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1 Feb, 2016 18:14

Chewbacca, mullets & John Scott - NHL All-Star game highlights

Chewbacca, mullets & John Scott - NHL All-Star game highlights

The NHL All-Star weekend provided plenty of fun, with Star Wars-themed fancy dress, a Jaromir Jagr impersonator, and John Scott proving to everyone just why he deserved to be an All-Star.

Scott was undoubtedly one of the stars of the show. At 6 feet 8 inches tall and not far off 300 pounds, he doesn't fit the NHL's perfect vision of what an All-Star should be, but the enforcer's presence at the event lit up the whole weekend.

Two goals, a 'fight' with Patrick Kane and scooping the MVP award despite not being listed as a candidate, were just rewards for a man whose inclusion as an All-Star started as a joke.

"You can't write this stuff. It's unbelievable," Scott said. "It's definitely been one of the best weekends of my life."

While the NHL's crackdown on fighting in the game has made enforcers something of a dying breed, Scott's colleagues still recognize the role a tough guy plays.

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad said: "John Scott's got a tough job. It's not easy to fight the biggest guys in the league. I have a ton of respect for guys like him. It's not an easy job, it's a scary job."

"It's a little frustrating, seeing him being treated like that," added Buffalo Sabres' Ryan O'Reily. "It's not easy for anyone in this game."

Neglected by the league but respected by his peers, Scott's name was cheered to the rafters by the fans throughout.

Along with his Pacific Division teammates, Scott scooped a share of the $1 million prize pool after beating the Atlantic Division 1-0 in the All-Stars championship game.

He was lifted onto the shoulders of his teammates after being announced as the MVP. Anaheim's Corey Perry scored the game-winning goal.

Pacific had reached the final courtesy of a 9-6 victory against Central Division in the semi-final, with Scott weighing in with a couple of goals.

Atlantic edged Metropolitan Division 4-3 in their semi-final, but the final saw the goalies shine, with John Gibson and Jonathan Quick combining for a 17-save shutout.

The 3-on-3 format was a winner, with the players enjoying the extra space to show off their skills.

Scott may have provided the feel-good story of the weekend, but for sheer entertainment value the undoubted winner was P.K. Subban.

The Montreal Canadiens' defenseman won the Honda Breakaway Challenge dressed as Jaromir Jagr, complete with mullet, Jofa helmet and long pants.

"I just cooked it up once I got to the rink," he said. "I have to give a huge thanks to the training staff. They got me the props and got them ready in time. Everything was last minute.

"That's the way I like to do it. I don't really like to plan anything. Just react off instinct and have fun. That plot came to mind about 25 minutes before we went on the ice."

Subban's second attempt saw him don a Jagr No. 68 Florida Panthers jersey and his trademark flowing mullet. After scoring against Pekka Rinne, Subban celebrated with the familiar Jagr salute.

Jagr praised Subban's efforts: "You don't have to be the best in the world at something, you just have to be different," he said.

"And he is kind of different, and people love it. He's different the right way, the good way - It's good for the fans, they were loving that. All-Star is all about the fans and I'm glad he came. I'm very happy he did it."

Another bright costume idea was Brent Burns' Chewbacca mask. Burns has been compared to the character multiple times due to his unusual hair style. It didn't help him to win the competition, however.

Detroit Red Wings' rising star Dylan Larkin is the fastest skater in the NHL after breaking Mike Gartner's 20-year-old record of 13.386 seconds for a single lap of the outside of the ice surface. Larkin whizzed around in 13.172 seconds to set the new mark.

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