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MONTREAL -- It was like a game of pond hockey -- complete with the rule that last shot wins.
Hometown hero Alexei Kovalev -- whose selection to the starting lineup by fan vote was questioned by many outside Montreal -- scored the game-winner in a shootout last night to lead the East to a wild 12-11 win over the West in the 57th NHL all-star game.
Kovalev, who captained the East, also had two goals in regulation and won a Honda truck as the game's MVP in front of a cheering, wildly appreciative sellout crowd at the Bell Centre.
"I was going for it (the truck). It's a dream come true," said Kovalev, who plans to donate proceeds from the sale of the truck to a children's charity. "I wasn't going to miss that one (in the shootout). This souvenir is going to raise a lot of money."
Kovalev, who is third on the Canadiens this season with 33 points in 46 games, said he was proud to represent the Habs in the game.
"This organization is so great," he said. "Not only to be named the first Russian captain of the team was special, but I think the first captain (of the all-star team from the Canadiens) since Larry Robinson. To be part of that kind of history, you can't ask for much better than this."
'JUST HAVING FUN'
Though the game didn't quite match the all-star record of 26 total goals set in 2001 in Denver (a 14-12 win for the North American team over the World team), it was clear defence wasn't at the forefront of the players' minds.
"Just having fun," said Boston's Marc Savard, who had three assists for the East.
The West had a glorious chance to win in the extra frame when Montreal's Mike Komisarek was sent off for hooking -- the only penalty of the game. The teams played 4-on-3 for two minutes.
"He (the official) was looking dead at me with his arm up in the air and he just told me to get the hell to the box," said the big Habs blueliner with a smile. "I knew the penalty-killers were going to come through. It was just one way to get on the scoresheet."
The all-star game is never known for its intensity, and this one was largely uninspiring. But there were a few memorable moments.
Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin, a fan favourite all weekend, made everybody laugh when he got caught checking out the big scoreboard screen, which was showing a couple of women dancing in the crowd.
One of the players Ovechkin is chasing in the scoring race, Pittsburgh Penguins winger Evgeni Malkin, had a couple of highlight-reel plays.
NIFTY MOVES
His first came on a goal at 7:45 of the second when he took the puck from his backhand to his forehand between his legs and beat Minnesota goalie Niklas Backstrom through the five-hole. Later, the gifted winger pulled a lacrosse move, going around a defenceman by flipping the puck over his shoulder and catching it with his stick.
In a contest dominated by highly skilled offensive players, Ovechkin's first-period goal was a thing of beauty. He completed a perfect give-and-go with Savard to open the scoring for the East at 6:26, tying the game at 1-1 after St. Louis winger Keith Tkachuk opened the scoring at 1:16.
The game did tighten up in the third as both sides' competitive instincts took over.
"It was good. The game was close and, at the end, pride was on the line," said Oilers defenceman Sheldon Souray, who had a three-point night in his former home arena.
"This is my third (all-star game), and I haven't been involved in a game as competitive as this one."