Justin Bieber crushed against boards during NHL All-Star Celebrity Game

Justin Bieber got a taste of NHL hockey and the Staples Center glass Saturday, courtesy of veteran Chris Pronger

Justin Bieber got a taste of NHL hockey and the Staples Center glass Saturday, courtesy of NHL veteran 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. Pronger is 6ft 6in and was listed at 220lbs during his playing days, which ended in 2011. Bieber is 5ft 9in and considerably slimmer than Pronger.

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. Bieberdid 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,Bieberscored 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 hes a real sweet kid, too.

Pictures posted to the NHLs Instagram account showed a smilingBieberwith Wayne Gretzky in the locker room.Bieberwill be back at Staples Center on 12 February 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.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jan/29/justin-bieber-nhl-all-star-celebrity-game-chris-pronger