Yandle enjoys NHL All-Star experience
Published: January 30, 2012 @ 9:53am
Phil Kessel, right, of the Toronto Maple Leafs, skates across the finish line ahead of Keith Yandle, of the Phoenix Coyotes, during the fastest skater event at the NHL All-Star skills hockey competition in Ottawa, Ontario, on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Sean Kilpatrick)
The comment by Keith Yandle pretty much sums up his recent trip to Ottawa for the 2012 All-Star Game.
The Coyotes defenseman posted one assist for Team Alfredsson in the 12-9 loss to Team Chara Sunday. Yandle nearly scored his first All-Star goal as well, but a first period shot clanged off the crossbar.
What did Yandle think of his performance among hockey's elite? "It would be like rating yourself in a summer league game, but it was fun, Yandle said, "I had a great time, I met some new guys and it was a great experience."
Even though he had a great time, Yandle didn't enjoy defending Team Chara's best players in center Pavel Datsyuk and wingers Marian Gaborik and Marian Hossa, who ended up combining for four goals and 10 points.
"It was a nightmare, it was something you have bad dreams about," Yandle said to Coyotes reporter Dave Vest, "it was fun seeing them out there but it wasn't fun playing against them."
Yandle also took part in the All-Star Skills Competitions over the weekend, helping his team win the relay, and the fastest skater challenge. During the relay, Phil Kessel of Toronto barely edged out Yandle by .53 of a second.
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