Staal Leads East All-Stars to 8-7 Win

Eric Staal scored a goal, had two assists, and won a brand new truck along with MVP honors as he helped lead the Eastern Conference over the Western Conference 8-7 in the 56th NHL All-Star Game last night.

Marc Savard scored the winning goal with only 20.9 seconds left in regulation in a game that saw the West come back from a 5-1 deficit to tie the game in the third.

Rick Nash was impressive with a hat trick. Goalies Evgeni Nabokov and Tomas Vokoun stole the show in the second period with many a spectacular save.

No rough stuff in this one. There hasn’t been a penalty in an All-Star Game since 2000. However Dion Phaneuf did jokingly mention that he was considering throwing a big hit to try and spark the West while they were down early on.

Koci on waivers

TSN is reporting that the Chicago Blackhawks have put enforcer David Koci on waivers.

While it’s a huge blow in terms of overall team toughness, Koci was still finding it hard to get into the lineup even with injuries abound.

Videos added

Drew Fata vs Tim Conboy Jan 19, 2008
Micheal Haley vs Casey Borer Jan 19, 2008
Grant Marshall vs Triston Grant Jan 20, 2008
Stephen Gionta vs Alexandre Picard Jan 20, 2008
Derek Dorsett vs Pierre-Cédrick Labrie Jan 24, 2008
Frederik Cabana vs Micheal Haley Jan 23, 2008
David Bouchard vs Travis Stacey Jan 23, 2008
Mitch McColm vs Garet Hunt Jan 25, 2008

Some reads

Plenty of NHL stretch drive questions
McCarty’s sweetest fight with the Wings’ sweetest revenge
Atlanta fared well as hockey heaven
Will Hockey Ever Get Its Tiger Woods?
NHL all-stars to help celebrate Habs’ centennial