Round 1 Game 3: Pens v Sens (W 4-1)
Bad news: Gary Roberts was out of the lineup tonight. He has a groin pull. Somehow, however, the Pens managed to prevail over the Sens again without the services of their resident Senator-killer. It was a game that the Senators had controlled in the early part, but the Pens dug down deep and turned momentum around. They dominated the Sens from the last part of the first period until the end of the game.
The Saint has reached two more achievements. His 4 point night in Game 2 tied a franchise record held by Jaromir Jagr. Ol' Double J scored four points in a playoff game against the Capitals on 4-13-00.
LATE EDIT 2: I didn't make it clear that this record is for most assists. Thanks to Freeptop for pointing out the ambiguity of my statements. :)
Tonight, the goal he scored 12 seconds into the third period became the fastest goal scored at the start of a period in a playoff game in franchise history. The previous record belonged to Ryan Malone's father, Greg, back in 1981 in a game against St. Louis, when he scored 15 seconds into a period.
The crowd was intense, and the sound really came across on TV. I'm really not being facetious here - I think the acoustics in Scotiabank Place are better than the Mellon Arena because I know at Game 1, it was so loud that we had to scream to talk to the people next to us. Anyhoo, the boo-birds were out early tonight. The crowd booed our title man every time he even breathed in the puck's direction. About halfway through the first period, they started booing Geno, too.
The night's first penalty went to Chris Neil. He took Kris Letang down with a clean hit, but for some reason decided it would be a good idea to punch Letang in the face as they slid along the boards together. The funniest part was when he leaped up and ran to the ref to deny any wrongdoing as the ref motioned that he saw him punch him. On the ensuing Pens power play, Marian Hossa hit the goalpost. He hit the goalpost. That would be the best chance they had on that power play. The Pens' first penalty went to Mad Max Talbot for interference on the goalie after he hit Martin Gerber at the side of the net. In Mad Max's defense, Gerber embellished it a bit, but regardless it was goalie interference. Christoph Schubert hit the post, but the Senators didn't score on their power play.
Marc-Andre Fleury was making some spectacular saves. His confidence is really something to watch right now. The score was still 0-0 when the fans began a "FLEU-ry, FLEU-ry, FLEU-ry!!!" chant. I remarked to my husband and my sister, "Aren't you supposed to wait until you're ahead to taunt the goalie? That will come back to haunt them..." Shean Donovan then got caught holding a Penguin's stick (I didn't see whose it was). Gerber looked like a man possessed as he stopped everything that came his way. Just before the end of the period, Flower made an unbelievable save to keep the game scoreless.
Just over a minute into the second period, Jason Spezza made a nice pass to Nick Foligno. Ryan Whitney made a terrible mistake by going one way, giving Foligno the chance to go the other way and score through a pinhole. [Pens 0, Sens 1]
The Pens then kicked in the adrenaline and turned up the offense. Geno and Mad Max both did everything but score on their respective shifts. Things started to take a turn and get nasty. The Saint got involved when he knocked Anton Volchenkov down and then cross checked him. The Pens then played a game of tic-tac-toe with the puck when every man on the ice touched the puck that lead to Mad Max's goal. Okay, follow me here: Whitney passed to Rob Scuderi who passed to Pascal Dupuis who passed to Hossa who dished it ahead to Mad Max, who split the Sens' defenders and promptly scored. [Pens 1, Sens 1]
Inspired by his own goal, Mad Max went absolutely nuts on his next shift. He maintained possession of the puck even as he fell and got back up several times in a row. Jordan Staal was a maniac, too. He was stealing pucks and firing them on the net, but somehow this kid just couldn't buy a goal. Sergei Gonchar had a chance, but he held on to the puck too long. He never got the shot off.
A little later, Geno was getting hammered as he battled for possession. After Gerber made the save, Neil cross checked Geno, then Mike Commodore then lay down on top of Geno and smothered him. Madness ensued. After the dust cleared, the Senators were indeed down a man. Neil went to the box for his infraction. On the ensuing Pens power play, Sid took a flying leap over the blue line (see images below). It was hilarious - and all for naught, as the play was whistled down while he was in mid-flight.
