Lindros Line Breaks Loose for Flyers

Maybe the first game was only a wake-up call, or maybe the Flyers finally solved Florida’s conservative defense.

Whatever, the Flyers got a goal from Eric Lindros at 9:11 of the third period for a 3-2 victory over the Panthers at Philadelphia on Saturday night and tied their Eastern Conference series, 1-1.

That’s Lindros, who was held without a shot in Game 1, and who plays on a line--with John LeClair and Dale Hawerchuk--that was held to two shots by the Panther defense.

The three combined for two goals and five assists on 21 shots Saturday night.

“We were moving our feet better--getting a little jump,” Lindros said. “We were creating a lot of chances.”

Panther goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck, who stopped all 18 shots in a 2-0 series-opening victory Thursday, had to make 44 saves in a losing effort.

Flyer Coach Terry Murray had big praise for Lindros, who assisted on the goals by LeClair and defenseman Karl Dykhuis.

“I don’t know if there have been too many better games than the one Eric played tonight,” Murray said. “The fire was in his eyes before the game and the intensity was there every time . . . shift after shift.”

Lindros’ game-winner was a slap shot from the right point that trickled through the pads of Vanbiesbrouck.

Colorado 5, Chicago 1--The Avalanche buried backup goalie Jeff Hackett with four first-period goals at Denver to even the series, 1-1.

With regular Blackhawk goalie Ed Belfour suffering from flu, Colorado broke a team record with three goals in a 2:03 span midway through the opening period.

Valeri Kamensky tied the game, 1-1, on the power play at 11:38 and Craig Wolanin’s goal put the Avalanche ahead 70 seconds later. Joe Sakic made it 3-1 less than a minute later, and Uwe Krupp and Adam Deadmarsh added goals for Colorado, which went two for seven on power plays against a team that had not given up a goal on 27 power-play chances.