Today in Astana during the KHL All-Star week, leagues best players met on the ice to participate in skills competitions. Some of the highlights of the whole thing were Nigel Dawes showing up in a full costume of a ''Hat-Trick'' king and a Sochi player Pavel Padakin showed up to do his speed contest in a Superman's gear.
Team Chernisov division forward Dawes received standing ovations from his home crowd and won the shootout contest even though he managed to score on only one of his two opportunities.
Король хет-триков на "Ð‘Ð°Ñ€Ñ‹Ñ Ðрене"! #KHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/k7qijk2rfN
— КХЛ (@khl) January 13, 2018
Meanwhile, Team Tarasov rep Padakin took part in the fastest lap contest outside the competition, and he was unsuccessful in his attempt to beat last years lap record set at 12,45 seconds set by Enver Lisin.
Ð”Ð»Ñ Ð´Ñ€ÑƒÐ·ÐµÐ¹ он @PavelPadakin. Ð”Ð»Ñ Ð²Ñего мира – СочимÑн. #KHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/9EtoYbIrUh
— КХЛ (@khl) January 13, 2018
It goes without saying that we should talk about the guy who actually had to win the shootout contest - Vegas Golden Knights prospect Nikita Gusev was the only player to shut the lights out with his move.
Nikita Gusev with a sick move on his penalty shot attempt at the KHL All-Star game. pic.twitter.com/gAZuw2KUhi
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) January 13, 2018
And while we are talking about NHL prospects - Vancouver's own Nikita Tryamkin had his own role in the event as well. He did some work on the broadcast as a cameraman.. although his tenure in the broadcast world was cut short, as he wasn't good enough to do the job, he was quickly assigned to photographing duties.
Just in case #Canucks fans were wondering what Nikita Tryamkin was up to these days.. pic.twitter.com/8wuZX6q8KK
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) January 13, 2018
Eeli Tolvanen vs Kirill Kaprizov in speed relay was also fun to watch, things couldn't get any closer to them.
Eeli Tolvanen vs Kirill Kaprizov - battle of the prospects at the fastest skater event. pic.twitter.com/4a2NpbUtMp
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) January 13, 2018
Dancing! Yes, dancing happened just like days prior to the Woman's Hockey Leagues all-star game, this time it turned for referees to show what they are made of.
Skills competition begins with.... a dance from referees. pic.twitter.com/OEGdcjKrtB
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) January 13, 2018
Overall Team Harlamov Division took home the victory.
The All-Star game itself will take place on January 14th hosting an 3-on-3 tournament between divisions.