Edmonton Evens Series at 1-1 With 3-1 Victory

When you are the Stanley Cup champion, you should be able to hold your heads high. Now, the Edmonton Oilers can do that again.

The Oilers used a relentless game of forechecking and goals by Wayne Gretzky--his 50th National Hockey League playoff score--Willy Lindstrom and Dave Hunter to subdue the Philadelphia Flyers, 3-1, Thursday night. Edmonton ended a nine-game winless streak against the Flyers and tied the best-of-seven championship series at 1-1.

And the Oilers restored their pride.

“Tuesday night, we stunk the joint out and we knew it,” defenseman Paul Coffey said. “It was a lazy effort. We know as defending Stanley Cup champions when we come up with an effort like that, it’s a joke.

“They embarrassed us that night . . . outhit, outskated and outworked us. We had to show why we are the champions.”

They did that by beating the Flyers at their own game.

“That’s the kind of game you have to play to be successful in the playoffs,” said Hunter, who hit an empty net with 27 seconds remaining to clinch it.

“We had the jump tonight. I didn’t think we were ready the last game and we knew we have to get ready now, we must play with intensity every shift.”

The Flyers couldn’t escape the blanket-like checking of the Oilers, a team known for its awesome offense and overlooked for its improving skills without the puck. They were beaten at their own game.