Russians shine in All-Star Game

The NHL All-Star Game was held in Montreal on Sunday with top Russians on the ice. Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeny Malkin, Aleksey Kovalev, Ilya Kovalchuk, Pavel Datsyuk and Andrey Markov all played leading roles in the show.

Alex Ovechkin sealed a 12-11 victory for All Star East in the shootout. The NHL's reigning MVP also had a goal and two assists. But on this occasion he didn’t secure the MVP honours.

That went to Montreal hero Aleksey Kovalev, who plays for the Canadiens. He scored two goals on the night. He also had an assist along with another goal in the shootout.

He grabbed the top award of the day.

“You can't ask for a better moment than this,” Kovalev said. “I came into this weekend really wanting to do something. I wanted to show the fans what I could do in the breakaway competition [Saturday], but after I didn't win that, I came back and got this. You can't ask for anything more than this in front of your hometown, to get MVP.”

After the game the All-Star players said Kovalev deserved his award.

“In a game of All-Star players with All-Star skills, he stood out by a mile,” said Edmonton defense man Sheldon Souray, who scored twice for the West.

Calgary forward Jarome Iginla also felt Kovalev was the right MVP selection.

“It's great for him and he's very deserving,” Iginla said. “It's not like they gave it to him for sentimental reasons – he deserved it. He played a great game and almost ended it in overtime.”

Actually, Kovalev almost sealed the deal twice in the overtime session.

“Yeah, I hit two posts in the overtime, but that's been my luck this entire season,” said Kovalev, who led his team with seven shots on goal. “The guys on the bench kept telling me to shoot, shoot, shoot. I was out there for a long time in overtime.”

Kovalev became just the second Russian to get the All-Star Game MVP honours. Back in 2000 Pavel Bure, Nicknamed “The Russian Rocket” for his speed and skill, left other challengers behind.

Besides, the 35-yaer-old Russian would also take home the keys to a 2009 Honda Ridgeline truck. However, Kovalev isn’t going to test the new car. The truck will come under the hammer with the proceeds going to charity.