y Stephen Hawkins

Associated Press

DALLAS — Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin will have to wait to dominate an All-Star game. The young sensations will surely get their chance.

This night belonged to one of the NHL’s old stars.

Colorado’s Joe Sakic, making his 12th All-Star appearance, had four assists to lead the Western Conference to 12-9 victory Wednesday night.

Well-traveled Yanic Perreault of Phoenix, Columbus’ Rick Nash, Minnesota’s Brian Rolston and Martin Havlat of Chicago each had two goals for the West squad.

Daniel Briere, one of three starters from Eastern Conference-leading Buffalo, had a goal and four assists and was selected the MVP.

The league’s first midseason showcase since 2004 was a high-scoring affair, befitting post-lockout rules and new streamlined uniforms designed, in part, to make the players faster.

“It was a wide-open game with a lot of goals,” said Sakic, who captained the West squad. “I don’t know what more you want.”

Maybe some more from the flashy young duo that’s being compared to Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.

Crosby and Ovechkin started on the same line and played most of the game together for the Eastern Conference, but just never could get into the flow. Ovechkin’s goal in the second period was the only point between them.

“There were 21 goals, you think I would have had one,” Crosby said, jokingly. “I guess it wasn’t meant to be. I had a few chances, it just didn’t work out.”

On several shifts, Ovechkin gave up the puck to Crosby, who still managed only three shots.

“I tried to help him. Next All-Star game, it will happen,” Ovechkin said. “There were a couple of times I normally would have shot.”