Flyers’ Claude Giroux named MVP as he leads Metro to All-Star title

Claude Giroux became the third Philadelphia Flyers player to ever win the MVP award of the All-Star competition, leading the Metropolitan Division to the championship Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Former Flyers Reggie Leach (1980) and Wayne Simmonds (2017) were MVPs of their All-Star Games.

Giroux had a pair of goals in the final as the Metro defeated the Central, 5-3, and won the three-on-three tournament. He had four points (three goals, assist) over his two tournament games.

The Flyers’ captain gave the Metro a 5-3 lead with a little over seven minutes left as he converted a pass from Jake Guentzel of the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was his second goal of the game and third in the tournament.

“It was great. We had a blast on the bench,” said Giroux, who was named the Metro’s captain after Washington’s Alex Ovechkin went into COVID protocol and could not play in the game. “A few one-liners, and yelling to play defense, and win battles. We just had a good time with it.”

Gavin gets the first exclusive interview with #NHLAllStar MVP, @28CGiroux. pic.twitter.com/Pzo265M34P

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 5, 2022

Chicago’s Alex DeBrincat made it 5-4 with 1:45 left, but he was ruled offside before scoring and the goal was negated after a video review.

Pittsburgh goalie Tristan Jarry was superb in the final.

In the semifinals, Giroux scored a goal and set up the winning tally as the Metro All-Stars defeated the Pacific, 6-4.

The Central Division whipped the Atlantic, 8-5, in the other semifinal.

Giroux, 34, who had eight shots on goal in the opener, made his seventh appearance in All-Star competition.

The Metro had a 26-15 shots domination in the semifinals, and the ever-present Giroux made himself a candidate to become the third Flyer to win the All-Star MVP.

The winning team in Saturday’s championship game took home $1 million, divided among the 11 players — or about $90,909 each.

This was the sixth year that the tournament used a three-on-three format. Forty-four players competed, including 17 from Canada and 16 born in America.

Giroux, a prospective unrestricted free agent in the summer, and the rest of the Flyers (15-22-8; 38 points) will now set their sights on the rest of the season, starting Wednesday against visiting Detroit (20-21-6; 46 points)). The Flyers have won their last two games, following a 13-game winless streak.

Pretty move and prettier finish by ⁦@28CGiroux⁩ of#Flyers. https://t.co/gLH8U9kDRv

— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) February 5, 2022

Meanwhile, Johnny Gaudreau, the Gloucester Catholic High product, appeared in his sixth All-Star game Saturday.

South Jersey’s Johnny Gaudreau of Calgary salutes the late Jimmy Hayes. Gaudreau, a six-time All -Star, will be an UFA this summer. Chuck Fletcher has noticed. #Flyers pic.twitter.com/qsTSlnxnhB

— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) February 5, 2022

A sweet moment for Giroux and his son, Gavin, who is 2 1/2. shoots righthanded, and is very fast, according to his proud dad.

.⁦@28CGiroux⁩ alone with his thoughts, and with his son Gavin after winning the MVP of the All-Star competition. Photos: Zack Hill #Flyers pic.twitter.com/R0ICoThRoz

— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) February 5, 2022