Home Debut Spoiled

The Seals charged out to a 2-0 first period lead, but the Flyers of Edmonton charged back, led by Forbes Kennedy's hat trick, to get a 5-3 win in San Francisco's debut at the Cow Palace. A respectable opening night crowd of 9,490 was on hand to watch. In Art Rosenbaum's opinion, they proved to be more knowledgeable than expected and suitably partisan for the home side. Curley Grieve of the Examiner found his correspondents to be a little more mystified by the game's rules, but it didn't seem to diminish their enjoyment any.

Poor Winner

Flyers coach Bud Poile launched a tirade, notable for the strength of its invective, against Willie Papp at some point during the game and was eventually fined $100 by the league for his efforts.

Transplants Eager

A WHL survey suggested there were as many as 100,000 Canadian ex-pats in the Bay Area, many of whom would be eager to see the local version of their national game.

Connolly Worried

In a pregame column, the Chronicle's Will Connolly was worried that too much of the rough stuff might turn the locals off and urged the Seals to “take it easy and just play the game.”

Earliest mention

Bill Gray, trainer

Gary Collins, center, returned from broken hand suffered on October 17

San Francisco Chronicle

“Hockey Returns to SF Tonight,” Jack Fiske, 41, 43
“Word of Advice: Relax, Fellahs,” Will Connolly, 44

San Francisco Examiner

“Seal Icemen Debut Here Tonight,” Paul Lippman, 59, 63