1970-1971 Season

Once Charlie Finley took over the team, change was in the air. Finley was going to change the name of the team to the Bay Area Seals, but just before the first game of the regular season, changed it officially to the California Golden Seals. He also designed new uniforms for the team that were "kelly green, California gold and polar bear white" according to the media guide. Finley gave the team green and gold skates to match their new uniforms, too. The Seals also became the first NHL team to put the players' names on the back of their sweaters. GM Frank Selke, Jr. was let go early in the season and replaced by Bill Torrey, who was let go later in the season. Goalie Gary Smith appeared in 71 of the Seals 78 games that year while newcomer Dennis Hextall led the club in scoring and penalty minutes. Unfortunately, injuries hit the team hard this season and the Seals ended up in last place in the West Division with a 20-53-5 record.

Game Date Opponent Result Seals Goalie Opp. Goalie W/T Goal Notes
1. Oct 10 70 @ Detroit L 5-3 Gary Smith Roy Edwards Wayne Connelly Dennis Hextall scored twice and Gary Croteau had 3 assists in their Seals debuts. The Seals also debuted their new green and gold skates which were not exactly a hit. Gordie Howe and Garry Unger each had 2 points for Detroit.
2. Oct 12 70 @ Chicago L 5-1     Eric Nesterenko Bobby Hull and Brian Campbell each had a goal and 2 assists for Chicago. Carol Vadnais scored the only Seals goal.
3. Oct 16 70 Boston L 5-1 Gary Smith Gerry Cheevers   Opening day sellout for first game under Charlie Finley's ownership.
4. Oct 17 70 @Los Angeles L 6-1       Norm Ferguson fractured his shoulder and was out for the next 21 games.
5. Oct 20 70 @ Vancouver L 2-1 Gary Smith Dunc Wilson Andre Boudrias The Seals lost in their first ever game in Vancouver when Wayne Maki and Andre Boudrias scored 33 seconds apart in the 2nd period. The Seals fell to 0-5-0 on the season.
6. Oct 21 70 St. Louis T 2-2 Gary Smith Glenn Hall George Morrison Only 2,600 attend the game in Oakland.
7. Oct 23 70 Pittsburgh L 3-1 Gary Smith Al Smith and Les Binkley Ron Schock Paul Andrea scored the only California goal. Jean Pronovost, Ron Schock and Ken Schinkel tallied for Pittsburgh.
8. Oct 25 70 @ NY Rangers T 2-2 Gary Smith Ed Giacomin Jean Ratelle Ted Hampson and Gary Croteau scored for the Seals. Although the Seals were still winless, Coach Fred Glover said, "This is the first time we played together as a team."
9. Oct 28 70 @ St. Louis L 3-2 Gary Smith Ernie Wakely George Morrison Gary Croteau and Doug Jarrett scored for Seals. California was 0-7-2 on season and had been outscored 33-14.
10. Oct 30 70 Buffalo W 6-1 Gary Smith Joe Daley & Roger Crozier Carol Vadnais Bill Hicke scored 2 goals and added an assist and Carol Vadnais scored twice for the Seals. California took 48 shots on goal vs. expansion Sabres and finally ended their 9 game winless streak.
11. Nov 04 70 NY Rangers W 3-1 Gary Smith Ed Giacomin Dennis Hextall Seals win 2nd straight. Gary Jarrett, Dennis Hextall and Gary Croteau score the goals.
12. Nov 06 70 Toronto W 8-4 Gary Smith Bruce Gamble    
