THE SIDELINES : Calgary Flames Land at Leningrad

The Stanley Cup champion Calgary Flames became the first NHL team to visit the Soviet Union today, arriving with their own hockey sticks, medical equipment and cereal.

Airport officials and other passengers were astounded as dozens of huge red-and-yellow Calgary bags were unloaded, many laden with equipment and Western foods.

Though NHL all-star teams have been traveling to the Soviet Union sporadically since 1972, the Soviets never invited an individual team until this year.

Calgary will play a local squad, Khimik Voskresensk, on Thursday. The following day, the Washington Capitals play at Moscow’s Spartak. The Capitals have been playing in Sweden and will arrive in the Soviet Union Thursday.