Saturday, January 09, 2010
Nicole Tracey
Marc Andre Fleury back in between the pipes tonight, as the Pens look to get a winning streak going on a 5 game road trip.
The Pens start out the game by setting a fast tempo.
Fleur makes a toe save on Lee Stempniak after Jay McKee turns the puck over right in front.
Craig Adams gives up the body as he blocks a couple shots.
Phil Kessel tries to get the Leafs on the boards first by throwing a wrister at Flower that almost trickles by underneath him.
Max Talbot with some pep in his step goes on a break but Gustavsson sends his shot wide.
Billy Guerin draws first blood for the Pens after outstanding offensive zone work by the first line. Sid with a sick backhanded pass set up Dad waiting to the side of the Monster as he slips it pass him. [1-0]. Time of the goal 7:24, Sid and Eats with the assists.
Pens go on their first power play as Exelby goes to the box for tripping at 11:06. A Gonchar slapper deflects off of Gustavsson’s gloves, oh so close. Geno takes a shot the goes right by Billy G’s stick and deflects wide. A good looking PP for the boys though no dice.
The Leafs start to press but Fleury shuts them down with an excellent left pad save on Stalberg.
Luca Caputi starts a rush by blocking a shot. Geno takes off with the puck as Caputi joins in and throws a nice looking backhander at Gustavsson. Gustavsson answers with the save.
FSN informs us that Free Candy will not be returning to the game. Pens are now playing with 5 defensemen.
Letang heads to the sin bin for slashing at 17:51. The PK was looking good until Stajan one times it past Fleur from laser shot right after the face off at 18:48 Kessel and Kaberle with the helpers. [1-1].
Pens end the period leading the the shot department 15-8 and end up with 15 blocked shots.
Fleury starts the second period showing us why he is a Stanley Cup and Olympic goaltender with nice saves on Jeff Finger, Lee Stempniak and Ponikarovsky.
Caputi with a great scoring opportunity is stopped by Gustavsson. Great set up from Malkin who was camped out behind the net.
A nice gritty shift from the Sesame Street Line gets thing going for the Pens.
Fleury with the poke check on Hagman as Robot goes flying into the net. Eats was fine.
Beauchmin goes to the box for hooking at 11:15. No dice.
Jeff Finger then goes to the box at 14:05 for holding. Gonchar shoots a HEAVY slapper that flies past Gustavsson but deflects back out of the net by hitting off the inside post. The refs calls no goal, which sends Ponikarovsky on a break the other way. Gonch hurries back and hooks him up. Ref calls a penalty shot, but wait, the play goes under review and the Pens are awarded a goal. A PPG for Sergei Gonchar assisted by Malkin and Guerin at 14:44. Cookie caused the traffic in front of the net. [2-1]
Gonch is still sent to the box for hooking at 14:44.…confused much? PP killed.
Fresh out of the box, Gonch joins Geno and Goose on a rush and scores with a beautiful rocket shot over Gustavsson’s shoulder. [3-1] Geno with a nice cross ice pass to set up Gonch. 17:17 is the time of the goal, Geno and Goose with the helpers.
A few plays later, Fleury gets run into, has a Leaf player sitting literally on top of him and still makes the save. No call by the way
Second period ends and the Pens are still up in the SD 18-13, 33-21 through 2 period with 21 blocked shots.
Again Fleury starts the third flashing a nasty glove save on Kaberle’s shot from the point.
Dupers makes a nice play in the neutral zone and sends a pass up the boards to Sid who is streaking up the middle. Sid undresses Kaberle and slips one by Gustavsson with one hand UNREAL! [4-1] 3:47, Dupuis and Gonchar the assists. Don't believe me? see for yourself
The rest of the third period was all Marc Andre Fleury. He went on a rage and stopped everything that the Leafs threw at him. The Police were probably waiting for Fleur after the game because he robbed some many guys.
- Jordan Staal played in his 266th consecutive game
- 42 saves for the Flower
- Pens throw a block party tonight
- This win ended a 4 game losing road skid
- Welcome back Mr. Gonchar
- Hate on Flower, he loves it
- 27 goals for Mr. Crosby who is tied with Ovechkin
- Think Sid's one handed goal was nice? Check out Wilkes Barre Scranton AHL Allstar Dustin Jeffrey's GWG goal the other night against the Lowell Devils
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