Alex DeBrincat scored twice and netted the shootout’s lone goal to lead Team Matthews to a 6-5 win over Team Hughes in the second semifinal match of the NHL All-Star three-on-three games Saturday in Toronto.
DeBrincat of the Detroit Red Wings ripped a shot inside the far post for the winning tally in the fourth round of the shootout. New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin stopped all four attempts he faced in the shootout, on top of stopping seven of 10 shots he faced in the second half of the clash.
Filip Forsberg of the Nashville Predators scored twice in a three-point performance, while Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs added a single for the team captained by Toronto’s Auston Matthews. Mathew Barzal of the New York Islanders collected three assists.
They will face the team headed by Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid in the championship later Saturday, with the winning team earning a $1 million prize to be given to charity.
Frank Vatrano (Anaheim Ducks) scored twice and added an assist for Team Hughes, while Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning) collected one goal and one assist. Elias Pettersson (Vancouver Canucks) and Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators) also scored in the loss.
Canucks star Quinn Hughes netted three assists for the team he captained. Kyle Connor (Winnipeg Jets) netted a pair of assists in the back-and-forth affair.
DeBrincat evened the score twice in the first half of the game, responding after Kucherov and Vatrano lit the lamp. DeBrincat finishes with three points.
Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (Team Matthews) made eight saves in the first half, including a plethora of breakaway chances. Los Angeles Kings goalie Cam Talbot (Team Hughes) stopped four shots, and had a few ring off the iron.
The roller coaster continued in the second half. Marner gave his squad its first lead of the clash two minutes into the second half, but Pettersson responded a couple of minutes later.
Forsberg tucked home his own rebound just before the midway point of the second half, but Tkachuk replied with three minutes remaining. Vatrano and Forsberg traded goals 30 seconds apart soon after.
Vancouver goalie Thatcher Demko stopped seven shots in his half of action, and three of four shootout chances he faced.
–Field Level Media