ST. LOUIS _ It was over too quickly for either of their tastes _ just two 10-minute periods for Mathew Barzal and Chris Kreider, who were eliminated along with the rest of the Metropolitan Division in Saturday night's NHL All-Star Game.
But while Kreider _ 28 and playing in his first All-Star Game _ lamented the fact that he was dressed in a suit while the rest of the league's All-Stars still played behind him, he said this long-held dream was everything he could have hoped for.
It was evident on Friday when he stood on the blue line during introductions, looking around at the cheering crowd around him, seemingly taking it all in. It showed itself again on Saturday, when he reflected on the weekend. This could very well be one of the last times Kreider gets to represent the Rangers, what with the trade deadline coming up on Feb. 24 and the team situated just outside the Metropolitan Division's basement.
