NHL 3 Star Time Warp: February 8, 1975

From our "NHL 3 Star Time Warp" series on our Facebook Page: A look back at the 3 stars from NHL games played on February 8, 1975.

Third Star: Garry Unger of the St. Louis Blues

Facing his former club at Maple Leaf Gardens, Garry Unger played a major role in helping the St. Louis Blues earn a 3-3 draw against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Unger opened the scoring with the lone goal of the first period, beating Toronto goaltender Doug Favell on an unassisted effort.

The veteran center struck again early in the third period, giving St. Louis a 3-1 advantage with his second goal of the night and 25th of the 1974-75 season. However, the Maple Leafs refused to go away quietly, rallying behind goals from Inge Hammarstrom and Darryl Sittler to salvage the tie.

Unger was a constant threat throughout the evening, leading all players with seven shots on goal.

Second Star: Pete LoPresti of the Minnesota North Stars

The Minnesota North Stars pulled off one of the more surprising results of the season, blanking the powerful Philadelphia Flyers 5-0 on home ice. Minnesota entered the contest with just 13 victories through its first 52 games, while the Flyers had been one of the NHL's dominant clubs, suffering only 12 losses over the same span.

Goaltender Pete LoPresti was outstanding, stopping all 26 Philadelphia shots to record the first shutout of his NHL career. His teammates provided plenty of support early, exploding for four goals in just over five minutes before the first period had even reached its halfway point.

Once the game got out of hand, it took on the rough-and-tumble character that had become synonymous with the Broad Street Bullies. Dave Schultz led the penalty parade, piling up 31 penalty minutes in a physical and emotional contest.

First Star: Phil Esposito of the Boston Bruins

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Although the hometown fans at Detroit Olympia watched their Red Wings fall 8-5 to the Boston Bruins, they were treated to a spectacular offensive performance from Phil Esposito. The Bruins superstar erupted for five points, scoring four goals and adding an assist on a goal by Ken Hodge.

Esposito's second goal of the night was particularly significant, as it marked his 50th goal of the season. The milestone represented the fifth and final consecutive season in which he reached the 50-goal mark, further cementing his place among the league's elite scorers.

His third goal of the game proved to be the winner, giving Boston a 6-2 lead and standing up as the decisive tally. The goal was even more impressive because it came while shorthanded, with Don Marcotte earning the assist. By night's end, Esposito had delivered one of the finest individual performances of the season.

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NHL 3 Star Time Warp: February 17, 1973

From our "NHL 3 Star Time Warp" series on our Facebook Page: A look back at the 3 stars from NHL games played on February 17, 1973.

Third Star: Danny Grant of the Minnesota North Stars

Facing the high-powered Boston Bruins, Danny Grant delivered one of his best performances of the season, leading the Minnesota North Stars to a convincing 5-2 victory. Grant recorded a hat trick and added an assist for a four-point night, proving to be the difference-maker against one of the NHL’s elite clubs.

Grant found the back of the net three times, scoring his 21st, 22nd, and 23rd goals of the 1972-73 campaign. He also set up a goal by Jude Drouin, contributing directly to four of Minnesota’s five goals.

The only North Stars goal that did not involve Grant came off the stick of J.P. Parise. That marker ultimately stood as the game-winning goal, while Grant’s offensive outburst secured him Third Star honors.

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Second Star: Ron Ellis of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Although he was the only member of the night’s three stars not to record a hat trick, Ron Ellis still put together an outstanding performance for the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 6-2 victory over the New York Islanders.

Ellis scored twice and added an assist on a goal by Dave Keon, finishing with three points. His first goal of the game, his 19th of the season, eventually held up as the game winner.

He capped off his evening with a shorthanded tally late in the second period, helping Toronto pull away and earning Second Star recognition.

First Star: Bobby Clarke of the Philadelphia Flyers

In one of the most entertaining games of the night, Bobby Clarke powered the Philadelphia Flyers to a thrilling 7-6 victory over the Montreal Canadiens at the Montreal Forum.

Clarke recorded a hat trick and added an assist on a goal by Simon Nolet, giving him a four-point performance. His leadership and offensive production were crucial in a back-and-forth contest that remained undecided until the closing minutes.

The Flyers captain completed his hat trick at 16:31 of the third period, scoring his 29th goal of the season. That goal proved to be the game winner, sealing the dramatic win and earning Clarke First Star honors.

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