Granato’s Head Left Spinning by Fans’ Loud Reception

SAN JOSE — The loudest of the many roaring ovations bestowed by San Jose fans Saturday at the San Jose Arena was unquestionably the ovation accorded Shark forward Tony Granato, who has made a remarkable comeback since undergoing brain surgery 11 months ago.

But even his supposed foes were rooting for him Saturday.

Granato, inserted into the starting lineup to replace injured Colorado center Joe Sakic, was given the honor of opposing Wayne Gretzky in the game’s opening faceoff. “I told him that if we lost tonight I hoped he’d be the one who scored the game-winner,” Gretzky said. “What he’s done is just amazing.”

Granato said he was overwhelmed by the occasion.

“It was a great thrill, especially what the fans did,” he said.

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The atmosphere at All-Star games is usually easy and fun, with checking all but forbidden, but King forward Dimitri Khristich acknowledged he was surprised just how free-spirited it was.

“It was much looser than what I expected,” Khristich said.

Khristich was on the receiving end of one of the game’s few hits, and even that one wasn’t serious. “In the first period, [Boston defenseman Ray] Bourque hit me with his glove in the face by accident, and he apologized later.” Khristich said.

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Philadelphia Flyer center Eric Lindros used the game to try out a new helmet that has probably twice the padding as his old headgear. He switched in hope of avoiding the severe concussions that forced his brother, Brett, to retire last season.

“It has tons of protection. That’s the biggest key,” Eric said.

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Ranger center Mark Messier seemed to leave his sense of humor in New York. First, he walked out of Friday’s news conference because he wasn’t seated at the head table, dissatisfied with the explanation that the table was reserved for players in the starting lineup. Then, he refused to participate in a promotion planned by Fox that would have poked fun at his age--he turned 36 Saturday.

The plan was to show a birthday cake and to have Mighty Duck forward Paul Kariya exclaim how bright it was because of the candles.