French Connection winger scores game-winning goal for the Prince Of Wales Conference in Vancouver
French Connection winger scores game-winning goal for the Prince Of Wales Conference in Vancouver
From the Hockey News edition - February 11, 1977
Rick Martin of the Buffalo Sabres paid off on a gamble by coach Scotty Bowman when he fired the game-winning goal to swing the decision for the Wales Conference in the National Hockey League’s 30th annual All-Star game.
Martin, who was selected the most valuable player in the game and received a new automobile for his efforts, scored at 18:04 of the final period on Islander goaler Chico Resch to keep the Wales’ three-year All-Star game streak intact. It was his second goal of the night.
But Martin wouldn’t have scored the deciding goal had it not been for Wales coach Bowman’s strategy. Bowman decided to shake up his attackers and sent Martin out on a line with Marcel Dionne at center and Guy Lafleur on right wing. The trio buzzed Resch and the Campbell Conference net in the final few minutes and Martin was johnny-on-the-spot to bang in the game-winner.
Prior to Martin’s goal, the game MVP award appeared headed for Leafs’ Lanny McDonald, who had scored two of the Wales first three goals and played a strong checking game.
It was the third straight loss for the Campbells, who were again coached by Philadelphia’s Fred Shero. Eric Vail of Atlanta, Rick MacLeish of Philadelphia, and Rangers’ Phil Esposito scored the Campbell goals. Shero said after the game that he hopes the NHL will return to the old All-Star game format and send the Stanley Cup champion against a handpicked All-Star team.
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The game spotlight appeared to belong to Bowman and Martin. Bowman had used many line formations to keep the Wales’ offense rolling. Defenseman Larry Robinson, who is in the running as the NHL’s best defenseman for the year, was employed by Bowman on left wing and helped set up two of the Wales’ goals. Center Gilbert Perreault of Buffalo was double-shifted on two lines.
Bowman sent Dionne out to play between Martin and Lafleur and the three quickly carried the play to the Campbells. Both Lafleur and Dionne checked Chicago defenseman Phil Russell off the puck and Dionne seized on the opportunity to lay a perfect pass on Martin’s stick for the game-winner.
Bernie Parent of the Flyers and Resch divided the goaltending honors for the Campbells. Parent started the game. Ken Dryden of Montreal opened for the Wales and Gerry Desjardins of Buffalo finished up.
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