Crosby, Pens close the final reg season game at Igloo in storybook fashion
by Hooks Orpik on Apr 8, 2010 11:34 PM EDT
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It's the last regular season game at the Mellon Arena ever. Dozens of legends and old-time players were on hand. There was a special buzz in the air. Sounds like a storybook, doesn't it? When the storyline is that special, you know who comes through.
Sidney Crosby stole the show once the game commenced, scoring one goal, adding three assists as the Penguins jumped up early on the always pesky New York Islanders and outpaced them until the end, winning by a 7-3 margin.
Brooks Orpik, of all players, opened the scoring just 23 seconds into the game with a weak wrister that eluded Martin Biron, thanks in part to a nice moving screen applied by Matt Cooke. It was a sign of things to come, Alex Goligoski converted some nice tic-tac-toe passing from Crosby and Sergei Gonchar. Before the period was over Evgeni Malkin made an awesome individual effort to steal a puck, skate all the way up the ice while being hooked and score. Then Crosby added his 49th on a sweet wrister.
That was it for the goalie known as "French Toast", Dwayne Roloson replaced him for the rest of the game, but he didn't stop the Pittsburgh on-slaught.
Crosby would appear to score his 50th of the year but it actually deflected off Bill Guerin and Sid fessed up after the game. Tyler Kennedy snapped a slapper by Roloson and Guerin ended the scoring by jamming in his 21st of the season.
In between all of those Pens tallies, the Isles got 3 goals, eventually making the score 4-3 at one point. Mark Streit slapped two deflectable shots, one that Matt Moulson tipped and another Josh Bailey got to. The other NYI effort was by Kyle Okposo.
- Crosby's now just three points back of Vancouver's Henrik Sedin (107) and one back of Alex Ovechkin (106) in the Art Ross race. By virtue of his goal, Sid's up 1 on Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos (48), with all players in both races having two more games to go.
- Alexei Ponikarovsky got the gate for a deserved 5 minute major and a game misconduct for boarding Bailey early in the 3rd. The Penguins had to kill off a bunch of penalties in the 3rd period, and they were able to do so.
- Tonight marks only the third game for Malkin since March 14th, but he sure looked sharp. Game high 7 shots on goal, a tremendous individual effort for the goal, a hit, two takeaways and a giveaway.
- Marc-Andre Fleury made three rapid fire saves, while Pittsburgh was on a PP, that should earn him full marks. NYI was still in the game at that point and Fleury shut the door.
- Speaking of, Pens broadcaster Bob Errey got it right: the Pens almost looked like they thought NYI should have rolled over. It was Pittsburgh's night and after a few easy goals they'd coast to victory, right? Well the Islanders had different ideas and wouldn't comply, they're fighting for NHL roles and jobs too.
- The Pens were a little lax defensively early, but battoned down the hatches once they realized NYI wasn't going to just take a fall. NYI didn't score after the middle of the second and only got 8 3rd period shots.
- When even strength goals are 5-2, how do you explain Ponikarovsky and Ruslan Fedotenko ending up a -1? Bad timing or further indicators of more?
So, just like that, we close the books on the Mellon Arena. For the regular season, anyways. It was one last chance to see some faces from the past, feel the presence of Badger Bob, Herbie and the like smiling down and watch the Pens of the present light up the scoreboard. It was a great day for hockey, just like the 1,666 previous regular season games under the big silver dome.
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sounds like it was one hell of a game. so sad that i missed it and y’all.
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE.
Here's something to make you feel better
CapsAreNotMyDaddy
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 9, 2010 2:22 AM EDT up reply actions
you cannot do such things to me without notice. nearly died of a heart attack of swoon. kidding, kidding. thank you SO much! =)
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE.
by katielynn906 on Apr 9, 2010 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Remaining schedules....
Sid – @ATL, @NYI
Ovechkin – ATL, BOS
Stamkos – FLO, @FLO
Sedin – @SJ (currently), CAL
With these schedules, which of the two (or both) do you think Sid will most likely win? I’m still hoping for the Rocket Richard. But you never know with Ovechkin content to slap in easy empty netters to close the gap. The scoring title seems a bit too far out of his grasp this late in the season…
Pirates, Vikings, Hokies. I'm used to heartbreak. At least I have the Penguins....
"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-The Great One
by blackjackfishtaco on Apr 9, 2010 12:29 AM EDT reply actions
The Rocket…definitely the Rocket. Although, the Ross is still within his reach much to my surprise. I had already started to cheer for Mr. Henrik to score some more so Ovi wouldn’t take it. You just know ocho’s going to come out flying tomorrow, and I’ll be watching.
I've told [a 9 months pregnant] Nathalie that she can't have the baby on a game night. I'm not missing a playoff game. -Mario Lemieux in 1993
Definitely helps that Sedin is currently shut out halfway through the 3rd.
