Wow. What a finish!
Team Staal pulled its goalie with a little more than a minute to go in the game and Team Lidstrom made it pay almost immediately as Loui Eriksson scored in the open net to make it 11-9. It was Eriksson's fourth point of the night.
But Team Staal refused to go quietly into the Raleigh night. Team Staal captain Eric Staal scored with 33 seconds left to make it 11-10. It was Staal's second goal of the game.
The Staals pressed for the equealizer for the final 33 seconds, but Tim Thomas was up to the challenge and earned his third career All-Star victory in as many appearances.
What a game and what a perfect ending to a perfect weekend here in Raleigh.
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