West Crowned MRFHL All-Star Champs

Mikko Rantanen scores two goals and the Western Conference registers an unbelievalbe 81 shots to better the East 9-3 in front of a sold out crowd at Scotiabank Arena.

As predictions rolled in during the live-streamed pre-game show ahead of puck drop, the vote was split as to which team would take it.  Construction of the rosters were left in the hands of two of the league's most capable general managers, Stu from St. Louis and Jarrald from Carolina, but when blades hit the ice, only one of the two groups looked like they belonged.

Play could only be described as hesitant to start off, with the West testing Eastern Conference netminder Jeremy Swayman from the permieter, and the Eastern Conference being happy to just control the puck rather than shoot.  It took nearly nine minutes for the first goal when Florida's Mitch Marner slid one past Thatcher Demko, but then the flood gates openned. Colour commentator Remy Nadeau rightly posed the question shortly after the goal if the East had 'poked the bear?'  Indeed it seems, the bear had been poked.

On the West's 18th shot of the game — still in the first period — Mark Stone potted the first of nine for the visiting team in red, a greasy, bouncing puck that hit just about every leg on the ice before finding the net.  But as the old addage goes, they don't ask how, they ask how many.  Josh Morrissey gave the West their first lead 48 seconds later with a blast from the half boards, beating an otherwise impressive Jeremy Swayman on the shot side.

"I did absolutely everything I could," the Carolina goaltender said post-game, "but at times it felt like I was the only one playing out there."  Swayman and the Eastern Conference All-Stars exited the ice after 20 minutes down 2-1 but more critically being outshot 26-10.

Following an eye-raising, and frankly sultry performance from Tate McRae during the first intermission, the East attempted to mount a comeback when Dylan Strome leveld the score at 2-2 at 13:50 with a quick snapper past Demko.  It seems unfortunately that's where the fight died for the boys in blue, as Shane Pinto scores on the team's 38th shot to once again regain the lead.  Goals followed from Mikko Rantanen (2), Sebastian Aho, Alexander Ovechkin, Nathan MacKinnon and Leon Draisaitl bringing the total to nine while only Strome would respond for the East with his second tally of the contest.

"It's really crazy to think about," Nathan MacKinnon who finished with 16 hits and nine shots remarked.  "We all thought we were going to get more of a push-back from the East, they talked a really big game during warm-ups only to lay an egg as soon as the clock started.  All I gotta say is real gamers game."

Ukko-Pekka Luukkanen was pulled after allowing four goals on 15 shots, and departs Toronto with a .733 save percentage, by far the worst in recent MRFHL All-Star history.  "I play, but I don't feel like it was my best game. I could not hold, hold, hold onto it. Ya know, I tried to defend, others weren't doing it, but you know I feel like I can only be expected to play one position," said the Finnish goaler in a deflated tone, only to end his post-game comments with a confusing remark, "but I know we'll bounce back and get them next game."

It wasn't all bad news for the Finns, as Mikko Rantanen was named All-Star MVP.  The St. Louis Blues superstar finished the game with two goals, three poitns and a plus-five on the night.  "They're all good players, very good players" Rantanen said about his Western Conference teammates.  "We just knew when we got skating we could win.  It's the little things, the experience we have, it all came together."

Then entertainment portion of the evening was rounded out by a second period performance by Drake, who ended his set early after the sounds of fans boo'ing was louder than the artists himself.  To close the festivities Fall Out Boy took to the ice to perform their greatest hits, although the mostly Eastern Conference crowd had long left the game, the stadium unfortuantely being only half full by the time the third period started.

"Listen, am I pleased with the result? Of course not" stated Toronto General Manager and lead of the All-Star Toronto Organizing Committee (ASTOC), Clayton Hansler.  "But all of us had a job to do.  I believe Toronto put on one helluva show.  We saw a better turnout than the league has seen in years, and we put all the pieces in place for the biggest All-Star Game ever.  But the rules clearly state that I could not also be the Eastern Conference General Manager, so if you want to talk about team construction and performance, then I suggest you go chat with Jerrald and his group."

That wasn't the only jab taken on Sunday night.  Edmonton Oilers GM Tanner Braithwaite, who refused to attend All-Star after none of his players were selected for the team, reportedly hurled accusations at Hansler regarding alleged bribery of league officials to secure the All-Star bid.  While these reports are unconfirmed a league source who has requested to keep his identity anonymous implied that Braithwaite is sour becuase Edmonton was unable to win the bid.

The league returns to play with 10 games including an original six matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks, as well as a duel between Colorado and St. Louis, whose General Managers were both part of the Western Conference All-Star front office.

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