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Flyers fans give Lindros warm greeting

More than the chance to enjoy hockey nostalgia at the highest degree, one of the biggest developments of the Flyers Alumni game with the New York Rangers was the renewed enthusiasm the fans displayed for Eric Lindros.

Flyers Eric Lindros is all smiles after missing a shot on goal in
third period. (Ron Cortes / Staff Photographer)
Flyers Eric Lindros is all smiles after missing a shot on goal in third period. (Ron Cortes / Staff Photographer)Read more

More than the chance to enjoy hockey nostalgia at the highest degree, one of the biggest developments of the Flyers Alumni game with the New York Rangers was the renewed enthusiasm the fans displayed for Eric Lindros.

On the applause meter it could be argued that Lindros drew the loudest pregame ovation from the crowd of 45,808 as the Flyers Alumni defeated the New York Rangers, 3-1 Saturday at an emotion-filled Citizens Bank Park.

The score was inconsequential, although the booing of the Rangers during pregame introductions showed that the fans can't help themselves from displaying their dissatisfaction in any game with New York regardless of the stakes.

All weekend Lindros has truly played the role of the prodigal Flyer, who left the team amid rancor and has returned a beloved figure.

The animosity between Lindros during his final days as a Flyer and then general manager Bob Clarke has been well-documented.

Both parties have seemed to put the situation behind them and obviously so have the fans. Lindros was loudly cheered during an Alumni team practice Friday before an overflow crowd at the Skate Zone in Voorhees.

About a half hour before Saturday's game, he was shown on the jumbo screen and the crowd erupted. Then the ovation was even louder during the pregame introductions.

The only Flyer who even approached receiving such an enthusiastic response was goalie Bernie Parent.

"I had a good time and it was real nice to get back in town and hear that," Lindros said as he talked to wave after wave of reporters. "It was really special."

Parent himself was taken back by the crowd's enthusiastic response to Lindros.

"I thought it was awesome," Parent said. "Let's remember, the first two or three years he played, he was the best hockey player in the world before he got hurt."

Lindros' career was marred by a succession of concussions. Still only 38 years old, Lindros retired after the 2006-2007 season with 372 career goals.

On Friday he had said how he has put his feud with Clarke behind him and then Clarke said the same thing following Saturday's game.

"We had our battles, but once he was gone it was over I thought," Clarke said. "We're all Philadelphia Flyers."

Lindros said he talked to Clarke about, among other things, training tips. Nothing deep, but at least cordial.

Lindros was a six-time all-star and with the Flyers and won the Hart Trophy as the NHL MVP in the 1994-95 season.

"Once Eric was gone the wounds were over as far as we were concerned," Clarke said. "Eric was an MVP in the NHL for the Philadelphia Flyers and is a big part of the Flyers and I'll always campaign him to be in the Hall of Fame."

Lindros had the assist on the game's first goal, setting up John LeClair. Late in the game he missed a chance at an empty-net goal.

"Maybe in 15 years I will get another chance," Lindros said smiling.

Lindros admitted that he had no idea what type of reception he would receive.

"I didn't know what to expect," he said.

All in all, this has been a happy ending to 2011 for Eric Lindros.

"It was great," Lindros said. "I am really happy to be back here in the city and see teammates and catch up with some of the other guys from the '70's."

And it was apparent this weekend that the fans were just as happy to show their appreciation.