13. Nov 11 70 Montreal W 2-0 Gary Smith Phil Myre Gary Jarrett Gary Smith made 25 saves to shutout the Habs. Ernie Hicke scored his first goal as a Seal. The Seals had won 4 straight.
14. Nov 13 70 @ Buffalo L 4-2 Gary Smith Roger Crozier Paul Andrea Paul Andrea, who the Sabres claimed on waivers from the Seals 9 days earlier, scored the winning goal. Gary Jarrett and Gary Croteau scored for the Seals who lost in their first ever trip to the Aud in Buffalo.
15. Nov 14 70 @ Pittsburgh L 6-1 Gary Smith and (Bob Sneddon?) Al Smith Greg Polis Ken Schinkel had a goal and 2 assists to lead the Pens. Ted Hampson scored the only Seals goal.
16. Nov 15 70 @ Boston W 2-1 Gary Smith Gerry Cheevers Dennis Hextall Dennis Hextall scored the winner and set up Carol Vadnais for the other Seals goal. The Bruins thought they had tied it on a shot by Dallas Smith in the 3rd period but the referee ruled no goal. Gary Smith made 41 saves and played very well for the Seals.
17. Nov 17 70 @ Montreal L 5-1 Gary Smith Phil Myre Henri Richard Henri Richard scored twice and set up 2 more goals for the Canadiens. Ernie Hicke scored for Seals.
18. Nov 19 70 @ Philadelphia L 6-2 Gary Smith and Bob Sneddon (start of 3rd period, allowed 2 goals) Bernie Parent Bobby Clarke Joe Johnson scored a hat trick for the Flyers and assisted on another goal.
19. Nov 21 70 @ Toronto L 5-3 Bob Sneddon Jacques Plante Dave Keon The Seals set a team record with 49 shots on goal but Jacques Plante made 46 saves. Guy Trottier and Paul Henderson scored 2 goals each for Toronto. Ted Hampson had a goal and an assist for the Seals.
20. Nov 22 70 @ Chicago L 9-0 Bob Sneddon Tony Esposito Bobby Hull Bobby Hull scored his 25th career hat trick and Tony Esposito made 32 saves for the shutout. Seals losing streak now at 4.
21. Nov 25 70 Los Angeles L 3-1 Gary Smith Denis DeJordy    
22. Nov 27 70 Minnesota L 3-2 Gary Smith Cesare Maniago Jude Drouin Ernie Hicke and Bill Hicke scored for the Seals. California had a 2 man advantage in the final 1:20 but could not tie the game. Bobby Rousseau and Jude Drouin had 2 points each to pace the North Stars attack.
23. Nov 29 70 Buffalo W 2-1 Gary Smith Roger Crozier Ernie Hicke Ernie Hicke and Dennis Hextall scored for the Seals who ended a 6 game losing streak. Hicke's winning goal came with just 4:23 left in the game.
24. Dec 02 70 @ Minnesota L 3-2 Gary Smith Cesare Maniago Bill Goldsworthy Jude Drouin had 3 assists for Minnesota. Dennis Hextall and Gary Jarrett tallied for the Seals.
25. Dec 04 70 Philadelphia L 4-0 Gary Smith Bernie Parent    
26. Dec 09 70 Vancouver W 6-1 Gary Smith George Gardner Gerry Ehman Seals first ever win over Canucks.
27. Dec 11 70 NY Rangers L 2-1 Gary Smith Ed Giacomin Jack Egers Jack Egers scored twice for New York while Jean Ratelle had 2 assists. Ted Hampson tallied for California.
28. Dec 12 70 @ Vancouver L 5-2 Gary Smith Charlie Hodge Paul Popiel Orland Kurtenbach scored the first hat trick in Canucks history. Ex-Seal Charlie Hodge was the winning goalie. Bill Hicke and Ernie Hicke scored for the Seals while Carol Vadnais had 2 assists.
29. Dec 16 70 Detroit W 4-2 Gary Smith Don McLeod    
30. Dec 18 70 Philadelphia W 1-0 Gary Smith Bernie Parent    
