With apologies to our loyal readers, this will be a bare-bones summary, as life continues to steal away time and space like a determined controller. But I’ll do my best to hit the high notes.
The Penguins lost 3-2 in a shootout in Philly last night. Playing back-to-back nights for the first time this season, we clearly didn’t have our usual pizzazz. After indeed Justin Brazeau putting us out to an early lead midway through the first period on a classic power drive to the net, our guns all but fell silent for the next 30 minutes or so. That opened the door for Philly to take a 2-1 lead on goals Bobby Brink And Travis Konecny.
Thank goodness for the locals, keeper Arthur Silov held the fort and then some, which gave us a chance to regroup. We dug into the energy reserves we could muster and dictated the territorial game in the third period. Our dedication was rewarded at 11:57 am Sidney Crosby scored on a three-cushion shot that landed on Philly d-man Nick Seelerthe post and goalkeeper Sam Erson before crossing the border.
If the first 60 minutes were relatively tame for a Pens-Flyers game, overtime was anything but. With a deferred penalty on the line for our hosts, Evgeni Malkin appeared to score the game winner. However, the goal was disallowed due to an obscure rule called Premature Substitution. You see, Silovs was still miles away from our bench when Geno stormed onto the ice.
Better that than a fine for too many men.
Unfortunately, Geno reciprocated Philly’s generosity by taking a penalty of his own. With No. 71 parked in the sin bin, Tyson Foerster appeared to score the OT winner with 24.4 seconds left. However, that potential goal was also disallowed due to an offside call, giving the Pens a reprieve.
The stay of execution was short-lived. The Flyers overshadowed us in the shootout 2-1.
But still, to make a point out of what sometimes seemed like a lost cause?
It feels like a victory.
Puckpourri
I don’t know if it’s a big problem or not, but we are regularly left out of harm’s way. Last night, Philly had the upper hand in shot attempts (64-53) and shots on goal (34-26).
Outside of the shootout, Silovs was mostly great, knocking down 32 of 34 shots. His rebound control was better.
At the end of extra time, a wild Donnybrook erupted Noel Acciari And Parker Wotherspoon as the main black-and-gold fighters. Both were given 10-minute misconduct notices, which disqualified them from participating in the shooting. Sid too.
The struggle goes hand in hand with one of my favorite things about this team. Competitive spirit, moxie, esprit de corps, call it whatever you want, but this couple has the heart of a fighter. A very welcome change from the past seasons.
After a tough performance the night before, the third row of rookies Ben Kindel And Ville Koivunen and veteran Tommy Novak was much better. What about the move Koivunen performed on Ersson during the firefight: approaching slowly before rapidly accelerating? He didn’t score, but I still loved it.
Recalled from Baby Pens yesterday, Owen Pickering made his season debut while skating alongside Matt Dumawhich returned to its natural (right) side. Although the pair was underwater metrically, they finished a combined plus-three. Dumba also collected an assist.
That’s three of the last four games Harrison Brunicke sat outside. A return to his junior club seems imminent.
Philip Hallander collected an assist on Sid’s tying goal and continues to do good work on the top line.
Next up for the 7-2-2 Pens, the Wild in Minny on Thursday night.
#Penguins #show #late #fall #Flyers #Shootout