Kris Letang Pwns Montreal: Pens Win 4-3 in OT
by FrankD on Nov 27, 2011 12:57 AM EST
in Game Recaps
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Few things in this world put a smile on my face faster than a pouting goaltender. It shouldn't come as any surprise that I, along with a larger percentage of Penguins fans (I'm sure), was grinning ear to ear when a discouraged Carey Price slammed him stick against the cage after giving up Kris Letang's game winner in overtime. In a way it was scripted perfectly, especially when you consider the fact he was forced to leave the third period with a broken nose after Max Pacioretty delivered a questionable hit to the head/face. Not only did Letang spring a leak from his beak, but all signs of the collision indicated that we might not see him back for the remainder of the game. Lo and behold, No. 58 rejoined the Pens' bench after regulation and contributed what wound up being the nail in the coffin. This of course coming after receiving a pin in the nose as well.
Letang joked with reporters after the game that his shnoz isn't perfect yet, but he'll worry about that later in his career when he decides to be a model. Also have to give props to Pacioretty as well for offering his apologies to Letang on the ice during the game. You may remember an incident last season when a Canadiens players was sent into the divider between the benches and the penalty box. That guy, who received a broken vertebrae and concussion, was none other than Pacioretty. Although the league may take a look at the incident, I think it's safe to say it wasn't intentional.
Shoutout and hearty congrats to James Neal as well, who tallied his 10th assist on the season and became the first Pens player to reach double digits in both goals and assists (13g, 10a). Also have to give a big pat on the back (well a verbal one at least) to Jordan Staal, who played a really strong game that almost missed making a mark on the scoresheet before tallying his 12th of the season in the third period to tie it up.
Consider this (and jump in with your input): Take off those black and gold glasses for a second. Look back to overtime when Price appeared to freeze the puck with his glove/pads. Should the refs have blown the whistle?
Either way, I really think Marc-Andre Fleury should've busted out his Carey-Price like pose from last season. Just for the fun of it.
Not the best of outings for the better part of the game but Pittsburgh did fight back and make it an exciting one. To find themselves in a position where they could finish with at least one point was credit enough to the team's ability to fight back, but escaping Montreal with an extra one made it all the better. Doing it in the first game of a four-game road trip is also a plug.
The Pens made Price work, launching 42 shots on goal and really keeping him on his toes. Once again though, it's proof that even all the shots in the world don't always equate to easy victories. But seeing them ranked third overall amongst teams in shots per game (33.9) is still a good thing in my book.
Up next: Rangers at MSG on Tuesday. Puck drops at 7:30.
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I was very surprised that the ref didn’t blow his whistle. He was on the other side of the net, and probably couldn’t see the puck for at least 3 seconds. Maybe he was just about to blow it when it popped out and he let play resume, but who knows. I thought he should have blown it down, but I’m not going to complain.
When I described the play to my dad, a Habs fan (though slowing becoming more of a Jets game, being from near Winnipeg), he said something along the lines of, “Because it’s Pittsburgh.” I think that’s the perception that a lot of other fans have of the Pens, that the refs give them the benefit of the doubt because they’re “Betman’s favourite.”
Look at Lemieux! Oh my goodness! What a goal! What a move! Lemieux, Whooa Baby!
I agree the ref probably couldn’t see the puck for at least a few seconds, but at the same time the way it was sticking out from under Price’s pad, and the fact that Price reacted the way he did when it popped from said pad had to make him think twice about blowing the whistle. As that happened Tanger snatched the puck and was in the process of burying it for the win!
Keep looking at it and I think the biggest thing to look at is Price’s reaction when it popped free from under his pad he kept reaching for it, especially from the backside view (see the video on Penguins.nhl.com). That to me is the reason the ref didn’t blow the play dead.
by rocketrupper on Nov 27, 2011 2:42 AM EST up reply actions
Because it’s Pittsburgh
This is the general reaction on some of the mainstream Canadian sites I frequent, though there are a few guys that will point out the two disallowed Kunitz goals and the non-call on the hit on Letang as evidence that the officiating is at least “consistently inconsistent” for both teams.
Whatever, we’ve lost because of missed calls, and the always teach you to play until the whistle in minor hockey. It was a ridiculous missed call (though we’ll never hear from the ref to confirm it was actually a missed call—it’s possible he had a reason for doing what he did), but it’s hardly the sole reason the Pens won this game.
by Hatt the Moople on Nov 27, 2011 7:43 AM EST up reply actions
Anyone bitching about the refs when they have both PK Subban and Hal Gill on their team can’t be taken seriously.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
Haha, I couldn’t stand watching Subban yesterday. Like when he put Neal in a headlock in front of his net, and then dropped to the ice, dragging the Real Deal with him. Plus watching him flop all over the ice. His diving worked once on the refs, drawing a penalty.
