Big Names to Miss 2012 National Hockey League All-Star Game –NHL Update
The 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season matchup is only a few days away, being scheduled for Sunday, January 29, 2012, which will certainly be one of the best yet and his highly anticipated by the thousands of fans in the Canadian capital, Ottawa.
There is a catch though, which is that a number of big name players will not be participating in the contest due to their various injuries which have forced them to stop playing for the time, while one has a suspension on his name.
Edmonton Oilers will be playing without their top 2011 NHL Entry Draft pick, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who will also miss his first career All-Star Game due to a reported to be shoulder injury, having limited him to only 38 games played so far but still having
a 35 point (13 goals, 22 assists) record.
Chicago Blackhawks captain, Jonathan Toews, will also not be participating in the contest due to an undisclosed injury acquired by him in the last few games before the ASG break was supposed to kick off.
The Blackhawks were certainly hoping of a much better representation from their side but since Toews has been reported as unfit for the time being, he will certainly be one of the biggest missed attractions on the ice.
Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals’ captain, was suspended during their Sunday night game against Pittsburgh Penguins for his hit on one of their defensemen, which resulted in the three-game announcement.
According to the NHL rules, Ovechkin could have attended despite the suspension but he chose not to himself in order to stay out of any potential conspiracy that might hatch up later on.
"My heart is not there. I got suspended, so why (do) I have to go there?" Ovechkin said. "I love the (All-Star) game. It's a great event. I love to be there".
The 2012 All-Star Game will also be missing Pittsburgh Penguins captain, Sidney Crosby, as well, who left quite before the other mentioned due to his reoccurring concussion symptoms, which have certainly been the reason of problem for him.
Not having these stars on the ice will certainly be something missed, but that does not mean that match will not be exciting.
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