Atlanta to be awarded 2007 All-Star Game

<p>The NHL is expected to announce Saturday that it has awarded the 2008 All-Star game to Atlanta.</p><p>Atlanta Thrashers spokesman Tom Hughes said Friday a news conference has been scheduled for Saturday before the Thrashers' final home game against Boston.</p><p>Hughes would neither confirm nor deny Atlanta has been awarded the All-Star game.</p><p>The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, citing an unidentified source, reported on its Web site Friday that Atlanta will host the 2008 game.</p><p>Atlanta was scheduled to host the 2005 All-Star game at Philips Arena, but the game was wiped out when the season was lost due to a labor dispute. At the time, the league promised Atlanta another All-Star game at the earliest opportunity.</p><p>There was no All-Star game this year due to the Olympic break.</p><p>In January, the NHL announced that Dallas will host the 2007 All-Star game.</p><p>The 2008 All-Star game is scheduled for Jan. 16.</p>

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