{"id":383483,"date":"2025-12-31T20:34:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T20:34:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/383483\/"},"modified":"2025-12-31T20:34:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T20:34:11","slug":"red-wings-part-of-monumental-new-years-eve-game-dhn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/383483\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Wings Part Of Monumental New Year’s Eve Game \/ DHN"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Detroit<\/a> Red Wings were part of an NHL history-making moment on New Year\u2019s Eve in 1972. And the Wings got themselves a 4-4 tie against the Minnesota North Stars<\/a> on this historic night, thanks to another player who was on his way to making a little history of his own that season.<\/p>\n

When the puck dropped that night, Detroit\u2019s Andy Brown and Minnesota\u2019s Gump Worsley were facing each other as the opposing goalies. They were also facing each other bare-faced.<\/p>\n

Fun Fact: #OTD<\/a> in 1972, the North Stars and Red Wings tie 4-4 in a game that would become the last to feature two maskless goalies \u2013 Gump Worsley for Minnesota and Andy Brown for Detroit. (Thanks @Liams_Hockey<\/a>)https:\/\/t.co\/IVpVLVMGR1<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Dan WHENESOTA (@WHENESOTA) December 31, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Neither Worsley nor Brown was wearing facial protection. They were the last two goalies in NHL history to go maskless, and on this night, they would be the puck-stopping opponents in what would prove to be the final game in NHL history to feature two unmasked men in the nets.<\/p>\n

Red Wings Off To Fast Start<\/p>\n

It looked as if it was going to be Detroit\u2019s night. Marcel Dionne<\/a> (two) and Al Karlander scored to give the Red Wings a 3-1 lead at the first intermission. Minnesota had other ideas in the second period, though. The North Stars scored three unanswered goals to grab a 4-3 lead after 40 minutes. Worsley even drew an assist on JP Parise\u2019s goal to put Minnesota in front.<\/p>\n

There was just one goal scored in the final frame, and it came off the stick of Detroit right-winger Mickey Redmond<\/a>. It was Redmond\u2019s 20th goal of the season. He was on his way to becoming the first Red Wings player to record a 50-goal campaign.<\/p>\n

From the HHOF Archives \u2013 Andy Brown of the @Penguins<\/a>. The last @NHL<\/a> goaltender to play without a mask. pic.twitter.com\/LT0MIZO5wC<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) January 5, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n

Worsley stopped 22 shots. Brown made 20 saves in the game. He was the son of former Red Wings forward Adam Brown, who assisted on Gordie Howe\u2019s<\/a> first NHL goal. Brown played in the NHL through the 1973-74 season. Later, after joining the Pittsburgh Penguins, he became the last maskless goaltender in an NHL game on April 3, 1974.<\/p>\n

Worsley and Brown would face each other again on March 27, 1974. However, by then, Worsley was wearing a mask. The Hockey Hall of Fame netminder, who famously quipped, \u201cMy face is my mask,\u201d donned facial protection for the final six of his 861 NHL games.<\/p>\n

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