Capital Classic- A Game Of Inches

The 2025–26 Northern Premier Hockey League All-Star Game  (Capital) delivered exactly what it promised on Saturday night in Tweed: pace, skill, and just enough chaos to remind everyone this is senior hockey and pride still matters.

When the game finally got going, the East squeaked out a 6–5 win over the West in a back-and-forth contest that stayed tight right to the end. The East jumped ahead early, riding a dominant performance from Duncan Campbell, who put on a clinic with a hat trick and earned First Star honours. Every time the West found momentum, Campbell seemed to be on the ice ruining it. That’s a skill, not an accident.

The West didn’t roll over. Luc Brown led the push with two goals and an assist, showing why he wears the “C” and why nobody enjoys lining up against him. Brody Morris quietly chipped in with a pair of assists and steady play on the back end, earning Second Star recognition, while the West kept coming in waves.

What made this one fun was the balance. Shots finished dead even at 42–42, there was almost no special teams nonsense, and both sides leaned into what an All-Star game should be: speed, puck movement, and players trying things they might not attempt in a tight league game. Even the goaltenders had their moments, trading big saves to keep the scoreline honest.

In the end, the East held on late, closing out a one-goal win in a game that felt like it could have gone either way with one bounce.

More than anything, the night did its job. It showcased the depth of talent across the league while allowing the players to play best on best for one night only

No drama. No gimmicks. Just good hockey, played hard, with the players enjoying every minute of it.