All-Stars Live Up to Their Billing

The NHL announced the starters for next month’s All-Star game and a sellout crowd of 19,983 got a preview when the Ducks and Detroit Red Wings faced off at Joe Louis Arena.

The North American team’s starting forward line was on the ice--left wing Paul Kariya of the Ducks and winger Brendan Shanahan and center Steve Yzerman of Detroit.

The World team was represented by Detroit Coach Scotty Bowman, Red Wing defenseman Niklas Lidstrom and Duck right wing Teemu Selanne.

Detroit led the league with three players selected by the fans to start the Feb. 6 game at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre. The Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs each had two players selected.

If Saturday’s game was any indication, give the early edge to the North Americans.

Yzerman scored twice in the third period and Shanahan had a first-period assist in Detroit’s 5-3 victory.

Kariya’s short-handed goal, on a laser beam from the left wing, gave the Ducks a brief 2-2 tie 2:21 into the third period.

Yzerman then scored the go-ahead goal at the 3:30 mark. Shanahan assisted on Pat Verbeek’s goal 51 seconds into the game. Lidstrom had a short-handed goal in the third period.

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Detroit’s Igor Larionov wasn’t voted to start, but he should make the World all-star team if for no other reason than he makes players around him much more effective.

Larionov set up two goals, including Yzerman’s first, with terrific passes from behind the net.

The remainder of the World all-star team will be announced Wednesday. The rest of the North American team will be announced Thursday.

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The Red Wings’ checking line of Kirk Maltby, Kris Draper and Darren McCarty remains sidelined by injuries. Maltby has been out for 40 games because of a hernia. A broken wrist has sidelined Draper for 20 games. McCarty has been sidelined for 26 games because of a groin injury.