By ANDREW GROSS
The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News

ST. PAUL, Minn. - If this was indeed Mark Messier's final All-Star Game - "I thought my last one was my last one," the New York Rangers' captain joked - it served as a fitting capper.

The 43-year-old Messier, playing on a line with Rangers' teammate Jaromir Jagr and Washington's Robert Lang, had a goal and an assist in the Eastern Conference's 6-4 win Sunday at the Xcel Energy Center.

Messier's assist made him the all-time All-Star leader with 14, breaking a tie with Raymond Bourque and his two points moved him past Gordie Howe to third on the all-time points list with 20. Messier also became the third-oldest player in NHL history to appear in an All-Star Game as he appeared for the first time since 2000 and for the first time as a Ranger since 1997.

"I didn't think I'd be in the position to be here at the beginning of the year, it was a surprise to be selected," said Messier, who in his 15th All-Star appearance became just the fifth player in NHL history to play in that many classics. "I didn't have any idea about the records."

Ottawa's Daniel Aldredsson had two goals and an assist for the East, including the game winner to make it 5-3 at 18:04 of the second period. Colorado's Joe Sakic was named the game's MVP in a losing cause after scoring the 14th hat trick in All-Star history.

Sakic's line with Vancouver's Markus Naslund and Todd Bertuzzi - booed by the Minnesota fans every time he touched the puck because of comments he made during last season's playoffs - combined for eight points.

"We had a lot of opportunities," said Sakic, who earned a pickup truck as MVP. "I thought for the most part it was a pretty game. I thought all the goalies played really well."

The New Jersey Devils Martin Brodeur and Montreal's Jose Theodore each made 10 saves for the East while Florida's Roberto Luongo made nine saves in the third period as the game become noticeably more intense in the closing minutes.

"Definitely in the last five minutes we were talking on the bench that, 'OK, it's time to win this thing and spiral it up,' " said the Islanders' Adrian Aucoin, who was a plus-1 in 20:05.

Messier set up Aucoin after tracking down a loose puck behind the net to give the East a 1-0 lead at 5:44 of the first period. Jagr had started the play by trying to get it to Messier at the left post before Dallas goalie Marty Turco knocked it away.

Messier tied the score at 3-3 at 13:48 of the second period, tapping in a great backhanded pass from the Devils Scott Niedermayer past Vokoun at the right post.

Niedermayer, who had one shot and was a plus-3 in 21:29, was one of three Devils' starters along with defenseman Brian Rafalski and Brodeur. Rafalski, who replaced the injured Scott Stevens in the starting lineup, was a plus-1 in 20:13 and took two shots.

After scoring his goal, Messier collected the puck and held it high in the air. He said later he was showing his five nieces and nephews, as well as his infant son, who all attended the game, he had a souvenir for them.

"(Jagr) and Lang spent the whole game trying to set me up," said Messier, who had two shots and was a plus-2 in 13:43.

"He can do it at 43 and it's something very special - sometimes guys can't even walk at 43 and he's still playing at a high level," said Jagr, who was then asked why he tried so hard to create scoring opportunities for Messier. "It's about respect. I respect all people for whatever they did for hockey and he's one of the best players. If I played with Mario (Lemieux), I would have done the same thing. If I had played with (Wayne) Gretzky, I would have done the same thing."

The game started with the sell-out crowd of 19,434 giving Messier a standing ovation as he was the last of the East's reserves to be announced.

"I didn't expect it, obviously," said Messier, who has 14 goals and 12 assists for the Rangers this season. "It's just about playing an honest game for a long time. Minnesota's always been a huge hockey hotbed."

And it was not just his All-Star teammates or the fans who appreciated his efforts.

"He's not just hanging in there," Calgary's Jarome Iginla said. "He's doing well. He dippsy-dooed me a couple of times today. It was a special feeling to get to be in an All-Star Game with him, to just watch him."

The assumption is Messier will not have another chance to play in an All-Star Game, particularly if a lengthy lockout affects next season.

Of course, Messier will never hint at any plans for retirement.

"We'll see what time brings," he said.