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KHL All-Star trick shot competition features spins, bribes (Video)

KHL / YouTube
KHL / YouTube

One of my favorite days on the hockey calendar is the day of the KHL All-Star Skills Competition. As we’ve noted in the past, the players really get involved and are happy to have some fun and show a little personality.

Sometimes they even light sticks on fire. Like I said, fun.

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For some reason, the NHL did away with the trick shot competition for next weekend’s All-Star festivities so we’ll just have to enjoy what a few KHL players pulled off Saturday.

First up, Severstal forward Dmitry Kagarlitsky went the juggling route before whipping it in for a goal.

Next we had Good Long Island Boy Matt Gilroy, who felt that bribery was the best method in Russia. It worked!

Vladimir Tkachyov, he of last summer’s javelin attempt, took us back to 2013 when he spun and spun and spun while keeping the puck on his stick.

Finally, we had Pavel Datsyuk, who will be in Los Angeles for the NHL Centennial celebration Friday night, making us miss his wizardry here in North America.

Tkachyov’s spin move would crown him victor of the event and help the East topple the West in the skill competition.

Hopefully whenever the next NHL All-Star Skill Competition is held — maybe 2018 or 2019 — they’ll bring back the trick shot competition. The moves aren’t always successful, but as we’ve seen over the last few events the players do get into it and have some creative fun. What’s more entertaining, Auston Matthews hitting a target from the red line or Brent Burns taking a slap shot while donning a Chewbacca mask?

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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