Wind Damages Roof
On March 1, 1968, the wind damaged the Spectrum’s roof in Philadelphia, forcing the expansion Flyers to find new accommodations for their home games.
On March 1, 1968, a cold front moved into South Philadelphia during a presentation of the Ice Capades. The powerful force tore a gaping hole in the Spectrum roof and would force the Flyers to play the remainder of their regular-season home games in Toronto, Quebec, and Madison Square Garden in New York. The dome was repaired in time to allow the Flyers to compete in their first Stanley Cup playoffs against the St. Louis Blues. The Flyers lost the series in seven games.
Previously, on February 17, 1968, a strong current of air had torn the upper covering off of the structure and violently threw a section of it into the parking lot.
The Flyers made their interim home at Le Colisee in Quebec City, marking the first time in 40 years that the city would witness regular-season NHL games. It was also home to their AHL affiliate, the Quebec Aces.
Ironically Quebec would later join the NHL for the 1979-80 season after the World Hockey Association (WHA) folded. The Quebec Nordiques would choose Eric Lindros first overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft in Buffalo, New York. Lindros never played for the Nordiques. Instead, a trade was worked out, sending him to the Philadelphia Flyers.
Keep You’re Stick on the Ice.