The Sens then got a shorthanded chance, but MAF made an awesome save. Then there was a pileup in front of the net. It was pretty chaotic. When the dust settled, Staal and Letang went to the box for the Pens, while Antoine Vermette and Cody Bass went to the box for the Sens. Vermette was assessed a double minor, so the Pens found themselves with a 10 second 5-on-3 opportunity. During the melee, FSN Pittsburgh cut to a shot of Scary Gary sending a text in the stands. He was sitting with a big group: Sidney's father Troy, Mario and Nathalie Lemieux, Jeff Taffe, Daryl Sydor, Mark Eaton, and Dany Sabourin. The Pens didn't score on their short 5-on-3 or their 5-on-4, either.
Near the end of the second, Hossa tripped a Senator (Spezza, I think...) and got away with it. It was only fair, though, as the Senators have been getting away with murder [*cough, cough*] for this entire series up until now. The Sens put a little pressure on the Pens at the very end. The Saint made a great diving play to get the puck out of danger. The teams were tied at 1 goal each at the end of the second period.
The third period started with a faceoff win by the Pens. Sidney got the puck and then went right around Vermette to blast the puck right past Gerber. The period was only 12 seconds old. [Pens 2, Sens 1]
A mere 1:18 later, Tyler Kennedy threw the puck in front of Gerber as Staal was speeding in for the tip-in. [Pens 3, Sens 1]
Neil got yet another penalty - this time he punched Hal Gill squarely in the jaw right in front of the ref. He tried to argue his case and looked almost like he was going to cry (probably because he realized that it was an extremely stupid penalty to take). The Pens were insanely awesome on their advantage, but Gerber managed to stop them. The Senators then got a series of crazy chances but somehow can't manage to get the puck into the goal. At one point, MAF even lost his stick and held onto one of Dany Heatley's feet to defend his net. As the play stopped, we learned that Whit would be going to the box for holding. Heatley was pretty mad that MAF wasn't called, but again - the Sens have been getting away with A LOT, too. Just as the Senators' power play got underway, Staal was high sticked by Heatley and Malone was tripped by Cory Stillman almost simultaneously. Heatley was given a four minute double minor for his penalty because the bridge of Staal's nose was bleeding, though on the replay, it did look a little like Staal lifted Heatley's stick into his own face...
So it ended up being 4-on-3 in favor of the Pens for about 23 seconds. The Pens didn't score. Then it was 5-on-3 for 37 seconds. The Pens didn't score. Then, because of Heatley's second minor, it was 5-on-4. Just as soon as the 5-on-4 began, the puck was loose in front of Gerber. Hossa did what he was taught and played to the whistle. While the Sens thought Gerber had the puck frozen, Hossa was scoring the goal that put the nail in the Sens' coffin. [Pens 4, Sens 1]
After Hossa's goal, the Pens morphed into the Devils and played keep away until the clock ticked down to victory. During the post game interview, the FSN cameraperson zoomed waaaay in on Sid's face for an extreme closeup. My husband and I had a laugh at the captain'sdirty face playoff beard. Sometimes, with their skills and their maturity, it's easy to forget that most of these guys are still pretty wet behind the ears. Seeing them with their patchy facial hair is a big reminder of how young these guys really are.
Because the Sens never scored another goal, our man Sidney got the game winning goal!!! :) He had a goal and an assist and is now tied with Geno for the most playoff points for the Pens (they each have 6 points). Game 4 is on Wednesday. Get yourself geared up and ready for a BATTLE...
LATE EDIT 1: I failed to mention that Marian Hossa also has 6 points in this playoff series, therefore he, too, belongs in the tie with Sidney and Geno. Ummm, oops! My apologies for missing that one, and thanks to all who pointed it out to me! :)
LATE EDIT 3: Okay. This is the last edit, I swear! It turns out, Hossa was credited with 2 assists earlier today, but that total was reduced to 1 assist sometime this afternoon. Just a simple mistake. A simple, confusing mistake. LOL!!! Anyhoo, Hossa now officially has 5 points to his name so far for this series, which takes him out of the top tie with Sid and Geno. Thanks to all who have tried to get to the bottom of this for us! :)
GO PENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Saint has reached two more achievements. His 4 point night in Game 2 tied a franchise record held by Jaromir Jagr. Ol' Double J scored four points in a playoff game against the Capitals on 4-13-00.
