Oliver Ekman-Larsson finishes fourth in the Passing Challenge
Jan 28, 2018, 1:03 PM
Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) during the Skills Competition for the NHL All Star game festivities Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. The game takes place Sunday afternoon. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
(AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Oliver Ekman-Larsson led the NHL Skills Competition Passing Challenge for a brief moment before conceding the crown to Alex Pietrangelo of the Blues.
The Coyotes’ defenseman took advantage of some lucky bounces and had one of the more eventful rounds in the competition.
The competition featured three sections of passing challenges and on the very first section Ekman-Larsson got the crowd going.
While attempting to complete a pass to his last target in the section, he bounced his pass off another puck that had ricocheted off the boards on a previous pass, right into the target.
He was much smoother in the give and go section and nailed his last four passes in a row during the final saucer pass section to put himself in the lead.
Later in the challenge, he was passed by Eric Staal of the Minnesota Wild, Pietrangelo and Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ekman-Larsson finished ahead of Pacific Division teammate Drew Daughty of the Los Angeles Kings who finished the challenge in last place.
The Coyotes’ only all-star also got a chance to participate in the Save Streak Challenge where skaters take turns trying to score on penalty shots against the goalie.
His only breakaway in the competition was a backhand attempt stopped by the glove of Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck.
