Saturday, October 03, 2009
Damian Romano
In a game of ups and downs the Penguins were able to squeeze out their second win of the season after being challenged by the eager Islanders. With a young core in place the Isles showed a tough competitive edge that lead to many early chances and a few goals. Though despite their most intense effort, it wasn't enough to stymie the reigning Stanley Cup champions.
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1st Period
The Penguins came out looking fresh despite the back to back games. For the first five minutes or so the Pens looked like they were in control. Their first power play attempt clearly looked sloppy with several missed passes and defensive miscommunications. However Crosby started the scoring off with a great outlet pass from Feds to beat Roli the goalie five hole.
Shortly thereafter we get to see Mike Rupp drop the gloves for the first time of the season.
Two minutes later we see the Isles Brandon Witt send Fedetenko to his knees sparking a Dupuis/Maklin/McKee retaliation to end in a few penalties that left the Pens down 2 men in a 5 on 3. Despite the PK effort Mark Streit lines up a howitzer to tie the game at 1 at the 12:40 mark. It was from that point the Pens fell flat and couldn't seem to get their act together.
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2nd Period
This period started off the way the first ended. Both teams were back and forth on mediocre chances. Geno didn't seem to have much of a game going through the first and second period. Though Crosby had several early chances to no avail. The Isles primarily maintained puck possession throughout and didn't allow the Pens to create much in their offensive zone. At the 6:46 point Mark Eaton takes a hooking penalty which resulted in John Tavares first NHL goal off a nice backhander beating Fleury blocker side. After which point the Penguins continued their careless passing and lax offensive. Tavares clearly running on adrenalin gets a breakaway only to be robbed (gloved) by Fleury, again reminiscent of the game 7 Ovechkin save. Welcome to the big leagues JT.
Nearing the end of the 2nd the Pens finally looked to have some life and picked up the intensity. Though Roli was solid, not letting anything get through.
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3rd Period:
The Pens were able to carry over that intensity into the 3rd period and create many chances. We even got a chance to see Orpik show his hands a little after charging the net off a bouncing puck. Roli steels the Candy.
In a unique turn of events the Penguins very own Mark Eaton ties the game a 2 with a random wrister on net. Unique because the Islanders didn't take but 17 seconds to regain the lead. This however didn't shake the Penguins as they kept up their intensity outshooting the Isles 18 to 5. With just under 4 minutes left Geno find Sarge for a one-timer that lead to scrum in front of the net where Fedetenko cleaned up the garbage and tied the game, eventually sending the game into overtime.
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Overtime
Not much to talk about in the overtime. There were a few chances on both sides but nothing to really keep you awake.
Roli doesn't know it but he'll be staring down the barrel of Crosby's stick.
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Shootout
- The Isles Tambellini started things off only to be robbed by the crossbar. Flower pets it. 0-0
- LetangSexHair shows why he always gets his chance in the shootout by sliding one past Roli. 1-0
- Tavares then gets his chance to show what he's worth but misses everything on a wrister. 1-0
- Finally Crosby shows Tavares what it really means to be a franchise player and nets it FTW. 2-0
Game.
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