Coming up with a breakaway move is also a challenge

Monday, 01.19.2009 / 2:33 PM / 2009 NHL All-Star Game

By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer

Bobby Orr thinks much like Sidney Crosby does when it comes to dazzling with some style and pizzazz in the upcoming Scotiabank NHL Fan Fav Breakaway Challenge.
   
"I wouldn't know what to do," Orr told NHL.com on Wednesday.
   
Crosby said basically the same thing Tuesday morning, but unlike Orr, he better be able to pull something out of his arsenal come Saturday night when his turn comes up during the main event of the Honda/NHL All-Star SuperSkills Competition.
   
Defending champion Alex Ovechkin has already laid down the gauntlet, claiming he's got a move that will make its debut Saturday night.

"I don't want to tell any of them," Ovechkin said. "It will be a good surprise."

Patrick Kane countered by challenging Ovechkin, saying "I'm coming for you this year, buddy." Known danglers Ryan Getzlaf and Alex Kovalev are also contemplating their moves.

"We have some good guys in it this year," Ovechkin said. "I want to see what Kovalev will do. Of course, I like Russians, but he has some sick moves. And he is at home, with his fans."

Hey, nobody said this was an easy game, but the challenge has been issued to the five superstars. The hockey world will be watching and can't wait to see what they will come up with.
   
And they better come up with something or face the consequences of embarrassment.
   
"We have all grown up trying stuff in practice, goofing around," Crosby said. "Hopefully somebody can pull something off."
   
Ovechkin, Getzlaf, Pavel Datsyuk, Marian Gaborik, Martin St. Louis and Ilya Kovalchuk gave it a whirl last season. Although Ovechkin's spin-o-rama attempt was worthy of the trophy, he didn't put the puck in the net.
   
It didn't matter. The move became the talk of the weekend in Atlanta.
Everyone wanted to see another replay of No. 8 dribbling the puck like a basketball on the end of his stick before smacking it high in the air, doing a complete 360 and then taking a mighty baseball swing.
   
All he hit was air, but the crowd at Phillips Arena went nuts. Ovechkin skated toward the bench with his arms raised while sporting a huge, gap-toothed smile. He was urging the fans to get out of their seats, to roar even louder.

"Even though I didn't score, I think lots of people remember my shot," Ovechkin said, "and kids ask me about it all the time."
   
A year later, Getzlaf, who was a finalist last year, isn't so impressed anymore.
   
"I thought it was a little overrated," the Ducks sniper said.
   
Overrated? If that's what Getzlaf thinks, he better have something to top it.
   
That won't be so easy considering Ovechkin thought his move was quite difficult.

"It's actually pretty hard because you have to control your speed, control your puck, look upstairs and turn and find the puck," Ovechkin said. "And, when you turn around you have to focus on your puck. It's kind of pretty hard. It's a cool style I think."

Kane told the Chicago Tribune that he has a few moves in his mind, "but I'll take any ideas you have for me to try and put them in my arsenal."

 
 
Eight-time All-Star Luc Robitaille has one for you.

"If it was me, I would tape my stick inside out, you know, put the sticky side on the outside,"

Robitaille told NHL.com. "I would ask them to give me a warm puck and I would put the puck right on my stick and skate in like I was playing lacrosse and just shoot it. This is what I would do. Anything is allowed, right?"

Technically, yes. As long the shooters stay within the boundaries of the rules.

They'll each get one minute to work their magic. Upon taking possession, they can go anywhere they want in the offensive zone and make as many attempts as they want within that minute. The end result has to be a shot at the net.

"If it was me, I would tape my stick inside out, you know, put the sticky side on the outside. I would ask them to give me a warm puck and I would put the puck right on my stick and skate in like I was playing lacrosse and just shoot it. This is what I would do. Anything is allowed, right?." -- Eight-time All-Star Luc Robitaille
After each shooter has taken his turn, the polls will open and the fans will have their say. Last year celebrity judges determined the winner. This year, the NHL is leaving it up to anyone in the arena and watching at home.

"For sure you have to try stuff, but there are only so many ways you can flip the puck up," Crosby said. "You want to be original if possible, but there is not too much that guys haven't done. If there is, somebody will find it."

Uh oh, Sidney. You better figure something out or else…

"It's even funnier when the guy tries something and you look like a complete idiot," Kane said. "I'm hoping that's not me."

Nobody wants to be that guy.