Pens Top Washington, Ovechkin 5-4
Sidney Crosby claimed that he didn't have any additional motivation in this game, even though it was the first match-up of the new NHL's brightest young stars. Alexander Ovechkin and his Washington Capitals were passing through for a Tuesday evening match-up and Sid the Kid seemed up to the task.
After the Penguins took an early 2-0 lead on goals by Rick Jackman and Ziggy Palffy, Sidney took things into his own hands. He took a pass from Palffy and carried the puck into the zone 1 on 2. Sid made a series of moves to get past defensemen Brendan Witt and Steve Eminger, before beating Ollie Kolzig with a slick backhand shot that sent his water bottle flying. Crosby was creating opportunities for himself and his line-mates every time he hit the ice.
Ovechkin was impressive as well. He was very strong on his skates and showed off his stick handling ability by walking around Penguin defensemen several times. What wasn't impressive was the fact that he celebrated 2 goals that he didn't score during the second period. He had an opportunity at an empty net, shot wide, and threw his hands up in celebration. At first I thought it was in disgust, until it happened a second time. Alex the Great, moved behind the Penguins D and had a mini break away in front of goaltender Sebastian Caron. He made his move, shot and threw his hands up in celebration as Caron proceeded to cover the puck for a face off. Once was forgivable, twice was arrogant.
After Washington scored two quick goals in the second period to cut the lead to 4-2, the Penguins seemed to be suffering another of their late game breakdowns. Sidney Crosby was not going to let that happen. He came out flying in the third period and set up Ziggy Palffy for his second goal of the game. The two entered the Washington zone on an odd man break. The defenseman played Sidney and thought he broke the play up. As Crosby was being tied up, he spun himself 360 degrees and threw a perfect no look, backhand pass right to the stick of Palffy, who knocked it home for the Penguins 5th goal.
Washington threw everything that they had at the Penguins in the third period, but they were able to withstand the flurry.
The game was very entertaining overall. If it was any indication of things to come with this rivalry, we are all in for quite a show. Though Sidney got the better of Alex this time, Ovechkin could just have easily scored several goals. These two young men showed that the hype around them is legit and are doing everything they can to live up to it. As the years go by, this will be very exciting for anyone who considers themselves a hockey fan.
Notes:
This game marked the debut of Michel Ouellet and Matt Hussey, who were called up by the Penguins yesterday. Hussey skated on a line with Mario Lemieux and Mark Recchi. Ouellet, who was second in the AHL scoring race, skated with John LeClair and Lasse Pirjeta.
The win was only the 3rd on home ice for the Penguins. Their record stands at 7-9-6.
After the Penguins took an early 2-0 lead on goals by Rick Jackman and Ziggy Palffy, Sidney took things into his own hands. He took a pass from Palffy and carried the puck into the zone 1 on 2. Sid made a series of moves to get past defensemen Brendan Witt and Steve Eminger, before beating Ollie Kolzig with a slick backhand shot that sent his water bottle flying. Crosby was creating opportunities for himself and his line-mates every time he hit the ice.
Ovechkin was impressive as well. He was very strong on his skates and showed off his stick handling ability by walking around Penguin defensemen several times. What wasn't impressive was the fact that he celebrated 2 goals that he didn't score during the second period. He had an opportunity at an empty net, shot wide, and threw his hands up in celebration. At first I thought it was in disgust, until it happened a second time. Alex the Great, moved behind the Penguins D and had a mini break away in front of goaltender Sebastian Caron. He made his move, shot and threw his hands up in celebration as Caron proceeded to cover the puck for a face off. Once was forgivable, twice was arrogant.
After Washington scored two quick goals in the second period to cut the lead to 4-2, the Penguins seemed to be suffering another of their late game breakdowns. Sidney Crosby was not going to let that happen. He came out flying in the third period and set up Ziggy Palffy for his second goal of the game. The two entered the Washington zone on an odd man break. The defenseman played Sidney and thought he broke the play up. As Crosby was being tied up, he spun himself 360 degrees and threw a perfect no look, backhand pass right to the stick of Palffy, who knocked it home for the Penguins 5th goal.
Washington threw everything that they had at the Penguins in the third period, but they were able to withstand the flurry.
The game was very entertaining overall. If it was any indication of things to come with this rivalry, we are all in for quite a show. Though Sidney got the better of Alex this time, Ovechkin could just have easily scored several goals. These two young men showed that the hype around them is legit and are doing everything they can to live up to it. As the years go by, this will be very exciting for anyone who considers themselves a hockey fan.
Notes:
This game marked the debut of Michel Ouellet and Matt Hussey, who were called up by the Penguins yesterday. Hussey skated on a line with Mario Lemieux and Mark Recchi. Ouellet, who was second in the AHL scoring race, skated with John LeClair and Lasse Pirjeta.
The win was only the 3rd on home ice for the Penguins. Their record stands at 7-9-6.
posted by Bmetzer66 at 9:54 AM
1 Comments:
I agree about the 700 lbs of pressure on his neck....that may not have been near as bad if they didn't play pile on! Still one of the ugliest things I have ever seen.
One of the guys who runs www.lifeofsports.com saw my blog and liked it. We talked a little about me writing for them, and they brought me on board. It is a pretty cool site and is getting better by the day. There are tons of fantasty games, and pick em's etc for cash prizes.
Thanks again for helping get us more traffic. I will do what I can for us on this end!
B
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