Larkin glad McDavid had to play by the rules; issues challenge
The NHL All-Star Skills Competition wasn't without controversy, as many felt speed demon Connor McDavid wasn't given a fair shake in his chance to break Dylan Larkin's fastest skater record.
McDavid, still catching his breath from his blazing head-to-head run versus Nathan MacKinnon, was forbidden to take the running start Larkin used to set his record lap around the rink last year.
From a dead stop, McDavid broke the threshold at 13.310 seconds - or 0.138 seconds behind Larkin.
The title holder addressed the controversy on social media, issuing a challenge to No. 97.
A lot of people making a big deal about the fastest skater! I understand the advantages of a running start and I'm very glad #97 didnt...
— Dylan Larkin (@Dylanlarkin39) January 29, 2017
(CONT) get a start like I did for the sake of all organized skating events in the future! @cmcdavid97 was buzzing! Head to head one day?
— Dylan Larkin (@Dylanlarkin39) January 29, 2017
McDavid told TSN's Frank Seravalli that he tried to take the running start, but officials instructed him to take off from a line drawn onto the ice.