31. Dec 20 70 @ Detroit W 7-3 Gary Smith Don McLeod and Jim Rutherford Ron Stackhouse Rookie defenseman Ron Stackhouse scored his first 2 NHL goals while Ernie Hicke scored twice and assisted on another goal to lead the Seals attack. 7 goals in a road game set a Seals club record.
32. Dec 22 70 Chicago W 5-2 Gary Smith Gerry Desjardins   The Seals win their fourth straight game.
33. Dec 26 70 @ Los Angeles L 9-3 Gary Smith      
34. Dec 29 70 @NY Rangers L 3-2 Gary Smith Ed Giacomin Arnie Brown The Seals were unable to erase 3-0 deficit. The California goals were scored by Bill Hicke and Don O'Donoghue.
35. Dec 30 70 @ Toronto L 3-1 Gary Smith Jacques Plante Gary Monahan Dave Keon scored the 250th goal of his NHL career and added an assist for Toronto. Gerry Ehman scored for the Seals.
36. Jan 02 71 @ Montreal L 5-3 Gary Smith Phil Myre Jacques Lemaire The Seals led 2-0 on goals by Dennis Hextall and Don O'Donoghue but yielded 5 straight goals in the loss. Jacques Lemaire had a goal and an assist for Montreal.
37. Jan 03 71 @ Detroit L 3-2 Gary Smith Roy Edwards Wayne Connelly The Golden Seals suffered their 5th straight loss. Gary Smith made 40 saves in a losing cause. Norm Ferguson and Doug Roberts score for Seals.
38. Jan 06 71 St. Louis W 6-3 Gary Smith Glenn Hall Gerry Ehman Dennis Hextall had 2 goals and an assist for the Seals. Norm Ferguson, Bill Hicke and Gary Jarrett also each had 2 points for California.
39. Jan 09 71 @ Philadelphia L 5-3 Gary Smith Bernie Parent Bill Lesuk Bobby Clarke had a goal and an assist to lead the Flyers offense. Gerry Ehman assisted on 2 goals for the Seals.
40. Jan 10 71 @ Boston L 7-4 Gary Smith Ed Johnston Phil Esposito Ken Hodge and John Bucyk each scored twice and Dallas Smith had 3 assists for Boston. Gary Smith faced 47 shots in the Seals nets. Ernie Hicke and Carol Vadnais had 2 points each for California.
41. Jan 12 71 @ St. Louis L 8-2 Gary Smith and Chris Worthy (replaced Smith in the second period). Glenn Hall Jim Lorentz Jim Lorentz scored 2 goals for the Blues. The Golden Seals led 2-1 in first period before St. Louis scored 7 consecutive goals. Carol Vadnais assisted on both Seals goals.
42. Jan 13 71 @ Toronto T 1-1 Gary Smith Jacques Plante Paul Henderson Gary Smith made 50 saves for the Seals. Gerry Ehman scored the California goal. Paul Henderson's tying goal came with 5:42 left in the game.
43. Jan 15 71 NY Rangers W 3-1 Gary Smith Ed Giacomin Dennis Hextall Gary Jarrett had a goal and an assist while Ted Hampson set up 2 Seals goals. Gary Smith made 38 saves for California to earn the win. Jean Ratelle scored for New York.
44. Jan 17 71 Vancouver L 3-1 Gary Smith Dunc Wilson Ray Cullen Norm Ferguson scored the only goal for the Seals. Danny Johnson, Ray Cullen and Rosaire Paiement scored for Vancouver.
45. Jan 20 71 Pittsburgh L 4-2 Gary Smith Al Smith   Seals led 2-0 after first period. Dennis Hextall and Ernie Hicke led the Seals offense with 2 points each.
46. Jan 22 71 Toronto W 5-2 Gary Smith Bruce Gamble Gary Jarrett  
47. Jan 24 71 @ Chicago L 5-3 Gary Smith Tony Esposito Bobby Hull Bobby Hull and Dennis Hull each scored twice for Chicago. Gary Croteau and Norm Ferguson each had 2 points for the Seals.
