1973-1974 Season

1973-74 was the nadir of this hard luck franchise. Owner Charles O. Finley could not find a buyer for the team and seemed to have lost interest fot the NHL bought the club back from Finley--for $6.5 million. then, the NHL took over the running of the team "until a suitable local ownership could be found." When Finley sold the team, Fred Glover resigned and Marshall Johnston retired as an active player to become coach. On the ice, the Seals fared even worse than the previous year. Darryl Maggs and Rick Smith left before the season and signed with the WHA further thinning the team's defense. Gilles Meloche and backup Marv Edwards were both lost for long stretches due to injury which further hurt the Seals chances. In the end, the club won only 13 games and finished the year 42 games under .500.

Game Date Opponent Result Seals Goalie Opp. Goalie W/T Goal Notes
1. Oct 10 73 St. Louis W 2-1 Gilles Meloche John Davidson Gary Croteau Gary Croteau's goal with 2:22 left in the game gave the Seals a win in their season opener. Joey Johnston also scored for California. Garry Unger and Bob Stewart had a fight just 6 seconds into the game.
2. Oct 12 73 Chicago W 3-2 Gilles Meloche Tony Esposito Walt McKechnie Joey Johnston scored once and set up the other 2 goals in the Seals win. Craig Patrick scored just 11 seconds into the game, a club record. The Seals set a franchise record by winning their 6th straight game (4 of them at the end of last season).
3. Oct 17 73 Philadelphia L 5-1 Gilles Meloche Bernie Parent Rick MacLeish Rick MacLeish had a goal and 2 assists to lead the Flyers attack. Joey Johnston scored for the third straight game for California.
4. Oct 20 73 @ Pittsburgh L 5-3 Marv Edwards Jim Rutherford Ron Schock Joey Johnston set a team record by scoring just 7 seconds into the 2nd period. "The Jet" had now scored in 4 straight games. Al McDonough and Bob McManama each had a goal and an assist for the Pens.
5. Oct 21 73 @ Detroit L 11-2 Gilles Meloche Doug Grant Guy Charron Guy Charron scored 3 times while Nick Libett and Ace Bailey each scored twice as the Reg Wings crushed the Seals. Ivan Boldirev and Joey Johnston scored for California. Johnston had now scored in 5 straight games.
6. Oct 24 73 Detroit W 7-3 Gilles Meloche Doug Grant and Terry Richardson Hilliard Graves Gary Croteau netted a hat trick for the Seals and Ivan Boldirev scored once and assisted on 2 California goals. Joey Johnston scored for the 6th straight game.
7. Oct 26 73 Atlanta L 3-1 Gilles Meloche and Marv Edwards Dan Bouchard Rey Comeau Rey Comeau scored twice and set up the other Flames goal to lead the Atlanta attack. Leon Rochefort assisted on 2 goals for the Flames. Gary Croteau scored for the Seals. Joey Johnston's goal scoring streak was snapped at six.
8. Oct 28 73 @ Philadelphia L 2-1 Marv Edwards Bernie Parent Bill Clement Marv Edwards made 45 saves for the beleaguered Seals who were outshot 47-22. Craig Patrick scored for California.
9. Oct 31 73 @ Buffalo L 3-2 Marv Edwards Dave Dryden Richard Martin Richard Martin scored all 3 goals for Buffalo while Rene Robert had 2 assists. Joey Johnston and Pete Laframboise scored for the Seals.
10. Nov 01 73 @ Atlanta L 7-2 Gilles Meloche Dan Bouchard Rey Comeau Tom Lysiak led the Flames attack with 3 points including his first career NHL goal. Walt McKechnie and Ivan Boldirev scored for the Seals who lost their 4th straight.
11. Nov 03 73 @ Montreal L 6-2 Gilles Meloche Wayne Thomas Murray Wilson Guy Lafleur, Chuck Lefley and Henri Richard each had a goal and an assist for the Habs. Gary Croteau and Pete Laframboise scored for the Seals.
12. Nov 04 73 @ Boston L 4-1 Gilles Meloche Ross Brooks Chris Oddleifson The Seals lost their 6th straight game. Phil Esposito did the most damage, scoring twice for the Bruins. Stan Gilbertson scored the only goal for the Golden Seals.
13. Nov 07 73 Chicago T 1-1 Gilles Meloche Tony Esposito Morris Mott Morris Mott's late goal gave the Seals a 1-1 tie against the Black Hawks. Mott converted a pass from Rick Kessell to score his first goal of the year. Cliff Koroll scored for Chicago.
14. Nov 09 73 Buffalo W 6-3 Gilles Meloche Dave Dryden Stan Gilbertson Reggie Leach scored twice while Joey Johnston tied a Seals record with 4 assists as the Seals downed Buffalo to end their 7 game winless streak (0-6-1).
15. Nov 14 73 Toronto L 4-1 Gilles Meloche Ed Johnston Darryl Sittler Paul Henderson scored twice for Toronto. Ivan Boldirev scored for California.
16. Nov 16 73 Philadelphia L 2-1 Gilles Meloche Bernie Parent Bill Flett Walt McKechnie scored for the Seals. Hilliard Graves and Dave Schultz had one of their classic confrontations with Graves getting the best of the battle.
17. Nov 18 73 @ Buffalo W 2-0 Gilles Meloche Roger Crozier Ivan Boldirev Gilles Meloche records the only shutout of the season for the Seals. Hilliard Graves also scores for California. This was the Seals first of 2 road wins in 1973-74.
18. Nov 21 73 @ NY Rangers L 3-0 Gilles Meloche Ed Giacomin Jean Ratelle Ed Giacomin made 24 saves. Ratelle and Dale Rolfe had a goal and an assist for New York.
19. Nov 24 73 @ Minnesota L 6-3 Gilles Meloche Cesare Maniago Dennis O'Brien Fred Harvey, Rod Norrish, Dennis Hextall and Dennis O'Brien had 2 points each for Minnesota. Joey Johnston did the same for the Seals.
20. Nov 25 73 @ Detroit L 3-2 Gilles Meloche Doug Grant Nick Libett Joey Johnston and Stan Weir score for the Golden Seals.
21. Nov 28 73 Minnesota W 5-1 Marv Edwards Cesare Maniago Stan Gilbertson Gilles Meloche was injured before the game and would be out until January 16th. Pete Laframboise scored twice and added an assist while Ivan Boldirev had a goal and 2 assists for California.
22. Dec 01 73 @ Toronto L 3-1 Marv Edwards Dunc Wilson Norm Ullman Darryl Sittler had a goal and an assist while Inge Hammarstrom had 2 assists for Toronto.
23. Dec 02 73 @ Philadelphia L 5-1 Marv Edwards Bernie Parent Dave Schultz The teams combine for 129 penalty minutes, highlighted by an all out attack on Seals defenseman Barry Cummins by a group of Flyers after Cummins retaliated when Bobby Clarke speared him.
24. Dec 05 73 @ Atlanta T 3-3 Marv Edwards and Ted Tucker Phil Myre Joey Johnston Craig Patrick, Ray McKay and Joey Johnston scored for the Seals. McKay's goal was the first of his NHL career. Marv Edwards was injured in this game so the Seals were now without both of their top 2 goaltenders.
25. Dec 07 73 @ Pittsburgh W 4-3 Ted Tucker and Bob Champoux Denis Herron Reggie Leach Joey Johnston had a goal and 2 assists while Walt McKechnie, Marshall Johnston and Reggie Leach each scored a goal and assisted on another. Syl Apps had 2 assists for Pittsburgh.
26. Dec 09 73 @ NY Rangers L 6-3 Bob Champoux Gilles Villemure Larry Sacharuk Vic Hadfield scored twice and Rod Gilbert had a goal and 2 assists for the Rangers. Morris Mott and Stan Gilbertson each had a goal and an assist to lead the Seals attack.
27. Dec 11 73 @ NY Islanders L 6-3 Bob Champoux Gerry Desjardins Billy Harris Rookie Denis Potvin led the Islanders attack with a goal and 3 assists. Ivan Boldirev had a goal and 2 assists for California.
28. Dec 12 73 @ Pittsburgh L 9-1 Bob Champoux and Ted Tucker Jim Rutherford Ron Lalonde Ron Schock led all Penguin scorers with 2 goals and 2 assists. Ted Snell had a goal and 3 assists while Syl Apps scored twice. Joey Johnston tied the game at 1-1 in the first period but the Seals gave up the game's last 8 goals.
29. Dec 14 73 Montreal T 2-2 Bob Champoux Michel Plasse Reggie Leach Goals by Walt McKechnie and Reggie Leach helped the Seals erase a 2-0 deficit. Ted McAneeley assisted on both Seals goals while Bob Champoux made 25 saves for the Seals.
30. Dec 16 73 @ Boston L 5-3 Bob Champoux Gilles Gilbert Terry O'Reilly Phil Esposito scored twice and Dallas Smith had 3 assists for Boston. Marshall Johnston set up 2 goals for the Seals.
31. Dec 18 73 @ Montreal L 4-1 Bob Champoux Michel Larocque Frank Mahovlich Claude Larose had a goal and an assist for Montreal. Stan Weir scored the only goal for California.
32. Dec 19 73 @ Toronto L 5-3 Bob Champoux Doug Favell Errol Thompson The Seals led 3-2 but could not hold the lead. Borje Salming assisted on 3 goals for Toronto while Morris Mott's 2 assists led the Seals offense. Bob Champoux made 38 saves for California.
33. Dec 23 73 Minnesota T 2-2 Bob Champoux Fern Rivard J.P. Parise Ray McKay and Ivan Boldirev gave the Seals a 2-0 lead which they could not hold. California was now winless in its last 8 games (0-6-2).
34. Dec 26 73 @ Vancouver L 6-4 Bob Champoux Jacques Caron Dennis Ververgaert The Seals lost their 3rd straight Boxing Day game in Vancouver. Morris Mott and Stan Weir each extended their point scoring streak to 5 games. Paulin Bordeleau had a goal and an assist for the Canucks.
35. Dec 28 73 NY Islanders T 4-4 Bob Champoux Gerry Desjardins Billy Harris Gary Croteau had 2 goals and an assist for the Seals while Ivan Boldirev scored once and assisted on 2 goals. Morris Mott extended his point scoring streak to 6 games.
36. Dec 30 73 Boston L 8-1 Bob Champoux Ross Brooks John Bucyk Chris Oddleifson scored 4 goals for Boston. Terry O'Reilly had 4 assists and Bobby Orr had 3. Walt McKechnie scored for California. Morris Mott's scoring streak came to an end.
37. Jan 02 74 Los Angeles W 5-2 Bob Champoux Rogie Vachon Craig Patrick The Seals won for the first time since December 7th. Craig Patrick scored twice to lead the Oakland attack. Rogie Vachon stopped Joey Johnston on a penalty shot.
38. Jan 05 74 @ St. Louis L 4-1 Bob Champoux Wayne Stephenson Glen Sather Garry Unger, Glen Sather and Pierre Plante each had 2 points for St. Louis. Stan Weir scored for California.
39. Jan 06 74 @ Chicago L 9-4 Bob Champoux Mike Veisor Lynn Powis Dennis Hull scored a hat trick and 2 assists for the Hawks. Reggie Leach scored 3 goals for the Seals while Brent Meeke had 3 assists.
40. Jan 09 74 St. Louis W 8-6 Bob Champoux and Ted Tucker Wayne Stephenson & John Davidson Ivan Boldirev Ivan Boldirev Ivan Boldirev tied a Seals record with 4 goals while Barry Cummins, Rick Kessell and Joey Johnston each had a goal and an assist for California. It was the first goal of Cummins' NHL career. Butch Williams and Floyd Thomson had 3 points each for St. Louis.
41. Jan 11 74 Vancouver L 3-2 Ted Tucker Gary Smith Dennis Ververgaert Dennis Ververgaert scored twice and Gary Smith made 28 saves for Vancouver. Brent Meeke and Walt McKechnie scored for the Seals. Meeke's goal was the first in his NHL career.
42. Jan 13 74 NY Rangers L 7-2 Bob Champoux Ed Giacomin Steve Vickers Pete Stemkowski and Brad Park had 3 points each for New York. The Rangers scored 5 3rd period goals to break this one open.
43. Jan 16 74 Toronto T 5-5 Gilles Meloche Doug Favell Lanny McDonald Gilles Meloche's first game since November 25th. Stan Gilbertson and Rick Kessell each had 3 points for the Seals.
44. Jan 18 74 @ Atlanta L 6-2 Gilles Meloche Phil Myre Larry Romanchych John Stewart, Bob Leiter and Leon Rochefort all had 3 points for Atlanta. Walt McKechnie scored both Seals goals.
45. Jan 20 74 @ Buffalo L 6-4 Gilles Meloche Dave Dryden Richard Martin Richard Martin had 2 goals and 2 assists while Gilbert Perreault had 3 helpers for the Sabres. Ivan Boldirev scored twice for California while Joey Johnston and Marshall Johnston also had 2 points each.
46. Jan 22 74 @ NY Islanders L 4-3 Gilles Meloche Gerry Desjardins Bob Nystrom Craig Cameron and Brian Spender had 2 points each for the Isles. Ivan Boldirev, Joey Johnston and Morris Mott scored for the Seals.
47. Jan 23 74 @ Detroit L 6-2 Gilles Meloche Bill McKenzie Nick Libett Marcel Dionne scored once and assisted on 2 Wings goals. Pierre Jarry had 2 goals for Detroit. Walt McKechnie scored both Seals goals.
48. Jan 25 74 Philadelphia L 5-0 Gilles Meloche Bernie Parent Gary Dornhoefer The Flyers extended the Seals winless streak to 8 games (0-7-1). Bernie Parent made 33 saves. Ross Lonsberry and Gary Dornhoefer had 3 points each to lead the Flyers attack.
49. Jan 27 74 Minnesota T 2-2 Gilles Meloche   Ivan Boldirev  
50. Jan 30 74 @ St. Louis L 6-4        
51. Jan 31 74 @ Chicago L 2-1 Gilles Meloche Tony Esposito Dale Tallon Joey Johnston scored for California. Stan Mikita netted the other Chicago goal.
52. Feb 02 74 @ Los Angeles L 3-1 Gilles Meloche Rogie Vachon Juha Widing Bob Berry scored and assisted on another Kings goal. Ivan Boldirev scored for California. It was his 20th goal of the year, the first time he reached the 20 goal mark in his career.
53. Feb 03 74 NY Islanders W 4-2 Gilles Meloche Chico Resch Reggie Leach The Seals 12 game winless streak (0-10-2) finally came to an end. Joey Johnston scored twice and assisted on 1 goal while Reg Leach and Spike Huston had 2 points each.
54. Feb 06 74 Vancouver W 4-2 Gilles Meloche Ed Dyck & Gary Smith Ron Huston Stan Gilbertson scored twice to lead the Seals. "Spike" Huston scored his first NHL goal. The Seals tied their longest winning streak of the season (2 games).
55. Feb 08 74 Buffalo L 7-2 Gilles Meloche Rocky Farr Richard Martin Gilbert Perreault had 4 points as the French Connection Line dominated the Seals. Gary Croteau and Spike Huston scored for California.
56. Feb 13 74 Boston L 9-6 Gilles Meloche Ross Brooks Bobby Schmautz John Bucyk scored 3 times and had 1 assist for Boston. Greg Sheppard and Bobby Orr had 4 points each for Boston. Reggie Leach and Ivan Boldirev scored 2 goals each for the Seals. Phil Esposito picked up his 100th point of the season.
57. Feb 16 74 @ Pittsburgh L 7-3 Gilles Meloche Andy Brown Syl Apps Marshall Johnston retires as a player and takes over as coach of the Seals. The white skates were retired as well once the NHL bought the team back from Charlie Finley. Syl Apps and Jean-Guy Legace scored once and added 2 assists to pace the Pens. Gilles Meloche stopped Chuck Arnason on a penalty shot. Lyle Bradley scored his first NHL goal for the Seals while Ted McAneeley had 2 assists.
58. Feb 17 74 @ Minnesota L 7-1 Gilles Meloche Gump Worsley Fred Harvey Fred Harvey scored twice for the North Stars. Stan Weir broke Gump Worsley's shutout bid with just 1:18 left in the game.
59. Feb 20 74 @ Chicago L 3-0 Gilles Meloche Tony Esposito Jim Pappin Dennis Hull led the Chicago attack with a goal and an assist. Tony O made 28 saves as the Seals lost their 5th straight game.
60. Feb 22 74 NY Rangers L 4-3 Gilles Meloche Ed Giacomin Jerry Butler Jerry Butler scored twice and assisted on one goal. Reggie Leach, Pete Laframboise and Ivan Boldirev scored for the Seals.
61. Feb 27 74 St. Louis T 2-2 Gilles Meloche John Davidson Stan Weir Stan Weir scored with 9 seconds left and the Seals net empty to secure a 2-2 tie for the Seals. Pete Laframboise also scored for California. Gord Brooks and Larry Giroux scored for the Blues.
62. Mar 02 74 @ Montreal W 4-3 Gilles Meloche Michel Plassse and Michel Larocque Gary Croteau Hilliard Graves had a goal and 2 assists to lead the Seals to an upset win at the Forum in Montreal. Gary Croteau added a goal and an assist for the Seals. Gilles Meloche made 38 saves. The Seals ended a 24 game road losing streak. They would never defeat the Habs again in their remaining 12 games (0-11-1).
63. Mar 03 74 @ NY Rangers L 8-2 Marv Edwards Ed Giacomin Brad Park Marv Edwards played goal for the first time since December 5th. Brad Park scored twice and added an assist while Pete Stemkowski and Jerry Butler also had 3 assists. Reggie Leach and Stan Gilbertson scored for California.
64. Mar 05 74 @ Los Angeles L 2-1 Marv Edwards Gary Edwards Bob Murdoch Walt McKechnie scored for the Seals. Mike Corrigan scored the other Kings goal.
65. Mar 06 74 Chicago T 3-3 Gilles Meloche Tony Esposito Stan Mikita The Seals blew 3 one goal leads. Morris Mott, Gary Croteau and Joey Johnston scored for the Seals.
66. Mar 10 74 Boston W 6-2 Gilles Meloche Ross Brooks Hilliard Graves Reggie Leach scored 3 goals and Hilliard Graves added 2 as the Seals defeated the Bruins. Joey Johnston set up 3 Seals goals while Spike Huston and Ivan Boldirev had 2 helpers each.
67. Mar 13 74 Detroit L 5-2 Marv Edwards Jim Rutherford Red Berenson Marcel Dionne scored twice while Red Berenson and Doug Roberts each had 2 points. Walt McKechnie and Joey Johnston scored for the Seals.
68. Mar 15 74 Pittsburgh L 6-1 Gilles Meloche Gary Innes Wayne Bianchin Wayne Bianchin and Bernie Lukowich had 2 points each for Pittsburgh. Hilliard Graves scored the only Seals goal.
69. Mar 19 74 @ Minnesota L 6-3 Gilles Meloche Cesare Maniago Fred Harvey Alain Langlais and Dennis Hextall had 3 points each to lead the North Stars. Walt McKechnie scored twice for the Seals.
70. Mar 21 74 @ Los Angeles L 6-3 Gilles Meloche Rogie Vachon Mike Murphy  
71. Mar 22 74 Toronto L 3-2 Gilles Meloche Doug Favell Dave Keon Ivan Boldirev and Stan Gilbertson both had a goal and an assist for California. Dave Keon had a goal and an assist for Toronto.
72. Mar 24 74 Los Angeles L 7-1 Gilles Meloche Rogie Vachon Bob Nevin Butch Goring and Bob Nevin each scored once and set up 2 more goals in the Kings route. Pete Laframboise scored for California.
73. Mar 27 74 NY Islanders T 2-2 Marv Edwards Gerry Desjardins Walt McKechnie Joey Johnston and Walt McKechnie scored for the Seals, Billy Harris and Ed Westfall for the Isles. Morris Mott had 2 assists. The tie ended a 6 game losing streak for California.
74. Mar 29 74 Montreal L 4-3 Gilles Meloche Wayne Thomas Henri Richard Henri Richard scored twice for Montreal. The Seals were outshot 17-1 in the 2nd period. Reggie Leach, Joey Johnston and Stan Gilbertson were the Seals scorers.
75. Mar 31 74 @ Vancouver L 7-0 Gilles Meloche Gary Smith Don Lever Don Lever scored 3 times and assisted on 2 more as the Canucks crushed the Seals. Dennis Ververgaert also had 2 goals and 2 assists for Vancouver.
76. Apr 02 74 @ St. Louis L 5-3 Marv Edwards Wayne Stephenson Floyd Thomson Garry Unger and Ace Bailey both had a goal and an assist to lead the Blues. Del Hall scored the first 2 goals of his NHL career for California.
77. Apr 03 74 Vancouver L 4-1 Gilles Meloche Gary Smith Chris Oddleifson Hilliard Graves scored the goal for the Seals. Andre Boudrias and Chris Oddleifson had 2 points each for Vancouver.
78. Apr 05 74 Atlanta L 4-2 Gilles Meloche Phil Myre Tom Lysiak Tom Lysiak, Keith McCreary and Al McDonough had 2 points each to lead the Flames attack. Joey Johnston and Ivan Boldirev scored for the Seals. California ended the season on a 12 game winless streak (0-11-1).

SEALS SEASON LEADERS 1973-74
(Franchise Records in Bold)

Games Played Joey Johnston, Ivan Boldirev & Reggie Leach 78
Goals Joey Johnston 27
Assists Joey Johnston 40
Points Joey Johnston 67
Penalty Minutes Bob Stewart 69
Power Play Goals Joey Johnston 9
Short Handed Goals Joey Johnston & Walt McKechnie 2
Game Winning Goals Reggie Leach 3
Game Tying Goals Joey Johnston 3
Shots on Goal Ivan Boldirev 220
Shooting PCT* Walt McKechnie 17.0%
Best +/-* Rick Kessell -4
Worst +/-* Reggie Leach -61
Games by Goalie Gilles Meloche 47
Wins by Goalie Gilles Meloche 9
Goals Agnst Ave** Gilles Meloche 4.24
Shutouts Gilles Meloche 1

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: Joey Johnston
Alternate Captains: Ivan Boldirev, Walt McKechnie, Marshall Johnston & Gary Croteau
General Manager: Fred Glover & Garry Young
Coach: Fred Glover & Marshall Johnston

Record: 13-55-10 36 points--8th in Western Division
Did not qualify for playoffs.

Record at:
Home: 11-18-10
Road: 2-37-0

vs. West 6-26-6
vs. East 7-29-4

Month Record
October 3-6-0
November 3-8-1
December 1-10-4
January 2-11-2
February 2-7-1
March 2-10-2
April 0-3-0

All Star Game Representatives: Joey Johnston 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 PM

Power Play: 34/268 16.4%
Penalty Kill:46/221 79.2%

Seals set an all-time NHL record with 37 road losses (later broken by the 1974-75 Washington Capitals with 39).

Set NHL record with fewest road ties in a season--0

The Seals allow 14 short handed goals to be scored against them, breaking the NHL record of 13 held by the 1972-73 NY Islanders.

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: 191,782 for 39 home games. Average: 4,850 per game.

Major Transactions

Date Transaction
May 17, 1973 Seals acquire Gary Coalter and Dave Hrechkosy from the NY Rangers for cash to complete the Bert Marshall deal.
June 10, 1973 Ted Tucker acquired from Atlanta for cash.
June 10, 1973 Minnesota claims Lyle Carter in the reverse draft.
June 12, 1973 Ray McKay acquired from Buffalo in the intra-league draft.
June 13, 1973 Rick Kessell is claimed from the Penguins in the reverse draft. San Diego of the WHL claims Al Simmons from the Seals.
September 1973 Bob Girard and Gary Holt signed as free agents.
November 1973 Bob Champoux signed as a free agent.
February 16, 1974 Marshall Johnston announces his retirement as a player to become head coach of the Seals. Fred Glover resigns as coach.
March 12, 1974 Seals send Tom Cassidy to Los Angeles for cash.