SUNRISE, Fla. --Sitting at the podium together at FLA Live Arena following NHL All-Star Skills on Friday, Aleksander Barkov was dressed as a lifeguard, while Matthew Tkachuk sported a tropical shirt and boardshorts.
Isn't that what NHL All-Star Weekend in South Florida is all about?
Putting on a show for the home crowd, the Florida Panthers' All-Star duo had a blast while participating in various fun and skill-centric competitions throughout the star-studded event.
"Just to be out there and see the crowd and see the excitement and see all the guys do their thing, that was a lot of fun," Barkov said.
Beach Balls & Bucket Hats: Barkov, Tkachuk have fun at All-Star Skills
Added Tkachuk: "At the end of the day, it's always fun. It's great being around the guys and in the room. I really enjoyed it."
Barkov's first taste of action came during the "Tendy Tandem" challenge, an event in which two goaltenders faced off in multiple challenges, including shooting length-of-the-ice shots and trying to stop various odd-man rushes, including 3-on-0's, 2-on-0's and breakaways.
Going up against New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin on his breakaways attempt, Barkov skated down the slot and attempted to send a shot through the five-hole with the back of the toe of his stick but was unfortunately denied by the NHL's reigning Vezina Trophy winner.
In the "Accuracy Shooting" event, Barkov was tasked with hitting foam targets in all four corners of the net as fast as possible. Receiving a big cheer from the home crowd prior to starting, it took him 25.297 seconds to take down all four targets, which didn't earn him a spot in the final.
"I came in, felt good and wasn't nervous," Barkov said. "I hit the first target, the second one I think I missed, and then the pressure started building a little bit. I kept missing, but it was fun. I got to spend more time on the stage."
After being stopped during the "Tendy Tandem," Tkachuk's second event was shown on the jumbotron as he took part in the pre-taped "Splash Shot" at Fort Lauderdale Beach on Wednesday. A brand-new event built just for South Florida, "Splash Shot" featured four pairs of players firing pucks at surfboard-themed targets before attempting to send their opponents into dunk tanks.
Teaming up with his brother Brady, who was representing the Ottawa Senators, Tkachuk, who was sporting an All-Star bucket hat and a tropical shirt, was sent into the cold water by New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox, who completed the event in 26.5 seconds.
With the surfboards on the other side of the outdoor rink refusing to cooperate, Brady was unable to avenge his brother and beat Fox's time, meaning his teammate, Shesterkin, remained dry.
"I thought that event was really cool," Tkachuk said. "I don't know how well you could see it on TV, but there was a ton of people there. It's been a great turnout the last few days there. That one was really fun to be a part of. It was hot out, so I was pretty fortunate to go into that tank."
For his "Breakaway Challenge," Tkachuk called upon some help.
Skating out in a bucket hat and boardshorts, Tkachuk threw a beach ball into the crowd before heading to center ice. After that, he was joined by Brady, who brought a beach chair, Barkov, who came out in his lifeguard outfit, and Miami Dolphins defensive end Christian Wilkins, who has attended several Panthers home games in the past and has a knack for getting the crowd fired up.
Called upon to man the crease, Panthers legend and Hall of Famer Roberto Luongo came out sporting sunglasses under his mask and carrying a pool noodle instead of his usual paddle.
Putting on scuba goggles, Tkachuk began his attempt by juggling the puck down the slot. About halfway to the net, he threw the puck into the air, caught it in his bucket hat, and then put the hat on the ice. With Luongo diving out of the way, Tkachuk then fired the puck and hat into the back of the net.
"We were hoping it went well," Tkachuk said of his creative goal. "It all happened so fast. Having Christian there, Barky there, Brady there and also Lu there, I thought it was fun."
But apparently one of the judges was anti-fun.
Despite receiving two 10's and one 11 from three judges, the fourth judge, who seemed to be trying to give the Grinch a run for his money, kept Tkachuk from claiming victory in the "Breakaway Challenge" by holding up a "2" as the crowd loudly booed.
"That was a joke," Barkov laughed. "We need to find the guy."
Regardless, both Tkachuk and Barkov felt like winners at the end of the night.
"It felt like we were home," Barkov said of the crowd's support. "That meant a lot to us, for sure."
2023 NHL ALL-STAR SKILLS WINNERS
Fastest Skater:Andrei Svechnikov (Carolina Hurricanes) -- 13.699 seconds
Breakaway Challenge: Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) - 40
Tendy Tandem:Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets) and Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators) - 13 points
Splash Shot:Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen (Colorado Avalanche) - 18.7 seconds
Accuracy Shooting:Brock Nelson (New York Islanders) - 12.419 seconds
Pitch 'n Puck: Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadiens) - 3 shots
Hardest Shot: Elias Pettersson (Vancouver Canucks) -- 103.2 mph
For more on NHL All-Star Week in South Florida, click
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