All Star Game

The NHL's annual All Star Game came to the old St. Louis Arena in 1970. Although the divisions were technically called the East and the West, it was really still just the Original Six versus the six 1967 expansion teams. It didn't matter, though, because it was the All Star Game and it was in St. Louis!

Mom and Dad were going with our season tickets. I'm not exactly sure how he swung it, but Dad came up with two additional tickets so Debbie and I could go along. Mom and Dad sat in the season ticket seats and let Debbie and me sit by ourselves in the extra seats.

Our seats were probably the worst seats in sports history, but that didn't matter, either, because it was the All Star Game and it was in St. Louis! They were in the front row of the yellow seat level; the second of the three seating tiers in the old barn. The problem with the front row of the yellow seat level was that the seats sat right on the main aisle circling the building. They were not a step up from the aisle nor did they have a railing of any sort between the seats and the aisle. It was our knees sticking out into the aisle.

The roster was a who's who of hockey greats; along with a few not necessarily so great players, I suppose. Debbie and I had a great time despite the fact that we constantly had people walking in front of us.

The East (Original Six) won the game 4 - 1. My favorite player, Red Berenson, assisted on the West's only goal.

Jacques Plante, in his final All Star Game appearance, shut out the East for his entire stint in the second half of the game. Who knows, we might have won 1 - 0 if Bernie Parent hadn't let in four goals during his turn in goal!

Debbie and I sat in the extra seats together and had a wonderful time. I can't imagine letting an eight year old and a twelve year old sit alone today, but things were a lot simpler back then.

The All Star Game was still an exhibition for the fans in 1970 -  NHL greats gathering to show us a great time. There was no skills competition or massive corporate sponsorship deal to taint the fans' experience. I probably couldn't afford to go to an All Star Game any more. With all of the seats held out for corporate sponsors and media personalities there are virtually no seats left for the common fans; and you wouldn't let a twelve year old and eight year old sit off by themselves even if you could get the tickets.

Yeah, things were a lot simpler in 1970 when Debbie and I were there. I know we both look back on that experience with great fondness.

Because it was the All Star Game and we were there!