The 1977-78 NHL season opened with a statement performance from Rogatien “Rogie” Vachon and the Los Angeles Kings.
On October 12, 1977, Vachon backstopped the Kings to a 2-0 Opening Night victory over the visiting Cleveland Barons, becoming the first goaltender of the season to record a shutout. Rogie was flawless, stopping all 24 shots he faced for the 42nd shutout of his NHL career. At the opposite end, Cleveland’s Gilles Meloche was strong as well, allowing just two goals on 28 shots.
Los Angeles wasted little time getting on the board. At 12:18 of the first period, Ernie Hicke scored the game-winning goal, set up by Marcel Dionne and Glenn Goldup. That same trio struck again just 39 seconds into the third period when Dionne finished off another perfectly executed sequence to make it 2-0.
While Vachon controlled the crease, the game also featured a bit of Opening Night theater to keep the crowd buzzing. In the first period, Kings enforcer Dave Schultz squared off with Cleveland’s Reg Kerr in a heavyweight bout. Midway through the third period, L.A.’s Dave Hutchison dropped the gloves with Barons defenseman Bob Girard.
The 1977-78 season would see Vachon record four shutouts for the Kings, matching his lowest total since the 1972-73 campaign. It also marked his final season in Los Angeles. Vachon began the following year with the Detroit Red Wings, spending two seasons in Hockeytown before finishing his Hall of Fame career with the Boston Bruins.
Tales from the Los Angeles Kings Locker Room
A collection of the greatest Kings stories ever told — from the locker room to unforgettable moments on the ice.
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