Mukhamadullin and the 2024 AHL All-Star Challenge

Shakir Mukhamadullin and the 2024 AHL All-Stars won this year’s All-Star Challenge, giving the crowd at Tech CU Arena the thrill they were looking for. The Pacific never managed to win a game in round robin play, but somehow (I would say it was rigged, but all of the players were playing hard, so I can’t see how) squeaked into the final game against the Atlantic Division.

If you’re on this site, you’re likely looking for how Mukhamadullin did. Plus, there’s the Planes, Trains and Automobiles adventure of AHL All-Star Competition MVP Arshdeep Bains. And a peek at Gilroy native Dustin Wolf’s night.

Mukhamadullin had some highlight reel plays

In the fourth game of the competition, the Pacific played the Atlantic. The Atlantic led for most of the two five-minute halves. The Pacific pulled its goaltender to try and tie things at two, and Mukhamadullin played hero, scoring with 6.4 seconds left in the second half to send it to a shootout.

Ooooh BARRACUDA 🔥🙌🏻 Standing ovation for Muk! pic.twitter.com/Gpgmc2LtLc

— SJ Barracuda (@sjbarracuda) February 6, 2024

Mukhamadullin had this summary postgame: “We just pull goalie, play four on three and my teammate give me great pass. I’m just shooting, close my eyes.”

Then, in the final game against the Atlantic, Mukhamadullin showed off his skating and passing ability when he took the puck behind the net and then fed it out front to Matthew Coronato, who scored the Pacific’s second goal of the game.

Spin-O-Rama Apple for Mukhamadullin 🍎 pic.twitter.com/oS7FS3bWIM

— SJ Barracuda (@sjbarracuda) February 6, 2024

“I’m lucky,” said Mukhamadullin postgame when asked about the helper. “I said yesterday, I’m lucky.”

While Mukhamadullin wasn’t the MVP, he had a lot of fun. As for what’s next, he’s unsure if he will start practicing with the Barracuda or return to the Sharks. He’s waiting for a little more guidance.

Abbotsford’s Bains wins MVP Award

Arshdeep Bains of the Abbotsford Canucks had a pretty impressive night for the Pacific Division. He scored twice in the four games and had three helpers. He also scored the game-winning goal in the finals after lifting a stick for the takeaway and then going in for a breakaway. Bains scored with just a handful of seconds left in the game.

Arshdeep Bains plays some defence and the Pacific Division wins the AHL All-Star game on his goal!

🚨 pic.twitter.com/9rdCTiwLyP

— 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 Faber 🔥 (@ChrisFaber39) February 6, 2024

After the game, Bains talked a little about the play.

“I think we were behind their net. I thought I had the puck; he [Dylan McIlrath] took it from me, but kind of just slowly followed him up the ice, and I don’t think he really saw me coming from behind,” recounted Bains. “And just took it off his stick, and by the time I turned around, I heard all the boys on the bench yelling that I had a clear breakaway, so I knew there wasn’t much time on the clock, and I’m glad I was able to score there.”

For Bains, it was the culmination of an extremely long day. Like Mukhamadullin, Bains was caught up in the travel nightmare from Abbotsford to San Jose. However, unlike Mukhamadullin, Bains couldn’t make it to San Jose on Sunday night and didn’t arrive in San Jose until Monday midday.

“I think I was at the airport for about 12 hours on Sunday and was able to fly to LAX and then took a five-and-a-half hour ride this morning to get here, so it’s been a little bit of travel but I think all the guys were really happy to see me,” said Bains. “So, it was a good day overall. And then the games are also fun as well.”

Bains was quick to credit the Abbotsford Canucks team services team, which made sure that he got to the All-Star festivities in time to participate. And he says even though he didn’t get the full experience, he’s enjoyed his time as an All-Star.

“It’s been great. I think the time I spent here and the way the details are in the dressing room and in this arena, in this city, it’s been really nice,” said Bains. “It’s been awesome. Hopefully, I get another chance at this and maybe get the full experience, but it’s been it’s been awesome, and I loved it.”

Gilroy native Dustin Wolf

When you’re trying to stop some of the best players in any league who are receiving passes from other top players from around the league, you’re save percentage and goals against average are bound to suffer. However Wolf, in tandem with the Tucson Roadrunners Matthew Villalta, held his own.

Wolf had a so-so first game of the Pacific against the North. He stopped four of four shots in the first five-minute half. In the second half, he was a little shakier. He took a peek after one of the North’s players tried to shoot five-hole, but Wolf’s pads stopped it. His one mental mistake cost him. He tried to play the puck along the boards on a negated icing, but the quick stick of his opponent blocked Wolf’s pass to a teammate. Wolf was so far out of the net it made for an easy goal.

In game one, Wolf stopped 11 of 12 shots and stopped 2 of 3 shootout attempts to take the Pacific Division to a tie.

Wolf played one-half of the Pacific’s third game. He went 1 for 3 in net in the second half of the game but came up big in the shootout. He stopped all five of the shooters he faced before his teammate Coronato won it by scoring on the Pacific’s fifth shootout attempt.

Wolf also came up big in the final, stopping a waning seconds push by the Atlantic, who were trying to tie the game after Bains’ goal to put the Pacific in the lead.