The 2025 PLL Lexus All-Star Game delivered jaw-dropping and highlight-reel moments as the West held off a near 11-goal East comeback to secure a 15-13 victory.
“Just a lot of fun,” Chris Kavanagh said. “It was really cool playing with new guys I’ve never played before and guys who we’re competing against in our conference.”
Rock, paper, shoot at the faceoff stripe got the first quarter rolling with a Canadian goal from Jeff Teat to Owen Grant just 15 seconds into regulation.
The West took control early, finishing the first quarter up 4-2 after Liam Entenmann, the East’s goalie, was trail-checked while trying to clear the ball himself. Dylan Molloy scooped the grounder for an easy empty-net finish.
In the second quarter, the faceoff battle got even crazier as backup goalies Logan McNaney and Colin Kirst competed for the draw, with McNaney winning.
The West dominated the frame, scoring five goals (three two-pointers) while holding the East to just one goal. Brennan O’Neill was a force, notching two goals (one a two-pointer) and two assists, helping power a 10-1 West run.
“[Brennan’s] an incredible player who makes it look effortless,” Chris said.
Pat Kavanagh capped the first half with a jaw-dropping, left-handed low-to-high shot through a defender that ripped the top corner, sending the West into halftime with a commanding 12-3 lead.
“In the back of my head, I wanted to do some behind-the-back and one-handed stuff,” Pat said.
Goalie Brett Dobson was a brick wall, allowing only three goals while making nine saves and fueling a 21-minute East scoring drought.
“We’ll be hitting that [PLL’s] ice cream truck up,” Dobson joked.
At halftime, the Lexus Skills Challenge added to the festivities. Kavanagh took the Accuracy Challenge with six targets hit and Graeme Hossack won Fastest Shot, ripping one at 122 mph.
Kavanagh struck again early in the third quarter with a spectacular no-look, over-the-shoulder bouncer, stretching the West’s lead to 11.
But, the East mounted a thrilling comeback behind Jack Hannah, who netted a hat trick, and Marcus Holman, who buried back-to-back two-pointers.
The East scored nine unanswered goals, including flashy finishes from Dylan Hess, behind-the-back, and Matt Campbell, a tight-angle score, cutting the deficit to just one.
However, O’Neill halted the surge with a late-game twister after a pump fake, ending the East’s run and sealing the West’s win.
“He came up with big goals when we needed them,” Hossack said. “Late down the stretch was kind of that juice to get us over the edge. That goal was a deep breath and allowed us to relax back there.”
O’Neill finished with seven points (3G, 1T, 3 A), earning MVP honors in his second All-Star appearance.