LATE EDIT 2: I didn't make it clear that this record is for most assists. Thanks to Freeptop for pointing out the ambiguity of my statements. :)
Tonight, the goal he scored 12 seconds into the third period became the fastest goal scored at the start of a period in a playoff game in franchise history. The previous record belonged to Ryan Malone's father, Greg, back in 1981 in a game against St. Louis, when he scored 15 seconds into a period.
I just don't know how he can do this!
The crowd was intense, and the sound really came across on TV. I'm really not being facetious here - I think the acoustics in Scotiabank Place are better than the Mellon Arena because I know at Game 1, it was so loud that we had to scream to talk to the people next to us. Anyhoo, the boo-birds were out early tonight. The crowd booed our title man every time he even breathed in the puck's direction. About halfway through the first period, they started booing Geno, too.
The night's first penalty went to Chris Neil. He took Kris Letang down with a clean hit, but for some reason decided it would be a good idea to punch Letang in the face as they slid along the boards together. The funniest part was when he leaped up and ran to the ref to deny any wrongdoing as the ref motioned that he saw him punch him. On the ensuing Pens power play, Marian Hossa hit the goalpost. He hit the goalpost. That would be the best chance they had on that power play. The Pens' first penalty went to Mad Max Talbot for interference on the goalie after he hit Martin Gerber at the side of the net. In Mad Max's defense, Gerber embellished it a bit, but regardless it was goalie interference. Christoph Schubert hit the post, but the Senators didn't score on their power play.
Marc-Andre Fleury was making some spectacular saves. His confidence is really something to watch right now. The score was still 0-0 when the fans began a "FLEU-ry, FLEU-ry, FLEU-ry!!!" chant. I remarked to my husband and my sister, "Aren't you supposed to wait until you're ahead to taunt the goalie? That will come back to haunt them..." Shean Donovan then got caught holding a Penguin's stick (I didn't see whose it was). Gerber looked like a man possessed as he stopped everything that came his way. Just before the end of the period, Flower made an unbelievable save to keep the game scoreless.
Fleury is on FIRE!!!
Just over a minute into the second period, Jason Spezza made a nice pass to Nick Foligno. Ryan Whitney made a terrible mistake by going one way, giving Foligno the chance to go the other way and score through a pinhole. [Pens 0, Sens 1]
The Pens then kicked in the adrenaline and turned up the offense. Geno and Mad Max both did everything but score on their respective shifts. Things started to take a turn and get nasty. The Saint got involved when he knocked Anton Volchenkov down and then cross checked him. The Pens then played a game of tic-tac-toe with the puck when every man on the ice touched the puck that lead to Mad Max's goal. Okay, follow me here: Whitney passed to Rob Scuderi who passed to Pascal Dupuis who passed to Hossa who dished it ahead to Mad Max, who split the Sens' defenders and promptly scored. [Pens 1, Sens 1]
Inspired by his own goal, Mad Max went absolutely nuts on his next shift. He maintained possession of the puck even as he fell and got back up several times in a row. Jordan Staal was a maniac, too. He was stealing pucks and firing them on the net, but somehow this kid just couldn't buy a goal. Sergei Gonchar had a chance, but he held on to the puck too long. He never got the shot off.
A little later, Geno was getting hammered as he battled for possession. After Gerber made the save, Neil cross checked Geno, then Mike Commodore then lay down on top of Geno and smothered him. Madness ensued. After the dust cleared, the Senators were indeed down a man. Neil went to the box for his infraction. On the ensuing Pens power play, Sid took a flying leap over the blue line (see images below). It was hilarious - and all for naught, as the play was whistled down while he was in mid-flight.
The Sens then got a shorthanded chance, but MAF made an awesome save. Then there was a pileup in front of the net. It was pretty chaotic. When the dust settled, Staal and Letang went to the box for the Pens, while Antoine Vermette and Cody Bass went to the box for the Sens. Vermette was assessed a double minor, so the Pens found themselves with a 10 second 5-on-3 opportunity. During the melee, FSN Pittsburgh cut to a shot of Scary Gary sending a text in the stands. He was sitting with a big group: Sidney's father Troy, Mario and Nathalie Lemieux, Jeff Taffe, Daryl Sydor, Mark Eaton, and Dany Sabourin. The Pens didn't score on their short 5-on-3 or their 5-on-4, either.
