U.S. gold medalist Kendall Coyne Schofield shines in NHL Skills competition

San Jose’s SAP Center made a little history Friday night when, for the first time ever, a woman took part in the NHL Skills competition — and wowed the All-Stars.

In the kickoff event, the fastest skater contest, U.S. gold medalist Kendall Coyne Schofield went first and set a good pace, sailing around the rink in 14.346 seconds; she wound up finishing ahead of Arizona’s Clayton Keller in the field of eight.

“I was a little nervous, but I knew it was a moment that would break a lot of barriers and a moment that would change the perception of our game,” Coyne Schofield said. “It was so exciting.”

The Colorado Avalanche contacted Coyne Schofield earlier in the day and asked her to fill in for Nathan MacKinnon.