# 25th National Hockey League All-Star Game

The 25th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in the Metropolitan Sports Center in Bloomington, home of the Minnesota North Stars, on January 25, 1972. It was the first and only time the All-Star Game was held at the Metropolitan Sports Center. The East Division All-Stars defeated the West Division All-Stars 3–2. Bobby Orr was named the game's most valuable player.

## League business

Clarence Campbell, president of the NHL announced that the NHL was expanding to Atlanta and Long Island. Campbell also indicated that the NHL would expand by two further teams for the 1974–75 season. The executives of the Central Hockey League and the Western Hockey League met to discuss the merger of their two leagues. The merger discussions were disrupted when Daniel Myers, owner of the Salt Lake Golden Eagles, committed suicide.

## The game

It was the first time since 1956 that Gordie Howe did not play in the All-Star Game.

### Summary

| # | Score | Team | Goalscorer (Assist(s)) | Time |
| First period |||||
| | | East | Goaltender in: Dryden | 0:00 |
| | | West | Goaltender in: T. Esposito | 0:00 |
| | 0–0 | East | Penalty: Hadfield | 6:22 |
| 1 | 1-0 | West | Goal: B. Hull (P. Martin, Maki) | 17:01 |
| Second period |||||
| 2 | 2-0 | West | Goal: Nolet (D. Hull) | 1:11 |
| 3 | 2-1 | East | Goal: Ratelle (Tremblay, Gilbert) | 3:48 |
| | 2–1 | West | Penalty: White | 5:26 |
| | 2–1 | East | Goaltender out: Dryden Goaltender in: Villemure | 10:24 |
| | 2–1 | West | Goaltender out: T. Esposito Goaltender in: Worsley | 10:24 |
| 4 | 2 -2 | East | Goal: McKenzie (Park, Seiling) | 18:45 |
| Third period |||||
| | 2–2 | West | Penalty: White | 2:28 |
| | 2–2 | East | Penalty: Esposito | 5:34 |
| | 2–2 | East | Penalty: Tremblay | 8:42 |
| | 2–2 | West | Penalty: Mohns | 19:05 |
| 5 | 2-3 | East | Goal: Esposito (Smith, Orr) (PPG) | 19:16 |
| Goaltenders |||||
| East: Dryden (30:24 minutes), Villemure (29:36 minutes). West: T. Esposito (30:24 minutes), Worsley (29:36 minutes). |||||
| Shots on goal |||||
| East (30) 09 - 08 - 13 West (27) 10 - 11 - 06 |||||
| Officials |||||
| Referee : Bruce Hood Linesmen : Claude Béchard, Matt Pavelich |||||
Source: Podnieks

## Team Lineups

| East Division All-Stars Coach: Al MacNeil (Montreal Canadiens) # Nat. Player Pos. Team Goaltenders 1Ken DrydenMontreal Canadiens 30Gilles VillemureNew York Rangers Defencemen 2Brad ParkNew York Rangers 3J. C. TremblayMontreal Canadiens 4Bobby OrrBoston Bruins 9Dale TallonVancouver Canucks 16Rod SeilingNew York Rangers 20Dallas SmithBoston Bruins Forwards 5Red BerensonCDetroit Red Wings 6Rick MartinLWBuffalo Sabres 7Phil EspositoCBoston Bruins 8Rod GilbertRWNew York Rangers 10Gilbert PerreaultCBuffalo Sabres 11Vic HadfieldLWNew York Rangers 12Yvan CournoyerRWMontreal Canadiens 17Paul HendersonLWToronto Maple Leafs 18John McKenzieRWBoston Bruins 19Jean RatelleCNew York Rangers 27Frank MahovlichLWMontreal Canadiens | West Division All-Stars Coach: Billy Reay (Chicago Black Hawks) # Nat. Player Pos. Team Goaltenders 1Gump WorsleyMinnesota North Stars 35Tony EspositoChicago Black Hawks Defencemen 2Bill WhiteChicago Black Hawks 3Keith MagnusonChicago Black Hawks 4Ted HarrisMinnesota North Stars 5Carol VadnaisCalifornia Golden Seals 6Doug MohnsMinnesota North Stars 12Pat StapletonChicago Black Hawks Forwards 7Garry UngerRWSt. Louis Blues 8Bill GoldsworthyRWMinnesota North Stars 9Bobby HullLWChicago Black Hawks 10Dennis HullLWChicago Black Hawks 11Ross LonsberryLWLos Angeles Kings 14Pit MartinCChicago Black Hawks 15Bobby ClarkeCPhiladelphia Flyers 16Chico MakiRWChicago Black Hawks 17Simon NoletRWPhiladelphia Flyers 21Stan MikitaCChicago Black Hawks 22Greg PolisLWPittsburgh Penguins |
| G = Goaltenders; D = Defencemen; C = Center; LW/RW = Left Wing/Right Wing Source: Podnieks ||