STEALING THE 1949 ALL-STAR GAME

As the NHL All-Star Game takes place tonight in San Jose, hockey fans wonder if one player will steal the show. In 2016, an unlikely player, John Scott, emerged as the MVP of the All-Star Game.

Back on October 10, 1949, Bob Goldham stole the show as he dressed for the NHL Stars when they faced the Stanley Cup champion Toronto Maple Leafs at Maple Leaf Gardens.

At the time, Goldham was a member of the Chicago Black Hawks and anchored their defence. The Hawks failed to make the playoffs the previous year and expectations for the 1949-50 season didn't look any brighter. Although Chicago's play reflected that of a last-place club, Goldham's solid performances didn't go unnoticed. When it came to filling out his All-Star roster, Detroit coach, Tommy Ivan, had full confidence in Goldham when he added him to the line-up on September 29, 1949.

Bob Goldham is seated in the front row second from right.

And Goldham didn't disappoint his coach when play got underway on Thanksgiving night. Toronto defenceman, Bill Barilko, opened the scoring, but then, Goldham took over the show.

Bob Hesketh reported on the former Leafs defender in The Telegram. "Goldham, who some experts had on his last legs (due to several wrist injuries), was the best player on the ice. He went well defensively, scored the Stars' opening goal on a setup from Laprade (New York Rangers) with the Leaf Stars shorthanded and the Leaf defence out for a sandwich."

In "Bob Goldham Outside the Goal Crease," I wrote of Goldham helping the All-Star Team take the lead over Toronto:

"Deadlocked at one goal apiece in the middle frame, Goldham and Paul Ronty clicked for what turned out to be the game-winner. The Boston forward took a perfect pass from Goldham, who got the puck past Toronto'a Jimmy Thomson and Ronty completed the play when he beat (Turk) Broda."

 Looking back to that night, Goldham observed, "I had a great game, scored the tying goal and setup the winner by Paul Ronty. I finally felt I was back to normal with a sound arm and lots of confidence."