The game itself was painful to watch, as was the squirm-inducing draft that started all-star weekend off awkwardly as Logan Couture and Jamie Benn waited to see who would be the last man taken.
But putting a mic on Scott Hartnell was a good idea, especially when he was skating with the Sedins, Hartnell making fun of the bad passes he was making and then finally clicking with the twins, setting up Henrik Sedin’s goal in the first period.
Hartnell and Joffrey Lupul’s banter throughout the game was one of the rare delights of the afternoon, because whatever the all-star game is, it isn’t hockey as it’s meant to be played.
It was fun seeing the young players flock to watch Drake perform, too.
Daniel Alfredsson joined the Sedins and they combined for a goal from the Ottawa captain in the second period, a pretty four-way passing play in the third period that included Kris Letang, Alfredsson ringing the puck off the post at the conclusion, and a classic Henrik-to-Daniel goal late in the third.
Henrik and Alfredsson tied for the team lead for points with three each
It was also jarring to see players stay out on the ice for such long shifts – everyone averaged over a minute per shift, the three Canucks all coming in around 1:30.
It wasn’t the type of hockey suited to Alex Edler’s game or personality and he was quiet.
But he and Shea Weber were the only defencemen on their squad who were plus (both were a team-high plus-2). It would be nice to think the two could pair up for the Canucks, but that’s what events like Sunday’s all-star game are for – to feed fantasy, display what-ifs and have some harmless fun.
Back to reality: The Blackhawks then the Red Wings visit Rogers Arena this week, then the Canucks play 10 of their next 13 games on the road.
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