“Nobody likes losing, but it was a good weekend.”

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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