 |
 |
|
| | Friday, January 28 | ||||||||||
| PHILADELPHIA -- Eric Lindros had an immediate impact in his
return to the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Flyers captain rejoined the lineup Thursday night after missing four games with a concussion and scored an early goal in Philadelphia's 4-2 win over Florida. Lindros, who received his third concussion in 22 months Jan. 14 in Atlanta, scored his first goal since Jan. 2 with 8:38 left in the first period and even got into a fight late in the third. "I felt great, I played all night," said Lindros, who missed 18 games two seasons ago because of post-concussion syndrome. "A lot has to do with how I feel with the puck. I found out I was able to do much more things with the puck out there. That's a good feeling. It carries over to the other aspects of your game."Lindros slammed Florida's Robert Svehla into the boards near the Panthers' bench with two minutes left and the Flyers leading 3-1. Lindros pummeled Todd Simpson in a fight as a Philadelphia teammate headed off Paul Laus, who tried to double-team the Flyers captain. "I wasn't into fighting," Lindros said. "I wasn't going to initiate anything or get involved early. But you do what you've got to do to get by. That's fine. You just tie up arms and wait for your chance." On his 18th goal of the season, Lindros slammed home a loose puck in the crease after a pass from longtime linemate John LeClair, giving the Flyers a 2-1 lead."I think it's great that Eric came out banging, and everyone else followed," said Mark Recchi, who scored his 19th goal. Lindros took his customary spot at center ice for the opening shift. At the first play stoppage 40 seconds into the game, he gave way to new teammate Keith Primeau, who received loud cheers. Primeau, who hadn't played all season as an unsigned restricted free agent, was traded from Carolina to the Flyers on Sunday for Rod Brind'Amour. Primeau played center on the second line with Recchi and Mikael Renberg. "I had a lot of fun playing with those guys," Primeau said. "Mikael is extremely strong down low and he skates like the wind. And Reck has been awesome all year." Cheers quickly turned to boos when Florida's Pavel Bure turned the Flyers' first rush with Primeau on the ice into a breakaway goal at the other end. Bure slipped his league-leading 35th goal past John Vanbiesbrouck for a 1-0 lead. Primeau, wearing No. 25, spent most of the game rounding into playing shape. "I got caught out there a couple of times when I should have changed a little sooner," Primeau said. "If I kept my shifts short, in the 30-second range, I was fine. Any longer and I started to get a little winded." Primeau had four shots in 18 shifts totaling 13 minutes, 41 seconds. He also fought Simpson, in the second period. Lindros' younger brother, Brett, had his career ended by multiple concussions. Lindros' latest came while delivering a check and then taking an elbow. He passed psychological and neurological tests and returned to practice Saturday.
The Flyers were 0-2-2 without Lindros. | ALSO SEE Flyers' Lindros gives Panthers headaches  NHL East: Clarke knows both sidesMorganti: Philly thwarts Rangers again Primeau tries to get up to speed at first Flyers practice AUDIO/VIDEO   Eric Lindros beats Mike Vernon for the goal.avi: 598 k  | ||||||||||
