Flyers Down Maple Leafs 4-1

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

March 17, 1998 / 12:00 AM EST / CBS Sportsline

Colin Forbes says that renewed confidence is playing a big part in the sudden resurgence of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Forbes scored two goals and Ron Hextall made 23 saves as the Flyers defeated Toronto 4-1 Monday night to extend their unbeaten string to five games.

"The big thing is that we have a lot of confidence," said Forbes. "Everybody is playing great, we're working hard, and Hextall has just been unbelievable. ... Things are going well for us. But you go through your tough times and you go through your good times. I just hope the good times last for a while."

Mike Sillinger had a goal and an assist and Chris Gratton also scored for the Flyers (4-0-1), who snapped Toronto's three-game winning streak.

Sillinger said Forbes has a lot of skills, even though this is the first full season for the young left wing who appeared in only three regular-season games for the Flyers last year.

"Colin is great in the corners," added Sillinger, obtained from Vancouver for a conditional sixth-round draft pick on Feb. 5. "You dump the puck in there and he's always the first guy there."

Mats Sundin scored his team-leading 28th goal for the Maple Leafs to spoil Hextall's bid for his 24th career shutout. The Flyers are still unbeaten in four games (3-0-1) under coach Roger Neilson, who replaced Wayne Cashman on March 9.

Hextall made a pair of spectacular back-to-back stops on Steve Sullivan late in the second period. Hextall is unbeaten in his last six home games (5-0-1).

Toronto goaltender Felix Potvin had 24 saves. The Flyers scored twice in the second period despite being outshot 15-9.

Gratton's 17th goal came when a shot by Janne Niinimaa kicked off Toronto defenseman Rob Zettler right back to the Philadelphia center, who put a slap shot from the right circle past Potvin. Forbes made it 2-0 with less than a second remaining when he wristed a rebound of a shot by Sillinger into the net from 10 feet.

Toronto coach Mike Murphy said Forbes' last-second goal changed the complexion of the game.

"It seems like we had four guys standing around and watching them score," said Murphy. "We cannot allow something like that."

Forbes added his 11th goal of the year, in the third period on a behind-the-back shot from near the crease.

"It was just lucky, I guess," said Forbes. "I was just trying to deflect it on net. I wasn't sure if it was going in or not."

Sillinger scored his 15th goal, at 4:41 of the third period. He lifted a shot high to Potvin's glove side after taking a centering pass from Alexandre Daigle, who picked up the puck along the boards just outside the blue line.

Sundin, who beat Hextall with a backhander with 2:46 left, said the loss was especially disappointing because the Maple Leafs played one of their better gaes of the year.

"It seems like we got our chances, but Hextall came up big for them," Sundin explained. "They got a lot of goals at crucial times. But that's hockey."

Philadelphia had an apparent goal by John LeClair disallowed in the second period when referee Terry Gregson ruled Gratton was in the goal crease.

Philadelphia defenseman Eric Desjardins left the game late in the first period with a bruised right shoulder after being checked by Tie Domi.