TODAY IN FLYERS HISTORY: May 17
Opening Game of '87 Final: May 17, 1987
by PhiladelphiaFlyers.com @NHLFlyers
The dynastic Edmonton Oilers opened the 1987 Stanley Cup Final with a 4-2 win on home ice against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game One. However, the Flyers played the Oilers evenly for about 50 of the
The game was tied, 1-1, entering the third period. Wayne Gretzky and Brian Propp traded off late first-period and late-second period goals respectively. Unfortunately for the Flyers, Edmonton pulled away in the final stanza.
Glenn Anderson (11th goal of the playoffs) scored in the opening shift of the third period. Hall of Famers Paul Coffey and Jari Kurri (11th) then added to the lead before the period was even half finished. Rick Tocchet responded to the Kurri goal just 1:07 later and the Flyers put up a fight until the end, but the gap had grown too wide.
Philadelphia outshot Edmonton for the game, 31-26. Grant Fuhr stopped 29 of 31 shots to earn the win. Ron Hextall denied 22 of 26 shots.
May 17: Through the Years
- 1980: The New York Islanders take a two games to one lead over the Flyers in the 1980 Stanley Cup Final. The Isles skate to a 6-2 win at the Nassau Coliseum in Game Three, riding a four-goal explosion in the first period. Special teams make the difference. The Islanders go 5-for-5 on the power play and 6-for-6 on the penalty kill with a Lorne Henning shorthanded goal to open the scoring.
- 2007: The Flyers re-sign defensive defenseman Lasse Kukkonen to a two-year, $1.75 million contract extension. Philadelphia had acquired the gritty Finn from Chicago at the trade deadline in exchange for forward Kyle Calder.
May 17: Flyers Birthdays
- Tough guy forward Jim Cummins was born May 17, 1970 in Dearborn, Michigan.
- Depth forward Nate Raduns was born May 17, 1984 in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.