`AN AMAZING PLACE' : FIRST SPORTING EVENT AT STAPLES A BIG HIT.

Byline: Steve Dilbeck Staff Writer

Spotlights beckoned from the street, soft purple hues reflected off silver pillars inside and fans streamed smoothly into bright concourses.

Los Angeles had its new sporting center, and the $400 million arena was lit up as the star of the show Wednesday night.

The Staples Center hosted its first sporting event when the Kings met the Boston Bruins, and the faithful came out to take in their new high-tech hockey home as much as the start of a new season.

``I'm in awe,'' said Rob Zielinski of Pasadena, wearing a Kings jersey and holding $137 worth of fresh souvenirs. ``It's just an amazing place.''

All the new arena toys were in place, and throngs strolled around the concourses, familiarizing themselves with their new digs. There was plenty to see.

And unlike the dark and often cramped miniconcourses of the Forum, fans welcomed the spacious entries, large windows, completely circular concourses and how well everything was lit.

``Everything is so bright,'' said Mary Marlin of Westlake Village. ``There's so much to see. It's just exciting.''

It was an historic night for Los Angeles sports. But if after Davis Gaines charged the sellout crowd of 18,500 with a rousing national anthem it seemed a lot like another hockey game, albeit in a splashy new pad, the Bruins may have had something to do with it.

On a long list of arena firsts, the first goal scored at Staples Center belonged not to a member of the purple-clad Kings, but to the Bruins' Anson Carter. When Carter slashed in the goal with 15:48 to play in the opening period, all the pregame light shows and inside fireworks were not going to keep the locals' spirits lifted.

Hockey went on as it always has in L.A., just in a much bigger arena. That opening night electricity was plainly missing for much of the ballyhooed debut.

Russ Billings of La Verne said part of it was simply those who came more to be a part of another L.A. happening than to root for the Kings.

``Some of these people just came because it's the first night, although I am surprised at how many are wearing Kings jerseys,'' Billings said. ``But when Boston scored first, that took some air out of the place.''

Billings had some perspective on the evening. Billings said he was at the Forum when the Kings played their first game in Southern California at the Forum in 1967.

``That doesn't even compare to tonight,'' Billings said. ``Hockey was nothing then. This is much more dynamic.

``I think this is a gorgeous place and an outstanding facility, but I wish they hadn't run out of programs.''

Most fans said they had little trouble getting to the arena. Horror stories were out in full force of potential traffic problems, but lines of cars moved smoothly.

``I just zipped right in,'' Zielinski said.

Joyce Huen said she had no traffic problems arriving from Burbank, only finding the lot she was supposed to park in. Huen said her parking pass arrived with a numbered lot, but no instructions as to where it was.

``Finally I just pulled into a different spot and they took it,'' she said.

Some, though, weren't taking chances. Fabian Quintero and his wife, Lisa arrived from their home in Riverside hours before the game. They spent the time walking around Staples and getting an early seat in the Fox Sports Sky Box bar in the arena.

``And I parked in a $15 lot,'' Quintero said. ``I don't know the neighborhood and I didn't want anything to happen our first time here.

``But this is just an awesome place. Every seat has a good sight-line.''

Of course, not everyone was ready to give it rave reviews. Particularly if their rooting interest happens to swing the Bruins' way.

``It feels almost cold,'' said Jill Arnold, originally from Boston and now visiting from New York. ``I do like all the perks -- the restaurants, the bars, the shopping. It's totally L.A. Next time I come, they'll probably have a mall next to it.''

One element women had frequently complained about at the Forum -- the lack of restrooms -- is not a problem at Staples. ``There are a zillion women's restrooms here,'' Huen said.

And there was the very different way to view the game - or not view it - at the Grand Reserve Club. The private club -- cost $10,500 annually -- overlooks downtown. It's awash in overstuffed chairs, ``Birds' Eye Maple'' woodwork, private humidors for cigars of its 200 members, paintings from Kings co-owner Philip Anschutz' private collection and an indoor-outdoor fireplace. The one drawback -- it's not open to the inside of the arena.

But several of the faces that greeted the crowd -- from ushers to ticket takers -- looked familiar. Many were imported from the Forum. It was part homecoming, part opening night bash.

``We wanted to be part of the first time the Kings played here,'' Marlin said. ``So far, it's been great.''

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Photo: (1 -- 2 -- color) Sports fans get some great views at the Staples Center before Wednesday night.

David Crane/Staff Photographer