After winning Game 1 6-2, the 3rd-seeded ’75-’76 California Golden Seals, who represented the extinct franchise in the inaugural Ultimate NHL Playoff, lost four straight as the ’72-’73 California Golden Seals advance to the Semifinal round. Defenseman Ted McAneeley helped lead the charge in Game 2 for the ’72-’73 Golden Seals with four assists while winger Craig Patrick potted two goals in their 7-5 win. The ’72-’73 Golden Seals dominated in Game 3 with goaltender Gilles Meloche allowing just one goal on 43 shots. Six different players scored for the ’72-’73 Golden Seals in their 6-1 win in Game 3 and four different players registered a multi-point game. Game 4 was not nearly as easy for the ’72-’73 Golden Seals as they needed an overtime winner from Walt McKechnie to take a 3-1 series lead. Both goalies, who also happen to both be Meloche, stopped over 60 shots in the game. Then, in Game 5, after a scoreless first period, the two teams erupted for six goals a piece over the course of the second and third periods. A power play goal from Wayne Merrick with less than two minutes left for the ’75-’76 Golden Seals forced an overtime. However, McAneeley ended the overtime just 26 seconds in and sent the ’72-’73 Golden Seals onto the next round. 

GAME 1:

GAME SUMMARY: ’75-’76 CGS – 6   ’72-’73 CGS – 1    (1-0 ’75-’76 CGS)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: RW – Al MacAdam (’75-’76 CGS) – 2 G   1 A   3 P   +5   8 S

2nd Star: G – Gilles Meloche (’75-’76 CGS) – W   2.00 GAA   .957 SV% (45 SV’s)

3rd Star: D – Mike Christie (’75-’76 CGS) – 2 G   0 A   2 P   +3   6 S   2 PIM

GAME 2:

GAME SUMMARY: ’72-’73 CGS – 7   ’75-’76 CGS – 5    (1-1)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: D – Ted McAneeley (’72-’73 CGS) – 0 G   4 A   4 P   Even   5 S

2nd Star: RW – Craig Patrick (’72-’73 CGS) – 2 G   0 A   2 P   +2   3 S

3rd Star: RW – Al MacAdam (’75-’76 CGS) – 2 G   0 A   2 P   +2   3 S

GAME 3:

GAME SUMMARY: ’72-’73 CGS – 6   ’75-’76 CGS – 1    (2-1 ’72-’73 CGS)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: G – Gilles Meloche (’72-’73 CGS) – W   1.00 GAA   .977 SV% (42 SV’s)

2nd Star: D – Marshall Johnston (’72-’73 CGS) – 1 G   1 A   2 P   +4   4 S

3rd Star: C – Walt McKechnie (’72-’73 CGS) – 1 G   1 A   2 P   +2   6 S

GAME 4:

GAME SUMMARY: ’72-’73 CGS – 5   ’75-’76 CGS – 4 (OT)    (3-1 ’72-’73 CGS)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: G – Gilles Meloche (’72-’73 CGS) – W   4.00 GAA   .939 SV% (62 SV’s)

2nd Star: G – Gilles Meloche (’75-’76 CGS) – L   5.00 GAA   .926 SV% (63 SV’s)

3rd Star: C – Walt McKechnie (’72-’73 CGS) – 2 G   0 A   2 P   +2   8 S

GAME 5:

GAME SUMMARY: ’72-’73 CGS – 7   ’75-’76 CGS – 6 (OT)    (4-1 ’72-’73 CGS)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: D – Bob Stewart (’72-’73 CGS) – 2 G   0 A   2 P   +3   4 S

2nd Star: RW – Al MacAdam (’75-’76 CGS) – 1 G   4 A   5 P   -2   7 S

3rd Star: C – Wayne Merrick (’75-’76 CGS) – 2 G   2 A   4 P   -2   12 S

Thus ends the 1st Round of the 2015 Oakland/California (Golden) Seals Qualifying Tournament! The Semifinal will take place tomorrow!