Pirates, Vikings, Hokies. I'm used to heartbreak. At least I have the Penguins....
"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-The Great One
by blackjackfishtaco on Apr 9, 2010 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions
It really is okay if Sidney Crosby wakes up on his 23rd birthday with a career objective unfulfilled and an award unwon.
(Last time I said that, he had to go and win the gold for Canada, so I’m hoping it helps now!)
"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 victories and drown defeats.
by GreenEyedLilo on Apr 9, 2010 8:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Wow. Who DIDNT score tonight? Awesome to see such a dominant performance in the final regular season game at Mellon. It’s xactly what I asked for in the preview :-)
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
by FrankD on Apr 9, 2010 12:46 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Adams.
Adams didn’t score tonight. :(
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over. Go Pens!
Thats ok…I’m with Hooks in thinking its gonna be a GWer in the Playoffs.
Pensburgh.com
Hockey belongs to the Cartoon Network, where a person can be pancaked by
an ACME anvil, then expanded – accordion-style – back to full stature, without
any lasting side effect.
- Steve Rushin
by Hockey Beard in SLC on Apr 9, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Hmm
Don’t know how I feel about an article from the official newspaper partner of the Pens dedicated to Jagr. He was amazing, but he didn’t have such a good send off from Pittsburgh.
I just don’t think you put up that article on Sid’s/Mario’s and the former Pens night.
I've told [a 9 months pregnant] Nathalie that she can't have the baby on a game night. I'm not missing a playoff game. -Mario Lemieux in 1993
Excellent recap!
Bumped into Poni in the elevator on the way back to our hotel room. He seemed a little disappointed with himself for getting tossed, but not too worried about it.
CapsAreNotMyDaddy
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 9, 2010 2:21 AM EDT reply actions
thats the first ive seen of him since hes been traded….what a waste of a prospect.
by genomachine-O on Apr 9, 2010 7:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Poni is suspended for the final two games.
by genomachine-O on Apr 9, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Good to see him smiling after the game
It did seem like he took getting tossed pretty hard. With the Pens rolling like they were, it looked like as fun a game to play in.
As Hooks pointed out, he was a -1. I think it was bad timing in Poni’s case, but even still, I want to see him take it to another level in the playoffs.
I’m not sure if it was Pensburgh where we were doing the whole “who does he look like thing”, and Cary Elwes obviously was part of the discussion. Up close though, I was thinking more Jesse Spencer, Dr. Robert Chase from House M.D.
CapsAreNotMyDaddy
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 9, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
“You put the queen on your money. You’re British.”
by SlayerGhaleon on Apr 9, 2010 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Rec’d for the excellent Hugh Laurie quote.
CapsAreNotMyDaddy
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 9, 2010 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s pretty awesome that you are close to greatness on a regular basis… very cool.
I read on the twitter that he has a disciplinary hearing at 12 p.m. today.
Well, it’s nothing like iheartpenguins, who sees these guys all the time at practice, but it is pretty cool nonetheless. Leo is also staying at that hotel and my wife met him in the elevator this morning. Unfortunately she didn’t have the camera.
I’m sure hockey has it’s share of jerks, but every encounter I’ve had with players, coaches, management, the hockey guys are way more cool than people from other sports.
CapsAreNotMyDaddy
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 9, 2010 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions
was leo a nice guy?
while y’all are concerned with how many numbers these guys are putting up, i’m concerned if they’re nice enough to be on the pens. and if they like waffles. those are my priorities.
ray shero, your job is in danger.
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE.
by katielynn906 on Apr 10, 2010 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions
awwwww, he looks like a nice guy. i really hope he starts putting numbers up.
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE.
He was really nice. We weren’t going to bug him too much, just say hi and glad he is a Penguin and all that (since I do think he is doing some good things and his game will get going in the playoffs), but he was very outgoing and conversational.
CapsAreNotMyDaddy
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 9, 2010 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I assume everyone is familiar with this one, but just in case you’re not:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oINuqLe1brY
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over. Go Pens!
holy craaaap, i’d never seen that before. i just wanna give poni a hug now and hang out with him.
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE.
by katielynn906 on Apr 10, 2010 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions
It was a nice gesture to bring all the “boys” back,I certainly appreciated seeing the heroes of my youth. On the other hand,don’t you ever think that the other team is gonna roll over and die,this is professional hockey,especially with 40 years of hockey elders looking on,if that isn’t enough,you get paid….
No kidding, like the Isles were going to tank it with Trottier watching!
