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The 2019 Lexus AHL All-Star Classic presented by MGM Springfield begins with the AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Sunday, January 27 at 7:00 p.m. ET. This display of skill and creativity will pit All-Stars from the Eastern Conference against the Western Conference. The competition will give teams the chance to earn "goals" for victories in the various events. At the night's conclusion, the conference with more goals will be crowned the Skills Competition champions!

Additionally, goaltenders will have a chance to compete against one another - the goaltender who makes the most saves over the course of the night's goalie events will earn the title of All-Star Classic Top Goaltender!

The skills competition will feature the following events - click each event for more details, including examples from last season's All-Star Skills Competition in Utica:

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Inglasco Puck Control Relay

The Inglasco Puck Control Relay puts skating and puckhandling skills to the test for the All-Stars! This event consists of two relay races with three participants from each conference.

There will additionally be two head-to-head races pitting one player from one conference against each other. The winning team in each relay, as well as the winning individuals from the head-to-head races, will earn 1 goal for their conference.

CCM Fastest Skater

The CCM Fastest Skater competition pits three skaters from each conference against one another for the title of AHL's fastest man! The player with the fastest time at the conclusion of the competition earns 1 goal for his conference. The conference with the fastest average time will also be awarded 1 goal. In the event of a tie, each conference will receive 1 goal.

AHLTV Rapid Fire

The AHLTV Rapid Fire competition is the first of many challenges of the night for All-Star goaltenders. Each conference will have four goalies and eight shooters participating. In each heat, two shooters will take turns firing quick shots at the goaltender from the hash marks in the middle of the offensive zone.

At the conclusion of the round, the goalie who makes the most saves will earn 1 goal for his conference.

CCM Hardest Shot

The CCM Hardest Shot competition gives fans an up-close look at a slap shot, which can be clocked at upwards of over 100 miles per hour! Four players from each conference will participate, with each skater getting two attempts. 

The conference that registers the highest average velocity will earn 1 goal. The player with the hardest average shot will also earn 1 goal for his conference.

Lexus Accuracy Shooting

The Lexus Accuracy Shooting competition showcases the pinpoint precision of the AHL All-Star shooters. Four players from each conference will participate, with the goal of hitting all four targets on the four corners of the net, in the fewest shot attempts.

At the conclusion of the event, the team with the most targets hit on the fewest shots attempted will receive 1 goal for their conference.

Western Mass Sports Commission Pass and Score

The Western Mass Sports Commission Pass and Score competition is the ultimate test for a goalie, who will attempt to stop a 3-on-0 breakaway rush. 12 skaters and four goalies will be in action for this display of skill and creativity. All three offensive players must stay onside when entering the offensive zone, and all three must touch the puck in order for a goal to count. Every goal scored during the Pass and Score will be credited to their respective conference.

There's something in it for the goalies, too! Each save made by a goaltender will be counted toward the skills competition's CCM Top Goaltender Award.

MGM Springfield Breakaway Relay

The Breakaway Relay marks the grand finale to the All-Star Skills Competition, as every skater and every goalie will participate in groups of five shooters and four goalies.

Every goal scored in this swift shootout will count as 1 goal toward the conference's score. Each group has 50 seconds to take their five shots - one per player.

Saves made in the breakaway relay by goaltenders will also count toward the CCM Top Goaltender Award.