Flyers Defeat Oilers in First Game Since Lindbergh’s Death

In their first game since the death of goalie Pelle Lindbergh, the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Edmonton Oilers, 5-3, Thursday night at Philadelphia.

“The big question during the week was how we would react tonight to Edmonton,” Flyer captain Dave Poulin said. “Nobody knew. But we knew we had to respond because Edmonton is a great team.

“We had a great amount of pressure this week because of Pelle’s passing. We had to meet a great challenge.”

The Oilers had offered to postpone the game, but the Flyers chose to play. Before the game there was a memorial service for Lindbergh, who was killed in a Sunday morning car accident.

The Spectrum was darkened, a wreath of flowers depicting Lindbergh’s No. 31 jersey was placed at center ice and a capacity crowd of more than 17,000 stood silently. During the 23-minute service the Swedish goalie was recalled as one who loved life.

“It wasn’t particularly emotional after the ceremony,” Flyer Coach Mike Keenan said. “These players have grieved all week.”

The Flyers tied a team record with their 11th straight victory.

“Winning or losing was not the factor,” Keenan said. “It was the way they played the game, their intensity.”

Brian Propp scored one goal and set up another for the Flyers, who scored four times in the third period to defeat the defending Stanley Cup champions. It was the first game between the clubs since last spring’s Stanley Cup finals.

Keenan praised goalie Darren Jensen, who was recalled from the minor leagues Wednesday.

“He was under a lot of pressure,” Keenan said. “He didn’t have much time to think about starting and maybe that helped him.”

Keenan said he didn’t hold a practice Thursday afternoon “because I didn’t want them to expend the energy they would need for the game.”

Jensen said he was extremely nervous about the starting assignment, so nervous that he was not able to eat Thursday afternoon.

“I had all sorts of butterflies,” he said. “But once the game started, I thought about hockey.”

Jensen gave a lot of credit to his teammates and to the Philadelphia fans.

“When they (the fans) shouted my name, I got goose bumps,” he said. The fans gave the Flyers great support throughout the game, even when they gave up goals.

Craig MacTavish of Edmonton said: “The Flyers obviously were ready to play hockey tonight. It seemed that they wanted to put the stuff about Lindbergh out of their minds. I’m sure they were ready to get back and play some hockey.”

MacTavish, who was involved several years ago in an auto accident that resulted in the death of a driver of another car, said that Lindbergh’s accident “definitely hit home with me.

“I had been in similar circumstances and I realize how lucky I am to be here.”