LV stars take it all in stride

Tim Graham

Tuesday, Feb. 18, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

It's an honor to be an all-star. Or is it?

Three members of the Las Vegas Thunder will take to the ice at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., for tonight's 23rd International Hockey League All-Star Game. And while Patrice Lefebvre, Ken Quinney and Kevin Dahl are proud to have been selected, they don't think it's too big a deal.

"I'd rather have the team in first place right now than going to the All-Star Game," said Dahl, far from overwhelmed about being named for the first time at any level. "I'd rather get called up (to the National Hockey League) because going to the IHL All-Star Game means I've had a stint here long enough to have been recognized.

"I guess someone feels I deserve it, and that's all that matters."

Lefebvre and Quinney are veteran all-stars.

"It's nothing you yell on the rooftop about," said Lefebvre, who has been selected three times. "It's something that's always an honor because there are a lot of great players in the league, but it's not a big turning point."

For Dahl especially, the game is a curiosity more than anything.

"It's nice to be recognized, but I don't have a clue what to expect," Dahl said.

As in any hockey exhibition, much of the excitement is lost due to the style of play. Teams instill little defense and it's not unusual for each side to score in double figures.

"There's not much hitting," said Lefebvre, who has three assists in his two previous games. "It's like playing pond hockey, getting back to what you did as a kid. It's competitive, but the important thing is having fun."

All three of the Thunder's representatives were chosen as reserves by a consensus of the IHL head coaches. Fans selected the starters.

The game will be aired live by several regional sports networks, but not by Fox Sports West (Prime Cable Channel 17). Local viewers will only be able to see the broadcast on a tape-delay basis Wednesday at 6 a.m.

In Monday's IHL All-Star Skills Challenge, a series of on-ice competitions between the players, the Eastern Conference beat the Western Conference, 16-7. Events included the fastest skate, hardest shot, rapid fire shot, shooting accuracy, puck control relay and breakaway relay.

Former Thunder and current San Antonio Dragon Dan Shank was the fastest skater as Quinney came in second. Michel Picard of the Grand Rapids Griffins had the hardest shot at 92.4 mph.

The Thunder completes its six-day vacation and resumes its schedule Friday at 7:05 p.m. against the Michigan K-Wings at the Thomas & Mack Center.