Hey Everyone!
As I'm sure you remember one of my posts from a couple weeks about the 2016 NHL All-Star Game where it was a fan vote for the All-Star captains but one of those captains was traded away (and sent down to the minors) and was not allowed to participate in the All-Star Game.
This lead to a lot of backlash on the NHL (also a petition), which made change their minds and allowed him to take part in the All-Star Weekend festivities.
Best thing that's ever happened.
John Scott became everyone's favorite (his jersey was sold out). Like literally, half of the people who turned to watch this past weekend claimed they were only watching because of him. I have to say, I kind of was one of them (even though I was planning to watch it to support Schneider).
Even the people who were still against this whole John Scott fiasco changed their minds after reading his essay (recommend you to read it) he wrote for the Player's Tribune. It changed a lot of people's minds because we saw it from his point of view and showed the NHL really did treat him unfairly.
If you didn't watch the All-Star game, you missed a fun weekend.
I'm going to start with the All-Star Skills Competition since that was the first thing I watched. So the Nashville fans were ready to cheer and boo *cough* Patrick Kane *cough* and they didn't disappoint.
Apparently, before the announcement of the names - Patrick Kane told John (former teammates) that he would get booed and Scott would be cheered. What do you know? It happened:
Not the best video but the camera didn't
really stay on them long enough.
Credit: NHL, NBCSN, & Marshalls Y.
This just shows the type of weekend it was going to be. Now let me tell you something: all the other players too supported John Scott through all this and you will see how.
John Scott took part in the Hardest Shot competition for the skills competition and when he stood at the blue line preparing for his first shot. He received a standing ovation from fans in the stands, as well as from the other players who hit the ice with their sticks as they stood.
Skip to 5:49
Credit: NHL and NBCSN
They knew what he went through. They knew what the NHL did. They knew the fans were right. He deserved to be there just like they were (even if it did start out as a joke). They also know you don't mention a guy's kids and ask if they would be proud of him (read his essay).
It's supposed to be a fun weekend and John Scott is showing that he's having fun. That's the point, right? Ok yes we're supposed to see the skills of the players and they want to win for bragging rights but it's supposed to be FUN. And I'm happy that he was enjoying his time as an All-Star.
Now, let's go to the next day, shall we? The All-Star Game itself. It was a new format: 3-on-3, East vs. West and then the winners of the two games would play each other.
There was a lot of hesitation from fans of the game about this format but to me, I think it made the All-Star Game even more fun (especially adding John Scott in the mix). There was more back and forth. It was just overall a fun weekend.
The first game was Metropolitan Division against the Atlantic Division for the Eastern Conference. Atlantic Division won the game 4-3.
The second game was Pacific Division against the Central Division for the Western Conference. Pacific Division won the game 9-6.
Alright, we're going to talk about the second game as John Scott was the Captain for the Pacific Division and guess what? He scored the first goal! Unbelievable.
Credit: NHL, NBCSN, and HardcoreHockey
It was also the only time the fans cheered for the Pacific division as Nashville Predators are in the Central. But everyone (including the other players) was a John Scott fan this past weekend and month. He also scored a second goal.
I have to say this All-Star Game was the most emotion I've seen on Coach Darryl Sutter's face and it's all because of the fun they were having. He also said that each player requested at least one shift with John Scott. Take that, NHL.
Oh and since John Scott is known for his "enforcer" side, Patrick Kane decided to have some fun with his opposition. Kane scored, after being defended by Scott, and started a playful fight with the guy making the crowd roar (the only time Kane will be cheered in Nashville).
Credit: NHL and NBCSN
Pacific Division reached the final game of the tournament with John Scott as Captain.
The final game of the tournament:
Pacific Division vs. Atlantic Division.
Both have players that everyone wanted to play with: John Scott and Jaromir Jagr (Atlantic Divison). So it was expected to be a good, fun game and it was.
I, unfortunately, didn't see the whole game as I was going back and forth with Grease: Live. But I did turn it on at the right time!
There was no score in the first period (only two periods in All-Star game) but then the Pacific division went ahead to win 1-0 making John Scott the Captain of the winning team of the All-Star Game (something the NHL couldn't have seen coming).
Now, the big question was: who was going to win the All-Star MVP?
Well, I think everyone had one person in mind from the beginning but it really came to mind after he scored the two goals and end up being the winning Captain. But there was a problem. John Scott wasn't even listed as a candidate.
You think the NHL would've learned the first time? Do not upset the fans (and even the players). So what did Twitter universe do?? They wrote John Scott in and started tweeting #NHLMVPScott and I mean, they couldn't say no.
The crowd started cheering "MVP. MVP. MVP" and everyone knew who they were talking about since the Predators' players' team lost. John Scott.
Then the greatest thing happened! As John Scott was being interviewed by NBC Sport Network's Pierre McGuire...well why don't you just watch?
Credit: NHL and NBCSN
Incredible right? It had a very "Rudy" (another underdog but for college football) like moment.
There was no way John Scott wasn't going to be the All-Star MVP which a few minutes later, he was announced as the MVP!
Congrats John Scott!!
Credit: NHL and NBCSN
Everyone was happy for him. Players, fans, his family, and even some sports journalists doubters. It was meant to be. He was meant to have this moment.
John Scott was trending on Twitter for quite awhile during and after the game.
And the best moments weren't with him playing the game. But they were with the people who love him: his kids (who are VERY proud of him, I may add) and there was also a moment with Darryl Sutter's son.
I know there's a video of each but I can't seem to find them but you can do your own search if you would like.
Now do you think with all of this - NHL will learn from this mistake they made. I mean it actually worked in their favor as everyone tuned in to watch for John Scott but still it was for him and the players, not for NHL themselves.
Also - watch NHL is going to now say that there was never a problem with John Scott playing the game. I mean, they're already saying it. But we know the truth and won't let them continue getting away with it - will we? Hmm we'll have to wait and see.
I saw a post on Facebook or Twitter, can't remember which one, but they suggested that we should be able to vote a "John Scott" type of player for every All-Star game now to give them a chance at a fun weekend like he had. It made the atmosphere even more lightning than anyone thought it would be. I am in favor of this (as long as they don't get mistreated).
Because of this past weekend and the story of the last month, there should already be a script being made because I for one would definitely go see this as a Hollywood movie.
I mean look at it:
1) Leading the Vote
2) Not wanting to Go
3) Still leading
4) Wanting to Go now because of his family and friends
5) Voted in the All-Star Game
6) Excited to Go. Showing off his gloves
7) Asked to drop out of the game (bringing his kids into it)
8) Getting traded away and sent down to AHL (minors)
9) Being told that he can't play
10) Then the fans stick up for him
11) Now able to play in the game
12) Getting one of the most Loudest Cheers of the game
13) Scoring two goals
14) Winning the All-Star Game
15) Winning the All-Star Game MVP
16) Gaining respect from everyone
Sounds like a good Hollywood movie to me. I mean, it's been done before for other underdog athletes but it's time for a good hockey story like this one. So, who's writing it now?
It's a great story to be told and I'm glad that I was on John Scott's side as he didn't disappoint.
Again, congratulations to John Scott for showing everyone that even the underdogs can make it to the top. And way to make your kids proud of you!
Until Next Time
CGoerlich <3
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