A Mighty Debut at The Pond : Hockey: But Ducks are shot down by mightier Detroit Red Wings. The inaugural-game hoopla wows 17,174 on hand.

Marking Orange County’s entry into big-time hockey and the Walt Disney Co.’s daring venture into professional sports, the Mighty Ducks took to the ice Friday night in their first official National Hockey League game before 17,174 cheering fans at the Anaheim Arena.

In the end, the Detroit Red Wings, who some observers believe will contend for the Stanley Cup this season, overwhelmed the Ducks, 7 to 2.

Sean Hill had the Ducks’ inaugural goal, scoring in the second period when the score was 3-0 in favor of the Red Wings. The first goal tallied against the new franchise was scored by Detroit’s Aaron Ward early in the first period. His shot from the blue line caromed off a Duck’s skate and by the goaltender.

As the teams skated out for the opening faceoff, a deafening roar rose from the capacity crowd which, just moments before, had watched one of the most elaborate pregame events in professional sports.

“It feels like opening night at the best show in town,” said Anaheim Mayor Tom Daly. “Everything’s done in first-class Disney style with all the special flourishes.”

Disney’s extravagant pregame show on and off the ice cost at least $450,000. The 20-minute theatrical production included elaborate indoor fireworks displays, a flying entrance by the Ducks’ new mascot and a grand finale with 100 costumed skaters on ice, including the Decoys, the team’s cheerleading squad.

Borrowing from other Disney entertainment products, the show opened with a spotlight at center ice on Lumiere, the friendly cartoon character from “Beauty and the Beast.” The opening song, “Be Our Guest,” was also from the production.

“I thought it was terrific. I thought I was at Disneyland,” Mike Tesoriero, 36, of Downey said about the pregame show. “They don’t know how to skate, but they do know how to put on a show.”

No detail was spared.

Inside each luxury box, the team placed a gift basket of candy and bottled water, along with a chocolate goaltender’s mask shaped like The Mighty Ducks logo.

As fans entered the arena, the staff handed out free duck calls, and a Dixieland band played, “When the Ducks Come Marching In.” Soon, the crowd was squawking in tune with the band.

Taking a cue from the marketing tactics of Jerry Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, Disney also invited a host of celebrities for the season opener. Among those on the guest list were actress Michelle Pfeiffer, singer Paula Abdul and actor Emilio Estevez, who played the coach in “The Mighty Ducks,” the Disney film from which the team’s name is taken.

“This is something I’ll be able to tell my grandkids about 50 years from now--how I was at the first Mighty Ducks game,” said Assemblyman Tom Umberg (D-Garden Grove). “That will be when they’ll be the class of the league and will be winning their 20th Stanley Cup.”

Fans heading to the Anaheim Arena were faced with an acute shortage of parking spaces, only 4,500, but major problems failed to materialize.

To handle the onslaught, more than 30 Anaheim police officers were assigned to traffic control. The city and Disney increased shuttle service to satellite lots, tapped into Anaheim Stadium parking and encouraged local business to lease their employee parking spaces to accommodate fans. The Orange County Transportation Authority also operated a bus line to the game from seven locations around the county.

Shortly before the opening faceoff, however, traffic stopped at the intersection of Katella Avenue and Douglass Road near the arena. Motorists were funneled to Anaheim Stadium where shuttle buses waited. Some left their cars and walked to the arena on foot. Others leaned on their horns in frustration.

“I can’t believe I am missing the start of the game,” said Charles Glass, a financial adviser from Los Angeles, blaming his tardiness on the parking situation.

Scores of fans in Mighty Duck garb filled the Catch restaurant, which offered a dine-and-ride deal for customers going to the game. In their pregame ritual, the fans downed Slapshot Shooters, guzzled Qwacker Smackers, slurped Zamboni Coolers and dined on Duck Gumbo.

Immediately outside the arena, autograph-seekers swarmed Mighty Duck players as they arrived to head into the locker room. Most fans said they did not know the players by sight, but if a person looked like a Duck and walked like a Duck, he was assumed to be a Duck, and was promptly surrounded.

“The players have all been very nice,” said Tina Applewhite, a computer saleswoman from Laguna Beach whose Duck jersey was signed by left wing Tim Sweeney. “They don’t have to take the time to do this.”

The large turnout, no doubt, was partly due to the Disney marketing operation, which has been applied to the Ducks in innovative ways. Company executives are aiming to expand the traditional hockey audience to include youngsters, and have linked the team through advertising to the Disney image and the company’s popular attractions.

Mighty Duck merchandise already accounts for roughly 75% of all souvenirs and memorabilia sold by all NHL franchises. Teal-blue jerseys, duck calls, stickers and T-shirts bearing the Duck logo have been sold across the United States, Canada and Europe.

The team’s logo--a duck-shaped goalie mask and crossed hockey sticks--has become quickly embedded in American popular culture, though the team name is still capable of bringing snickers.

During Friday night’s game, the frenzy for Mighty Duck merchandise continued. Vendors proclaimed the opening of “duck season.” Team T-shirts were an especially hot item, and three hours before game time, vendor Mike Wynn had already sold more than 100 programs at $5 each.

“Some guy walked up and bought 70,” Wynn said. “He owns a sports shop in Detroit and he plans on reselling them at $10 a pop.”

Jeff Whisman, 24, who came all the way from Nashville, Tenn., for a “weekend of hockey,” emerged from the team store, where 60 to 70 people were waiting to get in. Whisman had come to the game with a shopping list from his friends and thought nothing about paying $180 for a Duck jersey.

“They all want T-shirts, T-shirts, T-shirts,” he said.

The overwhelming response is a far cry from the public skepticism that original plans for the arena received. It did not die away completely until Disney last year announced it was buying a hockey franchise and would bring it to Anaheim. The team eventually provided the arena a major tenant for the $121-million sports citadel, making Anaheim one of the few cities in the nation that offers professional sports year-round.

“I guess this will show all the doomsayers,” said Anaheim Councilman Fred Hunter. “I had some guy come up to me, someone I don’t even know, who said ‘Fred, this is your vision. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t even be here.’ This makes me very proud.”

Hunter was mayor when the arena was first conceived and was its primary backer.

“The Ducks are for real,” said Bruce McNall, the owner of the Los Angeles Kings, who came to get a first-hand look at the competition. “The Ducks are great for the Kings. Hopefully, the Kings will be good for the Ducks.”

Noting the Mighty Duck tie he was wearing, McNall, who received a franchise fee to allow the Ducks into the King’s market area, added, “For $25 million I got to wear it.”

* THE GLITTER--The well-heeled wined and dined at Anaheim’s new capital of chic. A20

* PROBLEMS--The traffic cleared, and most everyone was inside by 8:15. A20

* THE GAME--The Ducks fall to the Detroit Red Wings, 7-2. C1

* MIKE PENNER--After the festivities, the game was the undercard. C1

* THE AFTERMATH--The game was as lopsided as the final score indicated. C4

* GAME IN PICTURES C5