The Vancouver Canucks play their first NHL game, a 3-1 loss to the L.A. Kings at the newly built Pacific Coliseum.
The game included an opening ceremony attended by Premier W. A. C. Bennett, Chief Dan George, Mayor Tom Campbell (who was booed by fans) and former Vancouver Millionaires player Cyclone Taylor (who received a standing ovation).
Defenseman Barry Wilkins scored the home team’s first goal at 2:14 of the third period, the first of only five he scored all season.
Following his death from cancer in 2011 at the age of 64, the team hung his jersey in a display case at Rogers Arena along with those of former Canucks Rick Rypien and Pavol Demitra, both of whom died the same year while still in their prime.
