STOCKHOLM, (OTHL) -- Joe Sakic and his teammate Alexander Ovechkin lead the league in voting as the starters for the 2007 all-star game in Dallas, was announced today. The two Chicago players received 57 voting points each, as every general manager had them rated number one on there position. They shared the top spot with eastern conference goaltender Roberto Luongo, who will start the game for the east. In the west Nashville Predators goaltender Tomas Vokoun will start the game in net, and with him on the starting lineup he has his teammate Markus Näslund, who captured the right-wing spot for the west, Näslund was chased by Detroit's Steve Sullivan and Chicago's Marek Svatos, but captured the starting position. On defense the west will start with Lubomir Visnovsky, who will be playing in front of his home fans, representing Dallas Stars. Visnovsky will be paired with Anaheim Ducks defender Adrian Aucoin.
Roberto Luongo on the other side, will see Chris Pronger from Buffalo and Tampa Bay's Bryan McCabe pair up in front of him. Chris Pronger lead all defenders in votes. In front of Pronger and McCabe, the east will start with Ladislav Nagy, who despite his team having a so-so season, made the all-star game as a starter. Nagy will be centered by second year wonder Sidney Crosby, who will go head-to-head with Alexander Ovechkin in a battle over the best second year player in the league. On the other wing, Crosby will pass the puck to Atlanta Thrashers Martin Havlat.
This weekend the rest of the rosters will be announced, as Chicago Blackhawks head coach Ted Nolan and his ditto in Boston, Dave King, will select the rest of the teams.
All-star starters