CapsAreNotMyDaddy
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 9, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Biron
I should have figured the fix was in when they started" the yellow-eyed freak",yes,I was that guy that solely heckled him in the play-offs when we were down by two when he was Filthy’s backstop in the play-offs,suck it you clowns…
Beautiful, just beautiful. I really thought that Crosby had reached 50 (some of you may have seen me tweet that), but that’s okay. I never mind seeing Guerin score. There are two more games, and now Crosby’s got time to plan a super-special 50th-goal celebration that reflects his passion! * giggles and ducks *
The team really did look especially motivated last night—I don’t have a bad word to say about anybody, except Ponikarovsky for that boarding. Malkin and Fleury were terrific. I also think the Pens were expecting the Isles to cry “uncle” during the second period, but thankfully they got over that.
I’ve only been watching hockey (let alone the Pens) since 2006, so it was a bit surprising to me how touching I found the opening ceremonies. It added an extra layer of context for me. I loved seeing how eager today’s Pens were to shake hands with certain players, like Gary Roberts. Some of the Penguins Emeritus looked tough as hell, and I can see why the team wouldn’t have wanted to disappoint them!
"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 victories and drown defeats.
Excellent recap. It was great to see all those alumni. You can tell Mario grew up in Montreal. What a great gesture by both owners to treat all of this players and their families. One notable absent in the FSN show prior to the ceremonies, with every reporter involved with hockey giving their opinion about their favorite moment at the Arena. But guess what, the main man, the one who had been there since practically day one, was never interviewed , yes Mike Lang was never seen or mentioned.He was in the voice of some of the goals that were shown, but not asked about his favorite memory. Also, no mention of 2 long time peple associated with the Arena, John Barbaro ( announcer) and Vince Laschaid (organist), both of them are in my opinion a big part of the history of hockey at the Arena together with Mike Lang. Again this refers to the “special” by FSN.
I would've paid $600 for a ticket....
…..just to see that beautiful Robbie Brown Wheel O’ Fire. I didn’t even need to watch the game after I watched that.
(I would’ve like to have seen Jags out there, but I got over it once RB44 started swingin’ his arm around)
I thought Robbie Brown was great, and he brought a big ovation from the crowd with his wheel o’fire. Agree it would have been nice to see Jags, and also Ulfie and Ron Francis.
Is Ulf under contract from another team? I obviously understood why some notable names couldn’t make it because of obligations from other teams, but I thought he’d make an appearance.
He was assistant with the Coyotes until recently. I don’t know if he stayed when Tippet took over as coach.
I believe he is still with the Yotes. IDK if being under contract would have made a difference. Its not like he would have played or worked for the Pens. The Canes and Yotes played last night eliminated Ronny Ulf and Tom B. Disappointed Jags wasnt there though. That would have been great. Idk if the KHL playoffs are going on right now or what. Still would have made last night even greater.
by genomachine-O on Apr 9, 2010 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Wish Artie was there too. One of my favorites as a kid. Still a great ceremony though.
by genomachine-O on Apr 9, 2010 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Wondered about Artie, also. He was , for sure a big part of the Pens. Fora while he had been working as a scout for the Pens. I wonder why he wasn’t there, ?if they parted ways in an unfriendly manner with him. Does anyone know?
Arties still a scout for the Pens. they said on the radio its was a family issue. IDK what that means.
by genomachine-O on Apr 9, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
I read somewhere that Jagr’s team was eliminated several days ago. I was really hoping to see him last night, and was thoroughly disappointed when they started the ceremony by announcing the guys who couldn’t make it, and his name was listed.
CapsAreNotMyDaddy
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 9, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
If it were up to me, I would’ve given Fleury the third star. none of those goals were his fault, and he made spectacular saves through two periods to enable us to get the blowout win.
yea he probably made Frankie P. proud with that ridiculous glove save in the second. Not to mention the 2 saves he made on his back before that one.
by genomachine-O on Apr 9, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Poni suspended
For two games.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=524650
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over. Go Pens!
I think he deserved the penalty, for being reckless, and also stupid to check somebody from behind like that in a game that was a blowout and basically meaningless. Before you jump to conclusions, yes I am a Penguin fan, but I do not like to see idiots, in any team taking cheap shots, that can hurt somebody seriously. Poni is no rookie, and he knows what he is doing.
So I got to go to the game last night and I collected my metal ticket. I love the ticket, and I hope the Pens just keep playing the last 2 games like they played yesterday. Minus the the couple flaws on defense of course.
One more thing I would like to see happen is Marty Biron change his jersey so it reads OWNED, because every time he plays the Pens he gets owned.
Nice, love the Biron comment. Are you going to take your ticket up to the forge to have it customized with your seat number? We dropped ours off today. Funny how they said “it would just take 5 minutes” but you get there and find out it will take a couple of days. No matter, since we had Igloo seats the shipping is free, plus no tax since we live in MD where they have no retail locations.
CapsAreNotMyDaddy
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 9, 2010 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions
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