Columbus John Tavares scored four goals and Jakub Voracek finished with three goals and three assists as Team Toews defeated Team Foligno 17-12 in the 2015 National Hockey League All-Star Game.
Sunday’s contest featured almost no defence and there was very little sympathy for the goaltenders, which translated into a record 29 total goals in front of a crowd of 18,900 at the Nationwide Arena, home of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“There were some really nice goals and entertaining hockey,” said Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews. “We got off to a hot start. We got the last laugh tonight.
“It was a fun weekend. A lot of different experiences.”
The 2001 showcase contest in Denver held the previous mark of 26 combined goals as Team North America beat Team World 14-12.
Toews scored the record setting marker to make it 16-11 with 5:39 left.
Toews and Patrice Bergeron both finished with a goal and four assists, while Filip Forsberg, Rick Nash and Tyler Seguin tallied two goals apiece. Corey Crawford - the last of three goaltenders to give up four goals - stopped 14-of-18 shots in the third period to earn the victory.
Crowd favourite Ryan Johansen from Team Foligno picked up the MVP award, pacing his side with four points, including two goals. Johansen plays for the hometown Columbus team.
Patrick Kane and Steven Stamkos added two goals and one assist apiece, while Claude Giroux totalled three points on a goal and two assists. Team Foligno goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury took the loss, giving up seven goals on 16 shots in the second period.
