John Scott Named NHL All-Star Game MVP

John Scott sat on his teammates shoulders while fans chanted "M-V-P! M-V-P!" and the NHL finally got out of the way.

The people spoke up for Scott once again Sunday night in making the career journeyman enforcer the All-Star MVP as a write-in candidate, after voting him into the 3-on-3 All-Star tournament as captain of the Pacific Division.

Scott scored twice during the tournament, which brought cheers from fans and smiles from teammates, who relished every moment along with the gentle giant and his goofy grin.

Scott captained the Pacific to a 1-0 win in the championship.

"It's just another one on the list of stuff that I cannot believe is happening," Scott said of being MVP. "I never in a million years would have believed I was at an All-Star Game, the fans would be behind me like that and score two goals in a game. You can't put it into words. You can't write this stuff. It's unbelievable."

Now Scott's helmet is headed to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, and his name was trending on Twitter in the United States after a night when he wasn't listed for a social media vote on the three MVP candidates late in the final game.

The NHL did not release details, but fans took it upon themselves to select him in an overwhelming vote for the 6-foot-8 forward with five goals in 285 career games.

"I'm sure he won over a lot of people and got even more fans," Chicago forward Patrick Kane said of Scott.

Fans at Bridgestone Arena booed the MVP options when they were announced and yelled for Scott, who wrote last week that someone with the NHL tried to talk him out of attending. He seemed a bit stunned as he soaked everything in, including being announced the MVP and presented with a Honda Pilot Touring SUV. He also posed with teammates behind their $1 million check.

Scott got nervous only when Sharks defenseman Brent Burns, a former teammate and friend, caught him off-guard and helped hoist the reluctant fighter into the air.

"I'm not a very light guy -- almost 275 pounds, soaking wet about 300 pounds," Scott said. "Yeah, nerve-wracking, especially [because] Burnzie is such a spaz. Again, just another moment on this weekend I just cannot believe. You really can't put into words."

As though to remind everyone of his 542 penalty-minute pedigree, Scott playfully toppled Kane, which prompted the league's scoring leader to drop the gloves in a mock bout.

"That was unexpected," Kane said with a laugh. "I don't know if I expected too much hitting in the All-Star Game, let alone 3-on-3 in the All-Star Game. He caught me off-guard pretty good there."

The NHL changed the format after last year's All-Star Game featured 92 shots and a combined 29 goals in the biggest offensive display in the showcase's 60-year history. This time, the All-Stars combined for 116 shots and 23 goals.

Sunday, January 31 Scoreboard

Atlantic 4, Metro 3

Pacific 9, Central 6

Pacific 1, Atlantic 0

Monday, February 1 Schedule

No Games Scheduled

Tuesday, February 2 Schedule (All Times Central)

Toronto at Boston, 6 p.m.

NY Rangers at New Jersey, 6 p.m.

Minnesota at NY Islanders, 6 p.m.

Montreal at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Ottawa at Pittsburgh, 6 p.m.

Florida at Washington, 6:30 p.m.

St. Louis at Nashville, 7 p.m.

Dallas at Winnipeg, 7 p.m.

Chicago at Colorado, 8 p.m.

Columbus at Edmonton, 8 p.m.

Los Angeles at Arizona, 8 p.m

San Jose at Anaheim, 9 p.m.