Tampa Hosts the 2018 NHL All-Star Weekend

Caitlin Weaver, Senior Staff Writer

January 30, 2018

This is the first time Tampa Bay has hosted the All-Star game since 1999. (Photo Credit: Caitlin Weaver/ Achona Online)

This year, Tampa was chosen to host the 2018 NHL All-Star Game. The NHL All Star Game is a tournament held annually consisting of the most elite players from each NHL team. The players make up four teams with one from each division: Atlantic, Pacific, Metropolitan, and Central.

Prior to the games beginning, each player was introduced as they came out onto the ice. (Photo Credit: Caitlin Weaver/Achona Online)

The games began on Sunday, Jan. 28 at 3:30 p.m with each game consisting of two 10 minute halves. The first game was the Atlantic Division versus the Metropolitan Division followed by the Central Division versus the Pacific Division. The games resulted in the Atlantic and Pacific Division teams facing off in the final game. The Pacific Division team ultimately won 5-2.

Since each game was shortened to a total of 20 minutes, each team had only four players, including the goalie, at one time. (Photo Credit: Caitlin Weaver/Achona Online)

Four players from the Tampa Bay Lightning participated in the NHL All-Star Weekend including Andrei Vasilevsky, Steven Stamkos, and Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point. The Lightning Head Coach, Jon Cooper, was selected as the Atlantic Division Coach for the tournament.

What a #NHLAllStar Weekend! There was fun for @NHL fans of all ages! Thank you to @TBLightning, @SportsTampaBay & everyone that made this such a special weekend in Tampa!
More pics: https://t.co/kvTcQppJjY pic.twitter.com/5UjZMJrJIn

— City of Tampa (@CityofTampa) January 30, 2018

Both the skills competition and All-Star game were held in Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa. The All-Star Skills competition was held on Saturday, Jan. 27th at 7pm. Festivities lasted all weekend around the area at the fan fest which included free fan activities for both kids and adults.