It's still Always Sidney in Philadelphia: Pens win 3-2 in shootout
by Hooks Orpik on Dec 17, 2009 11:02 PM EST
in Game Recaps
Email
PrintPenguins vs Flyers coverage - Broad Street Hockey
Two night after getting blown out of the water, it was definitely a bounce back night for the Philadelphia Flyers. They went back home and came out with a much better performance. But the Pittsburgh Penguins were there at every corner and matched the intensity and goals all the way through the night.
- For all the talk about the Pens power-play, they score 2 goals and really are starting to look better. Moving Evgeni Malkin back to the point has increased puck movement and Chris Kunitz (2 primary assists) and Bill Guerin (1 goal) are playing a simple "go-to-the-net" type game. It's been effective.
- Marc-Andre Fleury was stellar with a 31 save on 33 shot effort, including several great saves. The robbery on Daniel Briere is one that'll make highlight films for the rest of the year. At the other end Brian Boucher was great too; a worthy bounce-back performance from his last game.
- Two pretty careless stick fouls on Malkin in a span of just over 4 minutes. I'm not gonna job him, he was getting his chances and played well on the power-play, but he's got to buckle down a little with HHT (holding, hooking, tripping).
- The three headed monster combined for 16 shots on goal and almost 69 minutes of combined ice-time. That they roll all three out one after another after another gives the opposition no let up.
- After coincidental penalties in OT, they played things 3-on-3 for a two minutes which kind of looked like a middle school dance. Neither side really looked comfortable with that much open ice to work with, in fact the Pens kind of circled in their own zone a lot. Easy to tell neither team gets much practice at it.
- How deep are the Penguins? Consider this: in the current four game winning streak, they haven't repeated a player in "3 Stars of the night". They go Pascal Dupuis (3rd star 12/10), Sergei Gonchar (1st star); Malkin (3rd star 12/12), Ruslan Fedotenko (1st star); Brooks Orpik (3rd star 12/15), Jordan Staal (2nd star), Crosby (1st star); Fleury (2nd star 12/17), Letang (1st star).
A shame the game was decided with the gimmicky shootout, but Penguin fans almost know what happens when it gets that far: Pittsburgh is now 5-0 in the shootout. Fleury improves to 9 of 10 in stops (backup Brent Johnson is perfect 6 for 6), Crosby's a perfect 5 for 5 in scoring and Letang's a pretty fair 2 for 5. Those three specialists give Pittsburgh a huge leg up if it gets to the skills competition.
Two wins in two games in which they outscored Philly 9-3 on the aggregate is a good showing. The Pens move on to three games in six days before the brief Christmas break; starting Saturday in Buffalo before going home to meet New Jersey and Ottawa. All three of those opponents are in the top 8 of the Eastern Conference's standings, and with goalies like Ryan Miller and Martin Brodeur on the horizion, the road doesn't get any easier.
39 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Really exciting game to watch. I hate to say it, but I think the Flyers deserved this one. Without Fleury pulling a few goals back from the brink, it would’ve been a seriously different game, plus we seemed to be on the right side of a lot of calls through the night. But that’s the way the chips fall, we’ve been on the other side of that one too.
I’m a little concerned about Malkin. He looked good on the power play, but there were times during the game, as well as the last one, that he looked a little lost out there. Hopefully he’s just sick and it passes.
by Hatt the Moople on Dec 17, 2009 11:23 PM EST reply actions
I have to admit, it was good to see the Flyers (sort of) getting it together and making it a competitive game. I love a blowout, but it’s good to see an actual competition, too.
"Darling, you say Brooks Orpik 'checked' that guy. He did not 'get under him and put him into the wall'."--Beloved to me, Winter 2007
Cocktails With the Penguins, where Pens fans toast the fact that we're not Flyers fans!
by GreenEyedLilo on Dec 18, 2009 10:38 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t understand the knock on the shootout, I like the shootout, I think it’s one of the better innovations of the new era. Nothing was less fulfilling than playing to a tie.
A shootout isn’t really hockey though. I have a bigger problem with the “loser point” and the fact a SO win is worth just as much as a 6-1 win.
I understand that ties are unfufilling, but the NHL’s execution is too, since some games are worth 3 points and some are worth 2.
