The NHL Closer is written by Greg Wyshynski, of The FanHouse and The Fourth Period. He is also the author of Glow Pucks And 10-Cent Beer.

Alexander Ovechkin told me last night that he'll "probably" be involved in this weekend's NHL All-Star "trick shot" competition, which is hockey's version of the NBA slam dunk contest, only relevant. "Just slap shot from blue line. That's it," he predicted, with a laugh. So it's nice to see someone's having a good time with the All-Star Game, because based on attendance and general disposition, many of his peers feel it's an inconsequential nuisance getting in the way of a four-day weekend. Call me old fashioned, but I dig the goofy fun of NHL All-Star Weekend, even if the sport's definition of "star" has been stretched like taffy and the regular season shootout has sucked nearly all the novelty out of the skills competitions. Here are five good reasons why you should dig it too, beginning with the participation of one of my favorite athletic supporters: Alyssa Milano, star of "Poison Ivy 2: Electric Boogaloo."

On the hotties at the All-Star Game scale, she's way above Jewel (2002), and thankfully delays the inevitable Avril Lavigne appearance. There's no questioning Milano's dedication to hockey -- she gave it up to Wayne McBean, for God's sake. There's also no questioning that, as...

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