For folks who just like a party, they'll find plenty to do, too. Part of the Feb. 12 night, which features the skills competitions at Alltel Arena at 7 p.m., also includes a shindig starting at 9 p.m. at the Statehouse Convention Center for everyone with a ticket. Local cover band Tragikly White will provide the music. The Stanley Cup, the trophy presented to the National Hockey League champion each season, will be on display at the Feb. 12 gala and at the all-star game the next night.
Fans can have their picture taken with the Cup.
The skills competition will consist of events to determine the fastest skater, hardest shot, quickest shot, best puck control, top breakaway relay and most accurate shooter. Two Arkansas RiverBlades, center Aaron Brand and defenseman Eric Long, have been named to the Southern Conference team, which will take on the Northern Conference. Also RiverBlades coach Chris Cichocki will help direct the Southern squad. The best players in the league and the future of the NHL will be present, which ought to correlate to a good crowd at Alltel. Sun Cured Red, formed by Fort Smith's Daniel Loyd, took everyone by surprise with its sudden tempo changes on its first song and captivated the judges enough to win last week's semifinal of the Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase.