Flyers at 50: Debut at The Spectrum

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

October 19, 1967

The Flyers 50th anniversary season is three games old and on Thursday will hit the Wells Fargo Center for the home opener. It is fitting that the home opener for the 50th anniversary comes one day after the anniversary of the first game at the Spectrum.

October 18, 1967 was also a memorable day in Flyers history as the team claimed its first win in franchise history, a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Blues.

Goals were scored by Lou Angotti and Ed Hoekstra while Doug Favell made 34 saves in the win.

The next night, October 19, 1967, the Flyers were on home ice, making the debut at The Spectrum against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Just as it was in the first game, the Flyers only goal came from Bill Sutherland, this one at 2:59 of the third period. Leon Rochefort and Hoekstra assisted on the goal that broke a scoreless tie. That would be enough for the Flyers.

Favell was back in net for the second straight night and was perfect making 21 saves for the 1-0 shutout win.

7,812 fans of the new hockey franchise in Philadelphia were in attendance as the Flyers played their first home game and secured their first home win.

Now in their 50th season, the Flyers will take home ice on Thursday in front of a sellout crowd of over 20,000 fans, showing again the longevity of the franchise and its impact on the fans. For America's Showplace, the first Flyers game took place on this day in 1967 and started a tradition of Flyers hockey in the heart of Philadelphia for decades to come.

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