48. Jan 27 71 Minnesota W 6-2 Gary Smith Cesare Maniago Gary Croteau Gary Croteau scored a hat trick and set up a 4th goal to lead the Seals to victory. Norm Ferguson scored once and added 3 assists for the Seals.
49. Jan 29 71 Buffalo L 4-2 Gary Smith Roger Crozier Gilbert Perreault Gilbert Perreault scored the first hat trick in Sabres history. Norm Ferguson scored twice for California, Dennis Hextall had 2 assists. The two teams scored 2 goals in 9 seconds late in the game, the final goal being an empty netter by Perreault.
50. Jan 31 71 @ Minnesota L 7-1 Gary Smith Gilles Gilbert Bill Goldsworthy Gord Labossiere scored 3 goals to lead the North Stars. Minnesota fired 53 shots on Gary Smith. Gerry Ehman scored the only goal for California.
51. Feb 03 71 @ Pittsburgh L 6-1 Gary Smith Les Binkley Jean Pronovost Rod Zaine scored twice and Jean Pronovost had 3 points to lead the Pens past the Seals at the Igloo. Ron Stackhouse scored the lone goal for the Seals.
52. Feb 05 71 Montreal L 3-2 Gary Smith Phil Myre John Ferguson John Ferguson scored two 3rd period goals for the Habs. Gary Croteau was credited with a goal when Jacques Lemaire put the puck in his own net and Ron Stackhouse scored on a spectacular end to end rush for California. Phil Myre was spectacular in goal for Montreal.
53. Feb 07 71 Detroit L 5-2 Gary Smith Jim Rutherford Gordie Howe Gordie Howe scored 2 goals and Alex Delvecchio had a goal and 2 assists to lead the Wings. Seals goals were scored by Bill Hicke and Gerry Ehman.
54. Feb 10 71 Buffalo W 5-1 Gary Smith Roger Crozier Ron Stackhouse The Seals got a goal and 2 assists from Ted Hampson and 2 helpers from Bert Marshall as they ended a 5 game losing streak. Gil Perreault broke Gary Smith's shutout bid midway through the 3rd period.
55. Feb 12 71 @ Buffalo L 3-0 Gary Smith Joe Daley Eddie Shack Phil Goyette had 2 assists for Buffalo. Seals were shut out for the 3rd time this season. This was the second shutout win in Sabres history.
56. Feb 13 71 @ Montreal L 5-2 Gary Smith Rogie Vachon John Ferguson John Ferguson and Phil Roberto scored 25 seconds apart late in the 2nd period to clinch the game for Montreal. Norm Ferguson and Gary Jarrett were the Seals goal scorers.
57. Feb 16 71 @ St. Louis L 5-1 Gary Smith and Chris Worthy Glenn Hall Noel Picard The Blues scored 3 times in the first 3:56 of the game. Gary Jarrett scored the only Seals tally. Frank St. Marseille and Garry Unger each had 2 points for the Blues.
58. Feb 17 71 @ Minnesota L 3-2 Chris Worthy Gilles Gilbert Bill Goldsworthy Bill Goldsworthy scored twice and Jude Drouin had 2 assists to lead Minnesota to the win. Bill Hicke and Ted Hampson were the California goal scorers.
59. Feb 19 71 Boston L 5-0 Gary Smith and Charlie Hodge Ed Johnston    
60. Feb 20 71 Philadelphia W 5-3 Chris Worthy Bruce Gamble Norm Ferguson Norm Ferguson scored twice while Dennis Hextall had a goal and 3 assists as the Seals snapped a 5 game losing streak.
61. Feb 24 71 Montreal L 5-2       Tommy Williams scored a goal and assisted on another in his Seals debut. Carol Vadnais returned from a thumb injury after missing 18 games then was lost for the season with a knee injury.
62. Feb 26 71 Chicago L 3-1 Gary Smith Tony Esposito    
