Flyers / Oilers '87 Finals Game 7 Highlight Video (7 of 7)

Perhaps one of the most climatic conclusions in Stanley Cup Finals History. Game 7 of the 1987 Finals between the Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers lived up to every expectation. The Flyers seemingly dead multiple times in this series somehow managed to scratch and claw their way to the final and deciding game against what was clearly a superior opponent.

Two unusual occurrences marked the opening of the game: The Flyers were awarded a two-man advantage one minute into the contest, and scored the first goal of the game for the first time in the Finals. This was only the second first period they would score all series. Craven banked a shot off Fuhr's skate only 1:41 into the game for a 1--0 Philadelphia lead. The Flyers failed to score on the back half of the 5-on-3, and the Oilers came back six minutes later when Messier finished off a 3-on-1 with a backhander to tie the game. Kurri delivered a huge blow to Flyers victory hopes with an impossible-angle goal 14:59 into the second period which gave the Oilers a one-goal cushion. Edmonton poured it on late and showed what a great defensive team they could be by outshooting the Flyers 13--6 in the middle 20 minutes and 12--2 in the third, finally getting an insurance goal on Anderson's 30-footer up the middle with 2:24 to play. Philadelphia's Hextall, who had 40 saves in game seven, was selected as the playoffs MVP despite Edmonton's victory. Ron Hextall recently admitted during an interview on the night of his induction into the Flyers Hall of Fame that to this day he has not watched this game. It is a shame because he was outstanding in it and was the ONLY reason the Flyers were still in it. Clearly the MVP goaltender should have NOTHING to regret or be ashamed of. If there were EVER a time where the losing team should be considered champions, this is it.

Please be sure to watch the rest of 1987 Finals highlight videos I have posted of you have not already . Please vote and comment on them all. It is my hope that one day this series will be released on DVD in its entirety. Maybe your comments and votes will help.

Enjoy

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Philadelphia
• Flyers
• Edmonton
• Oilers
• 1987
• Stanley
• Cup
• Finals
• NHL
• Hockey
• Game
• Ron
• Hextall
• Gretzky
• Fuhr
• Messier
• Peter
• Zezel
• Brian
• Propp

[MrLCLM]

I was privileged to be at this game. The fans went crazy when Anderson scored that 3rd goal. Great series and both teams deserved a lot of respect.

[IceWarrior101]

I miss Hextall he was the best!

[DaveTV2]

@landrykkb Oh, and regarding 1976, remember that Bernie Parent was hurt most of that year. If he had been in net the outcome might have been much different than it was with Wayne Stephenson. Yes, he filled in admirably that year which also shows the strength of that Flyer team but Wayne Stephenson was NO Bernie Parent and not the difference maker Bernie was. Not saying the Flyers would have won just that it certainly would not have been a sweep. Still meaningless to what happened in 87.

[DaveTV2]

@landrykkb I am not sure what that has to do with 1987. Sure upsets happen and almost did but that does not mean that the team was not a heavy underdog. You are also talking about the beginning of what some argue was the greatest team in NHL history. They changed the way the game was played from the goonery of the 70s to the skill of the 80s and really opened the door for a team like the Oilers.

At the end of the day we are talking about a team with 6 hall of famers (7 counting Sather) vs 1

[DaveTV2]

@landrykkb Of course the Oilers were known more for their offense than defense but by 87 they were a solid defensive team with a future Hall of Fame goalie in net. They finished 10th overall in goals against that year which is not bad at all. They scored more goals than anyone at 372 which was 54 more than #2. The Flyers were #4 but if you take away Kerr's 58 they drop to dead last. With Kerr they have a chance and all tings being equal they win the series. Without him they were a HUGE underdog.

[landrykkb]

@Gphazor This had been the first Stanley Cup Final since 1971 to go 7 games,so that`s why it was memorable for so many of us hockey fans.We wouldn`t get another 7 game series until 7 years later.

[landrykkb]

@DaveTV2 As I recall,the Habs ended the Broad Street Bullies dynasty during the 1976 Finals with a 4 game sweep as well as swept a Boston Bruins team the following year who some even doubted they`d beat on account of having been dominated by the Bruins during their 5 regular season meetings.Keep in mind that was the season that the Habs only lost 8 games which still stands to this day.One more thing,let`s not forget that the Bruins near upset the Habs in the 1979 semi-finals as well

.

[landrykkb]

@ULTRAPOWER1977Habs The Isles beat 2 teams(Minnesota in `81 and Vancouver in `82)for the Stanley Cup in that 4 year run that had no business being as far as they were.

[landrykkb]

@DaveTV2 The Oilers were otherwise not as noted for their defence as other teams.

[DaveTV2]

@landrykkb I am aware of that but they were absolutely considered the underdog and not given much of a chance to win it against the Oilers. First reason being that they were without Tim Kerr who scored 58 goals and 37 assists that year. Would they have finished 2nd overall without him? Probably not. Second reason was the overall condition of the team by the time they reached the finals. Kerr as mentioned. Poulin with broken ribs, etc. Flyers played 19 games getting there. The Oilers only 14.

[landrykkb]

@Crawford1987 I do recall the Flames pushing them to 7 games in `84 and even upsetting them in `86 in 7 games.

[landrykkb]

@DaveTV2 Actually,Philadelphia finished 2nd overall in the NHL that season so they weren`t really an underdog,just compared to the Oilers,thats all.