Bill Hicke and Charlie Hodge Star for Oakland Seals in an October 11, 1967 “Game of Firsts”

It was the beginning of a new era in the NHL. On October 11, 1967, the expansion Philadelphia Flyers traveled west to face the Oakland Seals in the first NHL game for both teams.

The Seals gave the home fans plenty to cheer about with a 5-1 victory. Goaltender Charlie Hodge was sharp, stopping 24 of 25 shots, while forward Bill Hicke led the way offensively with two goals and an assist. Kent Douglas and Gerry Ehman also had three-point nights in what turned out to be a confident debut for the Bay Area franchise.

Douglas made history early, scoring the first goal in Oakland Seals history just 3:23 into the game. The goal came against Bernie Parent and was assisted by Charlie Burns and George Swarbrick.

The Flyers also notched a first of their own. Bill Sutherland scored the franchise’s inaugural goal at 10:07 of the second period, converting on a powerplay with assists from Leon Rochefort and John Miszuk. It stood as Philadelphia’s first powerplay marker in NHL history.

Ron Harris scored the Seals’ first game-winning goal less than two minutes after Sutherland’s tally, and Bill Hicke added Oakland’s first powerplay goal early in the third.

There were also early signs of animosity. Just 22 seconds after the opening faceoff, each team took its first penalty. Lou Angotti of the Flyers was called for interference, while Larry Cahan of the Seals went off for slashing.

Philadelphia’s tough California debut continued a few days later, dropping a 4-2 decision to the Los Angeles Kings on October 14. That game featured Brian Kilrea scoring the first goal in Kings history and Gord Labossiere notching the winner. Wayne Rutledge made 14 saves in net for the Kings, who limited the Flyers to just 16 shots.

1967 Oakland Seals vs. Philadelphia Flyers – Trivia Quiz

For much more NHL hockey trivia, visit our Hockey Trivia website!

1. Who scored the first goal in Oakland Seals history?
   Bill Hicke
   Kent Douglas
   Gerry Ehman
   Ron Harris
2. Which goaltender made 24 saves for Oakland in the team's first game?
   Wayne Rutledge
   Charlie Hodge
   Bernie Parent
   Doug Favell
3. Who scored the first goal in Philadelphia Flyers history?
   Leon Rochefort
   Bill Sutherland
   Joe Watson
   Gary Dornhoefer
4. What was the final score of the Seals vs. Flyers inaugural game?
   4-2
   3-1
   5-1
   6-2
5. How many penalties were called just 22 seconds into the game?
   One
   Two
   Three
   None

Steve Durbano’s 10 Points in 5 Games as a Rookie D-Man? Not Orr, But Still Impressive

When someone mentions a defenseman putting up 10 points in five NHL games during the 1972-73 season, your first thought might be Bobby Orr. Fair enough. Orr was in peak form that year. But the blueliner who did it in this stretch was rookie Steve Durbano of the St. Louis Blues.

In February 1973, Durbano scored a goal and assisted on nine others over a five-game tear. What's more surprising? He only took two minor penalties during that span, despite a career built on physicality and time in the box.

February 3, 1973: A Career Night

Durbano’s standout game came in a dominant 6-1 win over the California Golden Seals. He registered four assists, setting up two goals by Floyd Thomson, one from Phil Roberto, and the game-winner by Fran Huck. Durbano led all skaters with six shots on Gilles Meloche, as the Blues peppered the Seals with 51 total shots, compared to just 15 faced by Bob Johnson in the St. Louis net.

Durbano finished the night a +3 and didn’t take a single penalty, a rare stat line for the rugged blueliner.

From First-Round Pick to Journeyman 

Originally a first-round selection by the New York Rangers in 1971, Durbano never played a game for them. After some seasoning in the minors with the Omaha Knights, he broke into the NHL with the Blues in the 1972-73 season.

Over the course of his NHL career (1972-73 to 1978-79), Durbano played 220 regular season games and five playoff contests, suiting up for the Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Kansas City Scouts, and Colorado Rockies. True to his reputation, he compiled a staggering 1,127 penalty minutes in those 220 games, averaging over 5 minutes per game.

Steve Durbano Trivia Quiz

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1. How many points did Steve Durbano score in his 5-game streak in 1973?

5
7
10
12

2. Which team did Durbano record 4 assists against on February 3, 1973?

New York Rangers
California Golden Seals
Boston Bruins
Pittsburgh Penguins

3. What unusual stat did Durbano achieve in that February 3 game?

He had a fight and a goal
He had no penalties
He scored a hat trick
He was ejected

4. How many total NHL regular season games did Durbano play?

150
198
220
275

5. Which team originally drafted Steve Durbano?

New York Rangers
St. Louis Blues
Kansas City Scouts
Colorado Rockies

Rick MacLeish’s Lone Penalty Shot Goal Comes Against Billy Smith in 1978

On March 20, 1978, the Philadelphia Flyers hosted the New York Islanders at the Spectrum in a battle for Patrick Division supremacy. The Isles came in with a seven-point edge in the standings, but on this night, Rick MacLeish made a little history.

Just 6:20 into the first period, MacLeish was awarded a penalty shot, something that would turn out to be the only one of his 846-game NHL career. The Cannington Kid made it count, slipping it past the always-fiery Billy Smith to give the Flyers a 1-0 lead. Despite firing 11 shots in the game, nearly 30% of the team’s total, this would be MacLeish’s only goal of the night and his 31st of the season. It also ended up being his final regular season goal of 1977-78.

The Flyers would go on to win the game 4-2, with Mel Bridgman, Reg Leach, and Bill Barber adding goals of their own. Barber’s 36th of the campaign proved to be the game-winner. Between the pipes, BernieParent was solid, turning away 26 shots to seal the victory.

MacLeish’s career spanned from 1970-71 to 1983-84, playing for the Flyers, Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Detroit Red Wings. He racked up 349 regular season goals and another 54 in the playoffs. Notably, in 1972-73, he became the first player in Flyers history to notch 50 goals in a single season.

Rick MacLeish vs. Billy Smith – Trivia Quiz

For much more hockey trivia, check out our Hockey Trivia Website.

1. What date did Rick MacLeish score his only career penalty shot goal?
   March 10, 1978
   March 20, 1978
   March 25, 1978
   


2. Who was the goaltender Rick MacLeish scored on during the penalty shot?
   Bernie Parent
   Billy Smith
   Rogie Vachon
   


3. How many shots on goal did MacLeish register in the game?
   7
   11
   5
   


4. Who scored the game-winning goal for the Flyers in the 4–2 win?
   Rick MacLeish
   Mel Bridgman
   Bill Barber
   


5. How many career regular-season goals did Rick MacLeish score?
   349
   402
   296