Hi everyone! Thanks to all of you who wrote to me this week with your opinions on the Seals’ chances at contending for the Cup had they not been decimated by the World Hockey Association. The consensus seemed to be that the Seals would have been a very good team, but would have needed a bit more toughness to compete with the Flyers and Bruins. I’d like to think that if the Seals improved enough in 1972-73, they would have added some toughness the following year or the year after that, but it still probably wouldn’t have been enough to push them over the top. Could they have competed for a playoff spot in the West Division (and later in the Adams Division)? I believe so. They might not have overtaken Boston or Buffalo, but the Leafs were not much better than a .500 team, and would have been ripe for the taking. And then in the intense best-of-three preliminary rounds that were taking place back then, maybe the Seals could have surprised someone, especially if their opponent was another .500 team. Anyway, there’s not much point dwelling on what could have been. Let’s focus on what actually happened…

This week, we’re going back to November 12, 1975. The New York Islanders are visiting the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum looking for two points to keep up with the Philadelphia Flyers, who have one more win the standings. This was the year after the Isles made a surprising playoff run, which included a comeback from a 3-0 deficit in the first-round, and narrowly missing a repeat of this feat in the second round. The Isles were a different team, no longer the pushovers they had been in their first few years. Bryan Trottier was just beginning his brilliant Hall-of-Fame career, Glenn “Chico” Resch and Billy Smith were as solid a goaltending tandem as any other in the league, and Denis Potvin was on the verge of a career year (and the first of his three Norris Trophies). The Isles had depth at just about every position too. This was a very good team, just a few years away from its Stanley Cup dynasty. The Seals, on the other hand, were a collection of rookies and second-year players who were not expected to contend for a playoff spot, but something weird happened that November night: the Seals creamed the Islanders. It’s You can read all about this lopsided moment in Seals history right here.

Not sure if anyone was in Toronto to take in the Sport Card Expo, but if not here’s a shot of Gary “Cobra” Simmons signing some autographs. Thanks to Mark Harris for the photos!

If I didn’t know better, I would swear that is one of the famous California Golden Seals rings on Cobra’s right hand, although I’m not sure how he came to acquire one since those were given out during the Charlie Finley years, but some players may have got one after Finley left. If you’re reading this, Cobra, I’m curious.

In case you’re wondering, yes I was fortunate enough to get Cobra’s autograph although not at the Expo. I got it the old fashioned way, through the mail, following the interview I did with him back some ten years ago.

I hope you all have a great weekend, and don’t forget to hug your Mom! Until next time, stay gold!