, 1/26). Hull also "attempted a shot from the stands" during the event (THEATHLETIC.com, 1/25).