63. Feb 28 71 Los Angeles L 8-3 Chris Worthy and Gary Smith (replaced Worthy early in the second period and allowed 5 goals). Jack Norris Real Lemieux Gilles Marotte and Ross Lonsberry each scored twice for the Kings. Don O'Donoghue had 2 goals for the Golden Seals.
64. Mar 03 71 @ NY Rangers L 8-1 Gary Smith Ed Giacomin Bruce MacGregor Bruce MacGregor had a hat trick and 2 assists while Pete Stemkowski added 2 goals and 3 assists in a Ranger route. Norm Ferguson broke Ed Giacomin's shutout bid for California.
65. Mar 04 71 @ Boston L 7-0 Gary Smith Gerry Cheevers Bobby Orr The Bruins managed 63 shots on goal against a beleagured Gary Smith. John Bucyk scored 3 times while Bobby Orr added a goal and 3 assists. In their last 3 games, the Seals had allowed 23 goals while scoring 4.
66. Mar 06 71 @Philadelphia T 4-4 Chris Worthy Doug Favell Gerry Ehman The Seals scored 3 times in the 3rd period to earn a tie. Gary Dornhoefer had 3 goals, the 3rd straight game an opposing player had a hat trick. Gerry Ehman scored twice and added an assist for the Seals.
67. Mar 07 71 @ Pittsburgh T 3-3 Gary Smith Al Smith Wally Boyer The Seals led 3-0 after 2 periods but settled for a tie. Gerry Ehman, Tommy Williams and Wayne Muloin each had 2 points. Ernie Hicke scored his 20th goal of the year for California. Andy Bathgate and Charlie Burns each had 2 points for Pittsburgh.
68. Mar 10 71 Boston L 8-1 Gary Smith and Chris Worthy Gerry Cheevers Don Awrey It was a record setting day for Boston. Phil Esposito scored his 58th goal of the year, tying Bobby Hull's record. Bobby Orr scored his 34th goal, breaking his own record for goals by a defenseman. Dennis Hextall scored his 20th for the Seals.
69. Mar 14 71 Detroit L 8-5 Gary Smith and Chris Worthy Jim Rutherford Tom Webster Gary Bergman scored twice and Mickey Redmond had 2 points as the Red Wings came back to defeat the Seals. California led 3-0 in the 1st period. Joe Hardy and Bill Hicke each scored twice for the Golden Seals. California was now winless in its last 9 games (0-7-2).
70. Mar 17 71 Pittsburgh W 5-3 Gary Smith Al Smith Gerry Ehman Gerry Ehman scored twice while Gary Croteau, Tommy Williams and Ron Stackhouse each added 2 points as the Seals snapped their 9 game winless streak.
71. Mar 19 71 Chicago L 5-2   Gilles Meloche   Gilles Meloche plays goal for the Black Hawks against the Seals, 1 of only 2 games he would play before joining the Seals.
72. Mar 21 71 Los Angeles W 5-2 Gary Smith Jack Norris Bill Hicke Bill Hicke scored twice and Tommy Williams added a goal and an assist as the Seals downed the Kings in Oakland.
73. Mar 24 71 Toronto L 6-0   Jacques Plante and Bernie Parent    
74. Mar 26 71 St. Louis L 8-5   Glenn Hall   Seals 50th loss of the year.
75. Mar 28 71 @ Vancouver L 11-5 Gary Smith and Chris Worthy Dunc Wilson Wayne Maki Wayne Maki of the Canucks had a hat trick and 2 assists as Vancouver routed the Golden Seals 11-5. The 16 goals was the most scored in a Seals game. Gary Jarrett had a goal and an assist for California.
76. Mar 31 71 Minnesota W 4-1 Gary Smith Gump Worsley Tony Featherstone Ron Stackhouse and Dick Mattiussi each had 2 assists. The North Stars were prevented from clinching 3rd place with the loss.
77. Apr 02 71 Vancouver L 7-2        
78. Apr 03 71 @ Los Angeles L 6-4        

