Islanders' Mathew Barzal, Rangers' Vincent Trocheck and Igor Shesterkin part of team that wins All-Star tournament and $1 million
NHL All-Star Team Matthews forward Auston Matthews, of the Maple Leafs, and teammate Mathew Barzal, of the Islanders, celebrate after winning via shootout against Team Hughes during the NHL All-Star Game 3-on-3 tournament in Toronto on Saturday. Credit: AP/Frank Gunn
TORONTO — Peter Laviolette expected to hear some trash talking from his Rangers players as they traveled back to New York on Saturday night.
The coach ran Team Connor McDavid’s bench in the All-Star Game final at Scotiabank Arena. The Rangers’ Vincent Trocheck and Igor Shesterkin, along with the Islanders’ Mathew Barzal, were part of Team Auston Matthews, which won, 7-4, to earn $1 million.
“Yeah, we’re flying back together,” Trocheck said, laughing. “There will be some chirping on the plane.”
“I’m sure,” said Laviolette, who coached in his fourth All-Star Game.
All in good fun, except competitors are going to compete, especially with money on the line to split among the winners.
The revamped All-Star Weekend format for the three-on-three tournament had the four captains, including the Canucks’ Quinn Hughes and the Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon, drafting their teams on Thursday. Maple Leafs superstar Matthews, who had two goals and an assist in the title game and was named the All-Star MVP, wound up selecting the three New York players.
“It makes it worthwhile when you come here and you win,” Barzal said. “I thought it was pretty entertaining. Guys were putting in pretty good efforts tonight. It was fun.”
NHL All-Star Team Matthews goaltender Igor Shesterkin, of the Rangers, stops NHL All-Star Team McDavid forward Connor McDavid, left, of the Oilers, during the NHL All-Star Game 3-on-3 tournament in Toronto on Saturday. Credit: AP/Frank Gunn
Barzal had a goal and two assists in the final against Team McDavid, making up somewhat for the Edmonton superstar dominating Friday’s Skills competition, including edging Barzal in the fastest skater event.
Trocheck had an assist and Shesterkin, playing the first of two periods, stopped seven of 10 shots.
“Just to be here, it’s something special,” said Shesterkin, in the All-Star Game for the second straight year.
Team Matthews advanced to the final with a 6-5 shootout win over Team Hughes in their opener. Shesterkin stopped seven of 10 shots in the second period of that game, then turned aside all four shootout attempts he faced, poke-checking the puck away from the Canucks’ J.T. Miller on the final try to seal the win.
NHL All-Star Team Matthews forward Mitch Marner, left, of the Maple Leafs, celebrates with forward William Nylander, of the Maple Leafs, and forward Vincent Trocheck, of the Rangers, after his goal against Team McDavid during the NHL All-Star Game 3-on-3 tournament in Toronto on Saturday. Credit: AP/Nathan Denette
“Igor was good enough to win,” said Laviolette, acknowledging there were some concerns with seeing Shesterkin take part in a shootout. “I’m sure it’s in everybody’s mind a little bit. But these guys always do a good job of preparing themselves warming up and being ready to go. Even though it’s a different situation, a different environment, they did a really good job of just being ready.”
Barzal had three assists and was a plus-4 in the win over Team Hughes. Trocheck had an assist.
“The first game, it’s a little feel-out,” Barzal said. “Once the game is tight and getting close to the end, you start turning it up.”
Three times in the two games, Barzal shifted the puck through his legs before shooting. Three times, he failed to score on the move.
Finally, Barzal scored the last goal of the event, connecting from the slot on a two-on-none to give Team Matthews a 7-4 lead with 1:06 remaining in the title game.
“I was actually mad at myself on the second one,” Barzal said. “Like, ‘What am I doing? Like, enough. Enough.’ Just weird opportunities presenting itself where it’s really the only thing I have. I’m oh-for-three, so maybe I’ve got to put it away.”
Barzal mainly skated with the Predators’ Filip Forsberg, who totaled three goals and two assists in the two games, and the Coyotes’ Clayton Keller, who totaled a goal and three assists.
Trocheck’s trio was completed by the Maple Leafs’ Mitch Mariner (two goals) and Matthews (two goals, two assists).
“It was so much fun,” said Trocheck, a two-time All-Star. “There’s so much skill on the ice on both sides. I’m just trying to soak it all in. I was so nervous, especially the first game. I had to take a while to soak it all in and shake off the nerves. You want to play hockey. It was kind of like shinny out there.”
Trocheck called the All-Star Weekend special because he was able to share it with his young children. During the games, he said he constantly looked into the stands to find Leo, 5.
Likewise, Shesterkin spoke of sharing this weekend with his family.
“I can’t wait to see them,” the Russian said. “Because I didn’t see them after the game.”
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
