WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Staals See Mixed Results In NHL All-Star Super Skills Competition

By Guy Curtright

Jan 26, 2008

ATLANTA – The Carolina Huricanes’ Eric Staal warmed up for his first NHL All-Star Game a year ago with a strong performance in the Super Skills competition.

He wasn’t quite as successful Saturday night.

The Carolina center, who tied Atlanta’s Marian Hossa for first place in the shooting accuracy last season at Dallas, was shut out in his two events this time at Philips Arena.

Staal hit the four targets in six shots, but Toronto’s Tomas Kaberle was 4-for-4 in the first round and finished 8-for-9 in winning the accuracy competition.

Staal also didn’t make it past the first round in the shootout event, which was won by Calgary defenseman Dion Phaneuf. Staal hit the post while going against St. Louis goalie Manny Legace.

Younger brother Marc Staal, a defenseman with the New York Rangers, fared better in the Young Stars action. He had a goal and an assist in the 3-on-3 competition as the Eastern Conference won 7-6.

The East won the overall Super Skills title, out-pointing the Western Conference 9-6.

Boston’s Zdeno Chara had the hardest shot at 103.1 mph. Edmonton’s Shawn Horcoff edged Atlanta’s Ilya Kovalchuk and then Buffalo’s Brian Campbell for the fastest skater.

The All-Star Game is Sunday at 6 p.m. in Philips Arena.