Near the end of the second, Hossa tripped a Senator (Spezza, I think...) and got away with it. It was only fair, though, as the Senators have been getting away with murder [*cough, cough*] for this entire series up until now. The Sens put a little pressure on the Pens at the very end. The Saint made a great diving play to get the puck out of danger. The teams were tied at 1 goal each at the end of the second period.
The third period started with a faceoff win by the Pens. Sidney got the puck and then went right around Vermette to blast the puck right past Gerber. The period was only 12 seconds old. [Pens 2, Sens 1]
A mere 1:18 later, Tyler Kennedy threw the puck in front of Gerber as Staal was speeding in for the tip-in. [Pens 3, Sens 1]
Neil got yet another penalty - this time he punched Hal Gill squarely in the jaw right in front of the ref. He tried to argue his case and looked almost like he was going to cry (probably because he realized that it was an extremely stupid penalty to take). The Pens were insanely awesome on their advantage, but Gerber managed to stop them. The Senators then got a series of crazy chances but somehow can't manage to get the puck into the goal. At one point, MAF even lost his stick and held onto one of Dany Heatley's feet to defend his net. As the play stopped, we learned that Whit would be going to the box for holding. Heatley was pretty mad that MAF wasn't called, but again - the Sens have been getting away with A LOT, too. Just as the Senators' power play got underway, Staal was high sticked by Heatley and Malone was tripped by Cory Stillman almost simultaneously. Heatley was given a four minute double minor for his penalty because the bridge of Staal's nose was bleeding, though on the replay, it did look a little like Staal lifted Heatley's stick into his own face...
So it ended up being 4-on-3 in favor of the Pens for about 23 seconds. The Pens didn't score. Then it was 5-on-3 for 37 seconds. The Pens didn't score. Then, because of Heatley's second minor, it was 5-on-4. Just as soon as the 5-on-4 began, the puck was loose in front of Gerber. Hossa did what he was taught and played to the whistle. While the Sens thought Gerber had the puck frozen, Hossa was scoring the goal that put the nail in the Sens' coffin. [Pens 4, Sens 1]
After Hossa's goal, the Pens morphed into the Devils and played keep away until the clock ticked down to victory. During the post game interview, the FSN cameraperson zoomed waaaay in on Sid's face for an extreme closeup. My husband and I had a laugh at the captain's
Because the Sens never scored another goal, our man Sidney got the game winning goal!!! :) He had a goal and an assist and is now tied with Geno for the most playoff points for the Pens (they each have 6 points). Game 4 is on Wednesday. Get yourself geared up and ready for a BATTLE...
LATE EDIT 1: I failed to mention that Marian Hossa also has 6 points in this playoff series, therefore he, too, belongs in the tie with Sidney and Geno. Ummm, oops! My apologies for missing that one, and thanks to all who pointed it out to me! :)
LATE EDIT 3: Okay. This is the last edit, I swear! It turns out, Hossa was credited with 2 assists earlier today, but that total was reduced to 1 assist sometime this afternoon. Just a simple mistake. A simple, confusing mistake. LOL!!! Anyhoo, Hossa now officially has 5 points to his name so far for this series, which takes him out of the top tie with Sid and Geno. Thanks to all who have tried to get to the bottom of this for us! :)
GO PENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted by snoopyjode at 8:52 PM
Roaming Penguins 
Contact snoop 
21 Comments in The Friends' Zone:
I wonder if Sid does Yoga....
Tonights game was amazing!!! Scotiabank does get real loud until you notice everyone leaving because they realized the Sens choked again!
The Pens played out of their minds tongith! MAF had some absolutely amazing stops.
Happy for Hossa, Crosby and Staal for finally getting the puck into the net, hoping there is alot more of that at Wednesdays game. Absolutely can't wait, seats behind the penalty box!!
i had to listen to this on the radio, it was painful not to be able to see all the action.
if this series so far is any indication, game four may end up being one of the most intense games of hockey Scotiabank Place has ever seen - and that's saying something after last year...