If they made regulation wins 3 pts and a OT/SO wins 2 pts with an OT/SO loss 1 pt things would be more logical, to me at least.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by Hooks Orpik on Dec 17, 2009 11:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
To clarify, I mean it’s not hockey in the sense that unless you have great goaltending and a guy that converts every time (like the Pens do), you could practically flip a coin to decide which team “wins” the whole game; getting just as much credit for that win as if try were to easily have won in regulation.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by Hooks Orpik on Dec 17, 2009 11:41 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I read somewhere that the league likes the “loser point” because it tends to create close races for the last playoff spot in April, which puts a lot of importance on every game played down the stretch.
Unfortunately, I’d have to agree with them. As much as I hate it, the “loser point” does increase excitement as the season progresses. Granted, you could counter that by saying that a team’s reluctance to take chances at the end of the game and in overtime reduces excitement as some games progress, but I don’t think the league cares too much about that, as you’re already watching the game, anyway.
by Hatt the Moople on Dec 18, 2009 12:10 AM EST up reply actions
It definitely keeps teams packed together, which lead to close races all season long and the occasional exciting final game.
More teams in the playoff race for a longer time means more fan interest…In the East I think every team but Tampa and Carolina have hope to make a surge and get into the playoffs right now.
Is that a good thing? Sure. But I don’t like the process of how they get to that point
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by Hooks Orpik on Dec 18, 2009 12:58 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
It’s interesting for me to read this opinion, because I started watching post-lockout and I really don’t know any different. (My personal hockey guide is perfectly okay with it as long as the right team wins.) I’m reading this and thinking of all those times I’ve tried to explain to newbie NASCAR fans why the Chase for the Championship—a/k/a “playoffs”, which started in 2004—is stupid. So, thanks.
"Darling, you say Brooks Orpik 'checked' that guy. He did not 'get under him and put him into the wall'."--Beloved to me, Winter 2007
Cocktails With the Penguins, where Pens fans toast the fact that we're not Flyers fans!
by GreenEyedLilo on Dec 18, 2009 10:36 AM EST up reply actions
Having been a Pens fan for over fifteen years and having seen a good number of games in both the pre and post lockout eras, I have to admit, with some reservation, that……I find the shootout exciting and enjoyable. There. I said it. Ties were a bit of a letdown: an anti-climax at the end of the excitement of overtime. The shootout amps the tension up even more and promises a result one way or the other.
Having said that, there is still a big part of me that screams “this isn’t hockey!” whenever it goes to the gimmick. Skill in a breakaway situation—on either side of the puck—is a nice asset, but that’s not (usually) what wins hockey games. It just seems so arbitrary. I mean, why not decide it with a race? First one to skate across the other goal line wins? Or, who can clean and jerk the most weight, or who can win in a fight? They’re all skills relevant to the game, but they’re not hockey and neither is the shootout.
The points thing bothers me too. It’s just weird to have the league-wide win% be something other than .500. It can be anywhere from .500 to .750 now or any point between and that just seems wrong somehow. I like the idea of 3 points for a regulation win and a 2/1 split in extra time, though I can’t see the league switching to that any time soon. Still, I guess I don’t really have that much of a problem with it. The game was fine in the tie era and it’s fine in the shootout era…as long as playoff games are still decided properly: by playing the great game of hockey.
by OlenWhitaker on Dec 18, 2009 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I pretty well agree with what you have to say. As much as I claim the shoot out steals some of the “purity” from the game, I was right on the edge of my seat last night with my head in my hands awaiting the start of it.
by Hatt the Moople on Dec 18, 2009 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
I'm fine with the shootout and the scoring system
With the exception of skewing team’s historical points records I am perfectly fine with the scoring rules as they are. That the two teams I follow, the Penguins and Kings are both doing well up to this point in OT/shootout might help but no one can deny that the Post Lockout League has been desperate to reel in casual fans, the shootout has no doubt done that. The rules are the same for every team, 2pts if you win, 1 pt. if you make it to OT. That teams have a guaranteed point ensures they’ll lay caution to the wind somewhat in the 4 on 4 OT to try and score, not like they risk all or nothing as it was before. I doubt you’ll see a system where a regulation win is 3pts, an OT win 2, SO win 1. Too beneficial to teams winning in regulation, too punative for those losing.