SEALS SEASON LEADERS 1970-71
(Franchise Records in Bold)

Games Played Dennis Hextall, Ernie Hicke, Gerry Ehman, Ron Stackhouse and Doug Roberts 78
Goals Ernie Hicke 22
Assists Dennis Hextall 31
Points Dennis Hextall 52
Penalty Minutes Dennis Hextall 217
Power Play Goals Ernie Hicke 7
Short Handed Goals Ted Hampson, Don O'Donoghue and Carol Vadnais 1
Game Winning Goals Dennis Hextall, Gerry Ehman and Carol Vadnais 3
Game Tying Goals Doug Roberts 1
Shots on Goal Ernie Hicke 202
Shooting PCT* Don O'Donoghue 17.5%
Best +/- * Carol Vadnais -3
Worst +/- * Doug Roberts -56
Games by Goalie Gary Smith 71
Wins by Goalie Gary Smith 19
Goals Agnst Ave** Gary Smith 3.87
Shutouts Gary Smith 2

Note:
*Shooting PCT and Best and Worst +/- based on minimum of 40 games played.
**Goals Against Average based on minimum 20 games played.

Team Captain: Ted Hampson/Carol Vadnais
Alternate Captains: Carol Vadnais, Bill Hicke
General Manager: Frank Selke, Jr. and Bill Torrey
Coach: Fred Glover

Record: 20-53-5 45 points--7th in Western Division
Did not qualify for playoffs.

Record at:
Home: 17-21-1
Road: 3-32-4

vs. West 8-25-3
vs. East 12-28-2

Month Record
October 1-7-2
November 5-8-2
December 5-7-0
January 4-10-1
February 2-11-0
March 3-8-2
April 0-2-0

All Star Game Representatives: Doug Roberts 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 PM
Carol Vadnais 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 PM

Power Play: 39/316 12.3% Rank 14th of 14 teams in NHL
Penalty Kill: 58/254 77.2% Rank 11th of 14 teams in NHL

Seals set an NHL record for most losses in a season: 53 (later broken by NY Islanders in 1972-73 with 60).

Seals set an NHL record for fewest home ties in a season of 70 games or more (1 tie).

Gary Smith sets an NHL record for most losses in one season by a goaltender with 48.

The Seals Dennis Hextall and Pittsburgh's Bryan Hextall become the first ever brother combination in NHL history to lead their respective teams in scoring.

Ticket Prices: Rinkside $6.50. Loge $6.00 Mezzanine $4.50. General Admission $3.00 (sold only the day of the game). (Under 14 ½ price except for general admission).

Home Attendance: 208,953 for 39 home games. Average: 5,358 per game.

Major Transactions

Date Transaction
May 22, 1970 Seals acquire Dennis Hextall from Montreal for cash.
May 22, 1970 Seals obtain Ernie Hicke and Montreal's first round pick in the 1970 draft (Chris Oddleifson) from Montreal for Francois Lacombe and the Seals first round pick in the 1971 draft (Guy Lafleur).
June 9, 1970 Seals acquire Bob Sneddon from Los Angeles in the reverse draft.
June 9, 1970 Seals claim Gary Croteau from Detroit in the intra-league draft.
June 9, 1970 Seals claim Paul Andrea from Vancouver in the intra-league draft.
June 10, 1970 The expansion draft is held to stock Buffalo and Vancouver. Buffalo selects Brian Perry and Howie Menard from the Seals while Vancouver picks Charlie Hodge and Bob Dillabough.
October 1970 Seals sign Hilliard Graves as a free agent.
October 1970 California reacquires Howie Menard from Buffalo for cash.
October 1970 San Diego (WHL) sends Gerry Odrowski to the Seals for cash. The Seals then send Odrowski to Phoenix (WHL) for cash.
November 4, 1970 Sabres claim Paul Andrea on waivers from the Seals.
February 5, 1971 Seals send Harry Howell to Los Angeles for cash.
March 7, 1971 Seals send Ted Hampson & Wayne Muloin to Minnesota for Tommy Williams and Dick Redmond.