Bruce Bennett/Getty ImagesOttawa, Ont. - How would you like to stand in front of a 108 miles per hour slap shot? Boston Bruins defenceman Zdeno Chara shattered his previous record in the NHL’s hardest shot competition with a record 108.8mph shot. The old record was 105.9mph, which Chara beat with shots of 106.2, 106.7, 106.9 and 107 mph. The runner-up in the competition Shea Weber also broke the previous record with a shot of 106mph.
Chara, who played for the Ottawa Senators for four season told the sold out Scotia bank crowd that “I had some great years in Ottawa and I wanted to break the record here.” The comment earned Chara a standing ovation from the fans and I’m sure it will earn him a few cheers the next time he comes back to Ottawa with his Boston Bruins.
Breakaway Competition
Despite winning the hardest shot, Team Alfredsson defeated Team Chara 21-12 in the skills competition. Patrick Kane won the fan breakaway contest with his Superman impression when he flopped to his belly on the ice and then decked Brian Elliott, by reaching back and poking the puck into the corner of the net. Kane won the fan vote over Corey Perry who did his best lacrosse imitation and then used a childs hockey stick to score another goal.
Shooting Accuracy
The shooting accuracy competition was won by Dallas Stars Jamie Benn who not only won the preliminary round, but knocked all four targets down in the final in 10.2 seconds to beat Matt Read of the Philadelphia Flyers. Benn was deadly accurate in both rounds and he continued that accuracy but hitting the net in three straight shots from an odd angle in the relay competition.
Other winners
Other competitions included the fastest skater (forward)- Carl Hagelin, New York Rangers; (backwards)- Kris Letang, Pittsburgh and (goalies) Jonathan Quick.
Team Alfreddson also won the Elimination shootout when Steven Stamkos, the NHL’s goal leader scored on all three shootout attempts. Stamkos beat both John Tavares and Jason Pominville.