I say that the shootout has done less for the game than the refs calling the clutch and grab rules they way they are supposed to be called. This opened up the ice and allowed us to witness how beautiful this game can be when you see teams like the Penguins open up their offense. Teams could not cycle the puck the way the Pens do now 10 years ago without a team grabbing the opposing players. And the refs could call even more interference penalties. Anybody get pissed off when we dump the puck and the defenseman tries to stand up the forechecker? I do. It is a 2 minute interference call. And besides, do you think a casual fan tunes in to a 2 hour plus game for the chance at seeing a shootout? The product must stand by itself for the casual fan to stay interested. WITHOUT GIMMICKS.
Or
Just do away with the entire system as a whole. Why should the loser get ANYTHING? You can play unlimited OT’s in the NBA, MLB (innings), and NCAA Football, and the loser gets nothing in each of those leagues. Run the entire thing by wins-losses and not points. Non-traditional fans are confused by the point system. It sounds stupid, but some people really do not know how it works. Use the win-loss system with GB (games behind) for those trailing in the division/conference.
I agree to an extent, but the NHL has enough problems trying to get TV time. I “grew up” with hockey during the ESPN 2 days when they had on a 7 and 10 o’clock game almost every day. If you had unlimited OT’s, the NHL would have no chance at a network TV deal, let alone a Versus deal.
What is wrong with a tie?
Yeah I don’t think unlimited OT is an option for regular season play. But no one likes ties.
Quite the dilemma on how to resolve a game but do it in an honest way.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
Unlimited OT would be almost unbearable. Almost because it would probably be exciting for a bit, but if it got to a point where they were in the third OT and nothing is really going on I"d probably start to doze off.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
I would like it better if the scoring changed to 3 – 2 – 1, but having an extra point on the line based upon a “skill” competition is useless. There are too many teams that have specialists, typically 3rd or 4th liners from Europe, that participate in these things. Remember when Eric Christiansen was the Pens best shoot-out participant? Anybody know where he is playing hockey? (two points to those who said “I don’t know, but it is not in the NHL”) My point is that it is a gimmick that was used to boost ratings and the ratings boost did not occur. WORTHLESS.
Its kinda like having a field goal kicking contest to end a football game. You’re taking a very small aspect of the game, and using it to decide the outcome
The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Three Stars
I read over at Lets Go Pens that Crosby skated out when they announced the three stars (even though he wasn’t one of them). Does anyone know if there is any truth to that? If so, that’s hilarious but it seems very…un-Crosby like.
871
On the “Penguins Live” radio show this morning, Tom Grimm speculated that Crosby was deliberately told that he was one of the stars, so that he would skate out and look like an egotistical idiot.
Almost sounds like something the Philly Phaithful would do, but his speculation also sounds like the same thing we all make fun of Philly fans for. He skated out. Whatevs. It’s over.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
I wonder who voted on the three stars last night? No Crosby, which is par for the course in Philly, but Letang as first star? Give me a break. I know it’s meaningless, but that is just stupid.
Boucher looked awful in the shootout, but was solid during regulation.
Pronger should have had an assist on the Crosby goal. He was largely invisible again — what a pickup for the Flyers. Then again, he will shine in a long playoff series…should the Cryers get into the playoffs.
I believe the local media (Philly writers, radio guys and broadcasters) vote on the 3 stars.
Letang technically gets credit for the “game deciding goal” (since the shootout ended 2-0) but to call him the 1st star of the whole night is a swipe at Crosby, who scored in regulation.
No worries though.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by Hooks Orpik on Dec 18, 2009 12:14 PM EST up reply actions
Obvious swipe at Crosby
Just like philly sports hacks to rig the voting to deny a Star to the guy who should have had the 1st or 2nd one. Really who cares but it would be standard philly bush league behavior.
I guess the “Shining example of leadership” is the strong, silent, and invisible type, huh?
Letang broke down Boucher. I don’t think he could have stopped another goal after that. Did you see his knees buckle?
Oh, good God. Hopefully the Flyers don’t play on any of NBC’s horrendously early Sunday afternoon hockey games in the New Year (or make the playoffs) so I’m not forced to listen to Pierre McGuire recite one of his many love sonnets to Mike Richards. I think I might just gag.
Kris Letang’s shootout goal was pretty sweet. Boucher totally bit on the deke and literally had no time to right himself before Letang went in for the kill. It is a definite possibility that that goal could have hurt him mentally, softening him up before Crosby even got a crack at him.
Awesome Game
I caught the third period, OT, and the shootout (the first one I’ve ever been able to watch, except in the Might Ducks movies). The Flyers looked good, but MAF was huge between the pipes.
I like the shootout rule. I think that OT should be more than 5 minutes, but when the game can’t be decided in ice time, the shootout works. The drama during the SO is insane. And, it’s a great way to see the stick/puck skills of some of the lesser known guys (I had no idea Letang could handle the puck) and it shows just how difficult it is to be a goalie in the NHL.
breathe in deep feel your heart beat, just to know that life's worth livin'. feel your feet on the earth, better love it while it's still here spinnin'.
by NoCal-SteelCity on Dec 18, 2009 11:54 AM EST reply actions
My dad stayed up with me to watch the last ten minutes of the third period, overtime and the SO just for the chance to watch the Flyers lose ( he’s a Devils fan through and through, and thus despises Philadelphia, our most hated rival. While I know fans of other teams would argue that the Devils-Rangers rivalry is the more intense of the two, Philadelphia iced far better teams than the Rangers during mid-to-late nineties and the early part of this decade and were always competing with New Jersey for top spot into the Atlantic Division. Plus there were those two Eastern Conference Finals in which the Devils beat the Flyers, which has led to some bad blood between the two teams and their respective fanbases…).
Anyway, when Crosby went in on Boucher and scored the game winning goal in the shootout, dear old dad cackled with fiendish glee, laughing at the look of utter devastation on the faces of the Philadelphia fans. Earlier on in the game, I had explained to him that in the first game Crosby ever played against Philadelphia, Derian Hatcher, then with the Flyers, took it upon himself to welcome Crosby to the league with some impromptu dental work, knocking out a couple of Crosby’s teeth. I then told him how ever since Crosby had gone out of his way to return to the favor to Philadelphia by wracking up an insane career point total against the Flyers and trampling over them on his way to the Stanley Cup Final two postseasons in a row. I think it brought him back to the glory days when Scott Stevens led the charge on the Devils blueline and the Devils captain would be showered with expletive-laden chants every time he set foot on the ice of the old Spectrum, before proceeding to flatten one of their forwards.
Don’t you just love it when the Flyers lose? I know I do.
by kellyn on Dec 18, 2009 12:16 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Don’t you just love it when the Flyers lose?
It’s what I live for.
by OlenWhitaker on Dec 18, 2009 12:24 PM EST up reply actions
Flyers hate: bringing families together since 1967
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by Hooks Orpik on Dec 18, 2009 12:37 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
I’m sniffling. Thank you for sharing this touching story with us. :’-)
By the way, did y’all see how Pronger chipped John Tavares’ front tooth? I swear, it’s the Flyers’ hazing ritual for star rookies. Just one more thing to love about that classy, classy team.
"Darling, you say Brooks Orpik 'checked' that guy. He did not 'get under him and put him into the wall'."--Beloved to me, Winter 2007
Cocktails With the Penguins, where Pens fans toast the fact that we're not Flyers fans!
by GreenEyedLilo on Dec 18, 2009 4:11 PM EST up reply actions
That retaliation Orpik took on Carcillo in OT was what you call “what’s good for the goose is good for the gander”, right Hooks? It was also a relatively smart retaliation because it didn’t negate a PP. The ref wasn’t going to call the kidney-Xcheck that Carcillo threw, but called them both when Orpik retaliated. I hate that shit. If the first one is a PIM, call it. When you let it go you breed that kind of retaliation and chippy play. I expect that crap in men’s league, not the NHL.
In an ideal world all ten fingers would be on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
Yeah yeah you smartass
Honestly I don’t think either hit as worthy of a penalty but that’s how it goes when the wildman Carcillo is running around
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by Hooks Orpik on Dec 18, 2009 10:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Fight Video: Ilya Kovalchuk KOs Flyers’ Brayden Schenn with nasty right hook
- Penguins’ Brooks Orpik launches Daniel Paille with massive hit (Video)
- Penguins, Bruins face their challenges in Eastern Conference showdown
- Olli Jokinen’s slump-buster is a Big Mac meal from McDonalds (Video)
- Friday’s Three Stars: Brassard wins it for Blue Jackets in overtime; Halak blanks Kings
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Jeff Skinner scores in third period to lift Hurricanes to 2-1 win over Kings
- Martin St. Louis has three goals in 900th game, leads Bolts over Panthers 6-3
- Paterson 40 saves, Saad 3 points as the Spirit blank the Otters 3-0
- Kings-Hurricanes Sum
- Greenaway scores once and sets up two more as the Frontenacs beat the 67's 4-3
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
