This is a transcript from the “NHL 3-Star Time Warp” video series on Facebook Reels. Each episode features the 3 stars from games on a random date in National Hockey League history. This episode features the 3 stars from games played in the NHL on February 8, 1975. The video is embedded below the transcript.
Third Star: Garry Unger of the St. Louis Blues
In a 3-3 tie with Toronto at Maple Leaf Gardens, Garry Unger scored a pair of goals against the team he started his NHL career with. Unger scored the only goal of the first period, unassisted on Toronto goalie Doug Favell. Early in the third, Unger put the Blues up 3-1 with his second of the game and 25h of the season. The Leafs came roaring back with goals by Inge Hammarstrom and Darryl Sittler for the tie. Unger led all skaters with seven shots on net.
Second Star: Pete LoPresti of the Minnesota North Stars
Pete LoPresti and the North Stars definitely defied the odds with a 5-0 home win over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Stars were looking for just their 14th win in the first 52 games of the 1974-75 NHL season. The Flyers were at the other end of the standings, losing just 12 of their first 52.
Yet, LoPresti turned away all 26 shots put his way to record the first shutout of his NHL career. Over a span of a little more than five minutes before the first period was even halfway done, the North Stars had a 4-0 lead. After that, it turned into a typical Broad Street Bullies game with Dave Schultz leading the way, accumulating 31 penalty minutes.
First Star: Phil Esposito of the Boston Bruins
Despite witnessing an 8-5 loss to the Bruins, the crowd at Detroit Olympia had to be pretty impressed wth the performance of Phil Esposito. Espo totaled five points on four goals and an assist on a Ken Hodge goal. His second of the game was his 50th of the season, marking the last of five consecutive seasons reaching the 50 goal plateau.
Phil’s third of the game and 51st of the season made the score 6-2 and would hold on as the game winner. Even more impressive is that the goal was scored shorthanded, assisted by Don Marcotte.
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