The 2012 NHL All Star Weekend continues Saturday afternoon as the NHL Skills Competition gets underway at 1:00pm PT on NBC Sports Network. The Skills Competition will be announced by Dave Strader (play-by-play) and Eddie Olczyk (analyst), who will be joined by Pierre McGuire and Jeremy Roenick as on-ice reporting and player interviews. Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury and Keith Jones are the NBC Sports studio analysts for the event.
The San Jose Sharks are represented by Logan Couture, who will take part in the Breakaway Challenge and the Skills Challenge Relay.
The Breakaway Challenge involves three shooters (one Rookie and two All-Stars) & one goalie from each team with the rookies going first, followed by the All-Stars. Shooters can start their routine from anywhere in the offensive zone and have full access to the offensive Zone, including behind the net. NHL penalty shot rules do not apply. Each skater will attempt 3 shots and players alternate after each skater attempts 1 shot. The in-arena and television audiences will vote via text message for their choice of winner. There is one point available with the shooter getting the highest fan vote earning the point.
Couture is on Team Alfredsson with rookie Sean Couturier, fellow All-Star John Tavares and goalie Brian Elliott. Here is an EA Sports demo of the event:
The Skills Challenge Relay features 16 players from each team with two rookies and 14 All-Stars. Players will handle a specific skill in this contest with Logan Couture covering stick handling for Team Alfredsson.
G Series NHL Skills Challenge Relay
One-timer passer: Nick Johnson
One-timer right-handed: Shea Weber
One-timer right-handed: Kris Letanf
One-timer right-handed: Steven Stamkos
Passing accuracy: Henrik Sedin
Puck control: Milan Michalek
Stick handling: Logan Couture
Target shooter: James Neal
One-timer passer: Alex Edler
One-timer left-handed: Keith Yandle
One-timer left-handed: Scott Hartnell
One-timer left-handed: John Tavares
Passing accuracy: Daniel Sedin
Puck control: Craig Smith
Stick handling: Claude Giroux
Target shooter: Jason Pominville
Here is an EA Sports demo of the event: