Canadiens forward Alex Kovalev, far left, was named MVP of Sunday's NHL All-Star Game in Montreal. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)CBC's Hockey Night In Canada scored its largest audience for an NHL all-star game in nine years after a national average audience of 1.516 million viewers tuned into Sunday's festivities in Montreal.
The event drew the biggest audience since the game was played in Toronto in 2000, a contest that registered 1.557 million viewers.
The ratings represent a 30 per cent increase over last season's game in Atlanta.
"Once again Montreal has reaffirmed its place as one of the greatest hockey markets in the world," said Scott Moore, executive director of CBC Sports.
With many Montreal Canadiens legends in attendance as part of the franchise's 100th anniversary, the Eastern Conference team posted a 12-11 shootout victory over their Western Conference counterparts in the 57th NHL All-Star Game at the Bell Centre.
Canadiens winger Alex Kovalev, who served as captain of the Eastern team, was named the game's MVP after scoring two goals — and the winner in the shootout.
Saturday night's skills competition also attracted 1.358 million viewers, drawing the largest audience in the event's history.
"The excitement and enthusiasm throughout the city were no doubt influential factors in making this weekend's events must-see television."
