42nd National Hockey League All-Star Game
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The 42nd National Hockey League All-Star Game took place in Chicago Stadium, home of the Chicago Blackhawks, on January 19, 1991. The game saw the team of Campbell conference all-stars beat the team of Wales conference all-stars 11-5.
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[edit] Commissioner's Choice
The 1991 game saw much controversy in team selection, as Wales head coach Mike Milbury included enforcer Chris Nilan and checker Brian Skrudland ahead of better players such as Kirk Muller and Guy Lafleur. Nilan and Skrudland, however, would both be sidelined, however, due to injury. As a result of Milbury's apparent abuse of power, the league's board of governors quickly stated that future teams would be chosen by committee.
One immediate effect of this was the ability for the commissioner to appoint two "senior" players to honor their years in the game (one for each team) - Guy Lafleur and Bobby Smith were the first two stars appointed in this manner.
The other change, which would not happen until a year later, was due to the fact that only two goaltenders were selected for the all-star game: as Edmonton Oilers coach John Muckler also coached the Campbell squad, many were considerably irked when Oilers goalie Bill Ranford was chosen over Chicago's own Ed Belfour, who was at the time the best goaltender that season, leading to the Chicago fans booing Ranford when he replaced starter Mike Vernon in the second period. To avoid this, Muckler stated that three goaltenders should be selected in the future, with each goaltender playing a period - and the league made it so.
[edit] The War on Fighting
The 42nd classic was broadcast not only in the U.S. and Canada, but for soldiers abroad fighting in Operation Desert Storm, and players wore decals on their helmets as a symbolic gesture of support. However, some, like Wayne Gretzky (whose grandfather was a veteran of World War I and whose cousin was abroad at the time), called for the game to be canceled. Gretzky, however, was more adamant on the state of fighting in the NHL, saying that he was continually tired of sportscasters stating that "it looks like a hockey game out there" when a bench-clearing brawl takes place in other sports.
[edit] Heroes' Fall
Unlike the previous year, the Heroes of Hockey game was contested between Blackhawks alumni and the "best of the rest", akin to the all-star games of old. However, it was without its boycotters. Joining Gordie Howe were some of the greatest players of all, including Bobby Orr, Ted Lindsay, and Frank Mahovlich (Bobby Hull was also notably opposed, but played anyway due to the game being in Chicago). At the center of this argument, however, were pensions: the National Hockey League Alumni Association believed that there was a $12 million pension surplus in which they were entitled to, and one of the more convincing arguments to support their case was that 26-year veteran Howe was being paid only $1200 per month from this pension fund - noticeably below what he would have gotten if he had pursued a career elsewhere, as he noted.
[edit] Boxscore
| Campbell Conference | Wales Conference | |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 11 | 5 |
| Honorary Captain | Stan Mikita | Jean Beliveau |
| Head Coach | John Muckler (Edmonton Oilers) | Mike Milbury (Boston Bruins) |
| Lineup | Starting Lineup:
Commissioner's Selection:
Reserves:
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Starting Lineup:
Commissioner's Selection:
Reserves:
|
| Scoring Summary |
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| Penalties |
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| Win/Loss | Bill Ranford | Andy Moog |
| Campbell | 15 | 15 | 11 | 41 |
| Wales | 10 | 9 | 22 | 41 |
- Referee: Terry Gregson
- Linesmen: Jerry Pateman, Dan Schachte
- MVP: Vincent Damphousse, Toronto Maple Leafs
- Attendance: 18,472
- TV: NBC, TSN, SRC
[edit] Notes
- Chris Nilan and Brian Skrudland named to Wales team, but did not play.
- Larry Robinson and Brett Hull named to Campbell team, but did not play.
[edit] See also
| Preceded by 41st NHL All-Star Game |
NHL All-Star Game | Succeeded by 43rd NHL All-Star Game |
