On This Date in Sports February 7, 1989: Gretzky Stars In Edmonton
In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com
Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton plays host to the NHL’s 40th All-Star Game. Edmonton used to being in the spotlight marks the return of Wayne Gretzky who was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in August. The Great One wins the All-Star Game MVP for a second time, with a goal and two assists as the Campbell Conference defeated the Wales Conference All-Stars 9-5.
The Edmonton Oilers stunned the hockey world on August 8, 1988, sending Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings, after winning the Stanley Cup for the fourth time in five years. The Kings were a Smythe Division rival of the Oilers making the deal all the more surprising as Gretzky returned to Edmonton several times a year after with the Kings. However, his All-Star return would be extra special.
To nobody’s surprise, Wayne Gretzky received the biggest ovation during pre-game introductions, as Oilers Coach Glenn Sather got another chance to have the Great One on his team as he was behind the bench for the Campbell Conference All-Stars. Terry O’Reilly of the Boston Bruins meanwhile was the coach of the Wales Conference All-Star Team.
Wayne Gretzky recorded an assist just 67 seconds into the game as his former Oilers teammate Jari Kurri gave the Campbell Conference a quick 1-0 lead. Three minutes later, Gretzky put one in the net himself past Sean Burke of the New Jersey Devils who got the start in net for the Wales Conference. Cam Neely of the Boston Bruins would get the Wales Conference on the board with a power play goal, taking advantage of a holding call on Oilers captain Mark Messier at 9:47. Less than a minute later on a goal by Walt Poddubny of the Quebec Nordiques.
In the second period, Glen Wesley of the Bruins gave the Wales Conference a brief 3-2 lead ripping one past Oilers goalie Grant Fuhr. However, Joe Mullen of the Calgary Flames answered as the game was tied when the goalies were switched at the mid-point of the second period with the Bruins netminder Reggie Lemelin taking over for the Wales and Mike Vernon of the Flames replacing Fuhr for the Campbell Conference. Late in the second period, the explosiveness of the Campbell Conference was on display as Steve Yzerman of the Toronto Maple Leafs Gary Leeman of the Toronto Maple Leafs scored 14 seconds apart to build a 5-3 lead at the second intermission.
The Wales Conference got one back early in the third as Walt Paddubny notched his second goal of the game. However, Joey Mullen notched his second goal of the game just over two minutes left to keep the Campbell Conference in control of the game. Mike Ridley of the Washington Capitals would breathe the last gasp for the Wales Conference, making it 6-5 at the 9:35 mark. However, the Campbell Conference added goals from Luc Robitaille of the Los Angeles Kings, and Jimmy Carson and Mark Messier of the Oilers to pull away for an easy 9-5 win.
Much to the delight of the fans in Edmonton, Wayne Gretzky would take home All-Star MVP honors for the second time in his career, with one goal and two assists.