Look at Lemieux! Oh my goodness! What a goal! What a move! Lemieux, Whooa Baby!
by The Malk-Man on Nov 27, 2011 12:03 PM EST up reply actions
Not to mention all the kicking. That was an incident where Steiggy and Bob being biased was a-okay.
by SlayerGhaleon on Nov 27, 2011 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
When was that? Being from Canada, the game was on CBC which is biased the other way.
Look at Lemieux! Oh my goodness! What a goal! What a move! Lemieux, Whooa Baby!
by The Malk-Man on Nov 27, 2011 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
Malk-Man
How do you get the Pens game on CBC? Now that the Jets are back, you and I are in the Jets region and I had to watch the Jets/Bruins game and watch the Pens game online… :(
Love that WPG has their team back, but sucks that Pens/Leafs and other matchups aren’t on my HNIC anymore!
And the refs should have blown the whistle, no doubt. I would be livid if this happened the other way, the puck was clearly frozen, imo. Still, happy for Tanger!!
by LastSonOfKrypton on Nov 27, 2011 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
Game was broadcast on the NHL Network and they used the CBC feed. One of the annoying aspects of the game was after the OT goal was scored, they reverted back to the NHL Network’s NHL On the Fly (?) highlights show. I don’t know if it was On the Fly or some other named program. Anyway, no replays whatsoever on the last goal. Very abrupt changeover.
"Oh, buy Sam a drink and get his dog one too!" - Mike Lange
One word. Satellite. Haha. We live in a small town where there’s no cable, so we have Bell Satellite, and therefore all of the CBC feeds from across Canada
Look at Lemieux! Oh my goodness! What a goal! What a move! Lemieux, Whooa Baby!
by The Malk-Man on Nov 27, 2011 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
It happened to MAF not long ago, I think it was with Tampa, but I’m not sure. I recorded the game and looked over at the replay, there’s no whistle and the puck is showing under Price’s glove . As to the referee’s angle of vision 9if they could see the puck or not, only the refs can answer that one. Tanger saw it and I ’m glad. On the reverse side of the equation, the puck was already in the net before Kuni touched Price, it had absolutely no bearing in the play. So I guess rulings have a way to equalize.
The Hockey Dr.
I don't care
I am not convinced Kuni’s first goal should’ve been waved off. You win some, lose some.
Me neither – one of the replays where whatever the call on the ice was should have stood. No way they could tell that the puck went off his glove and not the shaft of his stick.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
In my opinion it was a goal, because it was called a goal on the ice, and there was no conclusive evidence that it was illegal. (key word being conclusive). But once again is the NHL and Montreal.
The Hockey Dr.
Hit to Letang
fwiw, the guys on NHL Network are saying that Shanahan will “definitely” review and that supplemental discipline is “likely.”
Victim turned villain, and to think I felt really bad for the guy last year.
As for blowing the whistle at the end or not: The puck wasn’t frozen, but there’s no way in hell the closest ref could have seen the puck and so he should have blown it dead. Just one last mistake as icing on the cake after a terrible game by the refs – and I’m not referring to the disallowed goals, they were legit enough, with the first being a bit of a toss up, but they have better equipment in Toronto than I do in my living room. Good to see the mistake was in the Pens favor for once in the game, though.
while the hit on Letang might have been unintentional it definitely was dangerous and got nothing but head… so intentional or not I believe these are exactly the kind of hits they want to take out of the game.
and on the goal in OT, yeah, the ref should’ve blown the whistle, but who gives a f***?! The Habs had it coming! *cough*stuck-up attitude*cough*
You have to see it for yourself...
Jealous Fans of Other Clubs
I think we all should realize there is plenty of envy among fans of other NHL clubs, that’s way you see the uproar over any close call. The “Because It’s Pittsburgh” syndrome is really immature, and probably is helped by the anonymous nature of the internet. Anytime the Steelers win you hear the same baseless garbage about the officials.
In terms of franchise achievement, the Pens certainly rank among the top third of the NHL by now, and few teams in any of the major team sports have such a bright future. This fact especially rankles fans of Original Six clubs, like the Habs. It’s been nearly two decades since Montreal won a Cup, and they’re frustrated. Then you have fans of teams like the Capitals, Blues, Kings, etc. who have never even won a single Cup in their entire franchise history.
Looking back, Gary Bettman made the smart move in getting involved in the negotiations to get the arena deal done, and keep the team in Pittsburgh. Obviously, the fans have responded, so a strong Penguins’ franchise has been valuable to the NHL at the end of the day.
# 58
wow.kris.made in canada.eh.well done..
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