Instant offense from Ilya

Kovalchuk nets six in Team Melrose's 13-7 YoungStars win

Rangers goalie Dan Blackburn made only 13 saves on 26 shots in the inaugural YoungStars Game. AP

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- In the first ever YoungStars game, Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk scored six goals -- one on a penalty shot and one shorthanded -- and had an assist as Team Melrose beat Team Fox 13-7.

Kovalchuk had three goals in a 5:11 span in the first period.

"I can't say I took it very seriously," Kovalchuk said through an interpreter. "I just showed everything I could."

The rookie players were divided up randomly and coached by former Kings coach Barry Melrose and Jim Fox, a former Los Angeles forward and current television analyst for the team.

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Dan Blackburn, the 18-year-old Rangers goalie, took the loss -- stopping 13 of 26 shots. Florida's Roberto Luongo stopped 36 of 43 shots for the victory.

Kovalchuk, the top overall pick in last year's draft, scored three straight goals in the first period and added a highlight-reel shorthanded tally late in the second when he poked the puck by a defender at his own blue line, raced down the left side and snapped a shot over the left shoulder of 18-year-old goaltender Dan Blackburn of the New York Rangers.

Kovalchuk also beat Blackburn on a penalty shot late in the third period and added an empty-net goal en route to winning most valuable player honors.

The game featured players under 25 years old in a 4-on-4 format with three 12-minute periods. It replaced the annual Heroes of Hockey old-timers game.

SportsTicker contributed to this story.

 

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2002 Topps/NHL YoungStars Game Roster 2002 NHL All-Star Weekend Schedule 2002 NHL All-Star Game Rosters NHL North American All-Star Vote Totals NHL World All-Star Vote Totals
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