Flames Win in Hockey Exhibition

Professional hockey made a successful return to San Diego Saturday night as the Calgary Flames defeated the St. Louis Blues, 5-4, in a National Hockey League exhibition game at the Sports Arena.

The last time pro hockey was played here was in 1979 when the minor league San Diego Hawks took to the ice.

Saturday, it was defending Campbell Conference champion Calgary and defending Campbell runner-up St. Louis.

“I liked coming here,” Flames Coach Bob Johnson said. “The fans seemed to enjoy it. It’s too bad they’ve had to wait seven years to see a game like this.”

The 11,109 fans on hand saw Flames left winger Gary Roberts and referee Kerry Fraser in starring roles.

Roberts scored the game-winning goal with just under six minutes remaining and also took part in the only fight of the evening. Roberts won that battle, too, one good punch to none over St. Louis’ Rick Pavese.

Fraser, meanwhile, whistled 28 penalties and ordered a total of 90 minutes in the box to both teams.

Fraser’s final call, a cross-check against Calgary’s Al MacInnis, gave the Blues a man advantage in the final two minutes. St. Louis pulled its goalie to gain a extra attacker but could not score.

The last time these two teams met a berth in the 1986 Stanley Cup finals was on the line in Calgary.

There was a lot less at stake Saturday. But there was still some good hockey.

St. Louis took an early 2-0 lead on first-period goals by Gino Cavallini and Greg Paslawski.

Paslawski’s goal came while St. Louis enjoyed a two-player advantage and followed a shot from the point by Rick Nattress that hit the goal post. Paslawski, positioned in front, grabbed the rebound and scored before Calgary goaltender Reggie Lemelin could recover.

Calgary came back to tie, 2-2, by the end of the first period on goals by Dan Quinn and Collin Patterson.

Then, in the second period, the Flames scored twice in a 26-second span to take the lead. John Tonelli scored the first goal on a shot from the right side that deflected off the glove of St. Louis goalie Greg Millen.

Moments later, MacInnis broke free down the right side and fired a shot that trickled through Millen’s pads. Carey Wilson skated in behind Millen and shoved the puck into the net for a 4-2 Flames lead.