Singer Justin Bieber, who is playing for Team Gretzky, is pushed into the glass by Chris Pronger of Team Lemieux during the first period of the NHL All-Star Celebrity Shootout at Staples Center, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, in Los Angeles. The NHL All-Star Game is scheduled to be played at Staples Center on Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Justin Bieber got a taste of NHL hockey and the Staples Center glass Saturday, courtesy of NHL great Chris Pronger.
The pop star responded by showing off skills that would not have looked out of place in his native Canada during a celebrity exhibition game.
Bieber was driven into the boards in the first half by a laughing Pronger, who spent 18 years in the league as a hard-nosed defenseman. The singer responded with an empty-net goal and an assist as Team Gretzky beat Team Lemieux 5-3 in the 2017 NHL All-Star Celebrity Shootout.
Bieber did not look out of place while sharing the ice with current NHL stars Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and the Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane, along with a host of retired greats and hockey-loving entertainment figures.
Although he did miss two penalty shots, Bieber scored a goal as time expired, prompting actor Cuba Gooding Jr. to joke, "Twenty-five shots later, thank God he made it."
"I was shocked at how good the kid can play," said Gooding, who scored the winning goal. "He really has nice skills, and he's a real sweet kid, too."
Pictures posted to the NHL's Instagram account showed a smiling Bieber with Wayne Gretzky in the locker room. Bieber will be back at Staples Center on Feb. 12 as he is nominated for four Grammys, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year.
Local Southern California favorites including Luc Robitaille and Teemu Selanne wore patches on their jerseys honoring Canadian actor Alan Thicke, a longtime fan of the Los Angeles Kings who died in December while playing hockey.
Singer Justin Bieber skates during the first period of the NHL All-Star Celebrity Shootout on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, in Los Angeles, the day before then NHL All-Star Game. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Associated Press
Singer Justin Bieber takes a fall during the first period of the NHL All-Star Celebrity Shootout on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, in Los Angeles. The NHL All-Star Game is scheduled to be played Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Associated Press
Celebrity players, from left, Cuba Gooding Jr., Justin Bieber and Eric Lindros sit on the bench as Team Gretzky head coach Wayne Gretzky, top center, stands in the background during the first period of the NHL All-Star Celebrity Shootout at Staples Center, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, in Los Angeles. The NHL All-Star Game is scheduled to be played at Staples Center on Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Associated Press
Singer Justin Bieber, left, of Team Gretzky, tries to get a shot past Team Lenieux goalie Jamie Storr during the first period of the NHL All-Star Celebrity Shootout at Staples Center, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, in Los Angeles. The NHL All-Star Game is scheduled to be played at Staples Center on Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Associated Press
Singer Justin Bieber, right, of Team Gretzky, skates with the puck as Chris Pronger of Team Lemieux reaches in during the first period of the NHL All-Star Celebrity Shootout at Staples Center, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, in Los Angeles. The NHL All-Star Game is scheduled to be played at Staples Center on Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Associated Press