It was nice to see Hossa finally get a goal and get that monkey off his back that's been there for 4 years to the day - he sure has had a lot of shots and has been seen looking up to the "Hockey Gods" in disbelieve on at least one occasion. Though he has been playing hard and is also tied with Geno and Sid for the points lead.
The "Senator" in the pr-game show was good for a laugh but must have fired up the Sens a bit or or at least the fans - until they got that all so important first goal anyway and must have believd the rest was in the bag.
Thanks for today's show Snoop - I was up a bit early today before work and gave for some great picture book reading ;^)
The thing that's really strange about athletes is they're obviously quite big, from the hours spent in the gym--but they're also so, so flexible and bendy. It's part of overall health, and a lot of time you assume that a person packed with muscle can't even touch their toes. Some of the ways Sidney can bend is unreal, and well...slightly unnatural :-P
I leave tonight! I'll let you know everything :)
sydney - i know for a fact that big georges laraque does yoga, so sid almost HAS to. how else could he do that stuff?
carroll - I. WILL. NEED. PICTURES.
anon - i'm already mentally preparing myself for war.
bill - no problem! thanks for reading! :)
lisa - be safe in your travels and HAVE FUN!!! :)
I just want to remind you guys of one thing:
Hossa has 6 points as well.
That will be all, over and out. lol
I laughed out loud when I saw that first picture (there was a similar one the other day too) and thought "ok, exactly how did he get out of that?" and then I saw your caption! Namaste, Sidney!
I missed the first two periods, but tuned into Yahoo! just in time to see Sid's goal! What a fun third period!
And I thank the Pens for winning....oddly enough, the Stars seem to be imitating their games. First game....shutout. Second game....ahead by a few, let the opponent tie up and win with back-to-back goals near the end of the third. So now I know that the Stars will drown the Ducks again tonight! :)
The 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs and 1975 New York Islanders are the only NHL teams to have erased 3-0 series deficits. Things look good for the Burgh!
hmm. i'm not liking facial hair sidney. is that just me?
Allison, you are not the only one!
Ditto from me on the facial hair (though it's not my thing on any man). But on Sid? Ummmm...no.
Just a clarification: Crosby tied a franchise record for assists in a playoff game, not points. The franchise record for points in a playoff game also happens to be tied with the league record for points in a playoff game: Mario Lemieux, 8 points vs Philadelphia on April 29, 1989 (5 goals and three assists).
That's not to take away from Crosby's achievements, but I did want to make sure the correct achievement was being lauded ;)
i have to say i really enjoy the pics! absolutely amazing! and man can sid bend! he's like a noodle. (a very strong noodle, sry for the lack of creativity with that statement, my brain went to mush)
I agree with you Allison, Sidney really needs to lose the facial hair! He looks MUCH better without it.
Sid, is handsome but he definately gets downgraded with the facial hair!
Oh well, maybe we'll all get used to it by the time it's all said and done. It will have time to grow in!! But for now it does look like he's put marker on his face or he simply forgot to wash.
i think somebody needs 2 inform sid that he has some left over cake on his top lip lol j.k it makes him look...... good? XD j.k oh and of course the stars r gunna be good they rox XD right nxt 2 the pens p.s. ducks drowning lol only the stars could do that :)
Facial hair or not Sid stunned an entire nation in 12 seconds.
Ok, at least a whole arena.
He could grow daisies in his helmet and he'd still be the best.
And whatever he does, yoga or plain stretching, whatev, he should keep it up, because he is otherworldly on the ice.
Gerber never had a chance.
Stephanie - I know you don't want to research any further and find out who the Islanders 1975 played in that 3games - 0 deficit comeback.
ok i have to agree with everyone who said that sid doesn't look good with facial hair. haha it's like it's think on his chin and upper lip and his side burns but he doesn't have much on his jaw line! that's what makes it look funny. i think he knows that it doesn't look good on him (that would explain why he has never really tried to grow one..), he's just trying to go along with the hockey tradition.
Michelle, it was the most amazing 12 seconds of my life. I screamed so hard people around me started hitting me with the inflatable swords they gave out.
I can say "stunned" was not how those fans felt in that moment, that would be an understatement. You could feel all hope leave the arena, it was amazing to be a Pens fan at that moment. Then Jordan scored before anyone could catch their breath. Amazing game by all the Pens players.
Post a Comment