The Daily Bongo

Game Recaps for the 2006-2007 Season




Game Recaps for Current Season / Game Recaps for 2007-2008 Season

Thursday, April 19, 2007 -- Evening

It was do or die for the Pens this evening. It seemed that the Ottawa Senators wanted to help the Pens by giving away three penalties in the first five minutes of the game. The Pens aren't able to capitalize, and the first period winds up being a scoreless one for both sides. Two players who did see action in the first period were Georges Laraque and Erik Christensen, both scratches in the last game. The Senators are the first to score with a shot by Dany Heatley in the first minute of the second as the Pens tried to kill a stupid Brooks Oprik penalty. A few minutes later, as the Pens were ending a power play opportunity, Antoine Vermette stole a bad pass from the Pens, and rammed the puck and himself into Marc-Andre Fleury and the net. The Senators have a 2-0 lead. In the waning seconds of the second period, Chris Kelly scores another goal for the Senators, and they end the second period with a 3-0 lead. It definitely doesn't look very good for the Pens coming back home on Sunday. The third period went by quickly with the Pens making a valiant attempt to at least score a goal. However, it was all for naught. Fleury did a great job in the game, and the second and third goals were problems where the defense gave up the puck. There will be no more hockey this season in Pittsburgh, but the Pens did give the fans plenty to cheer. Final score: 3-0.

Game 5 of Eastern Conference Quarterfinal

Goals
Pens
Senators 		1st
0
0 		2nd
0
3 		3rd
0
0 		Final
0
3


Shots on goal
Pens
Senators
1st
9
8
2nd
6
12
3rd
5
6
Final
20
26

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 2 1:08 OTT D. HEATLEY (2) D. ALFREDSSON (3) T. PREISSING (2) PP
2 2 6:20 OTT A. VERMETTE (1) C. KELLY (1)   EV
3 2 17:55 OTT C. KELLY (3) C. NEIL (2) A. VERMETTE (1) EV

Tuesday, April 17, 2007 -- Late Evening

The game this evening between the Pens and the Ottawa Senators had a totally different energy. The Pens played very well, even though in the end, they wound up losing the game. They knew they had to come out to win, and the energy didn't dissipate during the second period as it usually does. They are showing post game interviews, and Ryan Whitney just seemed totally crushed and defeated. It was such a difference between him and Mark Recchi. Recchi admitted their problems, but focused on the fact that the problems were things that could be fixed. All they need to do is work on the power play and getting shots on goal, and they could win. The next game is Thursday. If the Pens win, they are back in town on Sunday. If the Pens lose, the series is over. Let's hope for a win. The final score this evening was 2-1--a very low scoring, close, hard played game. The atmosphere in the stands was different too. The crowd stayed energized throughout the game. There was no booing during the Canadian national anthem either. I took advantage of the party atmosphere this time, and had a Pens logo and the number 29 painted on my cheeks. Check out my pictures of the game.

Game 4 of Eastern Conference Quarterfinal

Goals
Senators
Pens 		1st
1
0 		2nd
0
1 		3rd
1
0 		Final
2
1


Shots on goal
Senators
Pens
1st
10
6
2nd
4
13
3rd
12
5
Final
26
24

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 1 3:25 OTT J. SPEZZA (2) W. REDDEN (3) J. CORVO (4) PP
2 2 8:08 PIT J. STAAL (3) G. ROBERTS (2) M. OUELLET (2) EV
3 3 9:12 OTT A. VOLCHENKOV (1) M. COMRIE (1) P. SCHAEFER (3) EV

Sunday, April 15, 2007 -- Late Evening

The third game of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators quarterfinal series did not go well for the Pens. There were definite problems for the team in the second and third period, with the key problem being lack of shots on goal. Sometimes the players need to realize that it's not necessary to wait for the pretty goal or the sure shot. The only good things about the game were the first period--when the Pens were playing like they wanted to win, and Sidney Crosby who got his third goal of the series (a goal a game). The Pens go down in the series 2-1 with a final score of 4-2. After the game, Michel Therrien was very critical of some of the players. As he said, some people aren't showing up in the highlght reels and are taking stupid penalties. It seems that the defense men and Evgeni Malkin might have been some of the targets there. We can never hear the questions in the news conferences. Malkin had three of the eight penalties in the game today. It will be interesting to see what changes are made in Tuesday's game. I did get alot of pictures of the game.

Game 3 of Eastern Conference Quarterfinal

Goals
Senators
Pens 		1st
1
1 		2nd
3
0 		3rd
0
1 		Final
4
2


Shots on goal
Senators
Pens
1st
9
7
2nd
12
5
3rd
4
7
Final
25
19

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 1 0:52 PIT G. ROBERTS (2) S. CROSBY (2) C. ARMSTRONG (1) EV
2 1 18:04 OTT D. MCAMMOND (1) T. PREISSING (1) P. EAVES (1) 37 1 44 42 7 5 3 44 29 25 20 12 EV
3 2 2:13 OTT M. COMRIE (2) M. FISHER (2) J. CORVO (3) EV
4 2 7:20 OTT D. ALFREDSSON (2) W. REDDEN (2) D. HEATLEY (2) PP
5 2 17:12 OTT D. ALFREDSSON (3) D. MCAMMOND (2) R. EMERY (1) EV
6 3 14:40 PIT S. CROSBY (3) E. MALKIN (4) M. RECCHI (4) EV

Saturday, April 14, 2007 -- Late Afternoon

The Pens played an afternoon game today against the Ottawa Senators for the second game of the series. The first period was drastically different from the last game. The Senators didn't seem to come out fighting as hard--or maybe it's just that the Pens were a tad more aggressive. Marc-Andre Fleury started the game and held off the Senator's shots. Ryan Whitney drew first blood and gave the Pens a 1-0 lead. Halfway through the second period, the Senators tie things up with a goal by Jason Spezza. Tempers are flaring between the teams and there was a group scrum around Fleury that carried of for around a minute. By the end of the second period, the Senators had a powerplay. They ganged up on the net (as most teams other than the Pens do), and Daniel Alfredsson scored to give the Senators a lead. The Senators have really changed their tactics in the second period with the Senators have double the amount of shots on the net as the Pens. The Pens also have more than double the penalties. The Pens are basically shooting themselves in the foot in the second period. Colby Armstrong dropped the gloves with Mike Comrie at the start of the third illustrate the change in Pens' attitude. Ottawa took a second penalty which gave the Pens the advantage they needed. Gary Roberts did what any good player would do and planted himself in front of the net, and sank a rebound into the net to tie the game. The Pens almost scored again when the puck almost went across the line, but after review, the puck didn't cross the line. The Senators kept up the fight though, and ran after the Pens killed a penalty and were doing a line change, Chris Kelly scored to give the Senators the lead again. Roberts has been a great addition to the team. He and Michel Ouellet setup a beautiful goal by Jordan Staal. Tied score again. Eight minutes left in the period, and Evgeni Malkin takes advantage of an Ottawa player breaking his stick, passes to Mark Recchi who passes to Sidney Crosby who is positioned right in front of the net. Crosby scores. The Pens have the lead and have to hold on to the end of the game. Malkin makes it easier for them by getting a penalty. Ottawa took a time out part way though the penalty to give their players a rest. Fleury is making some very nice saves to keep the lead. Fleury was great in the last two minutes of the game, and made some really great saves. He is a clutch player. The Pens win, and the series is tied now 1-1. Final score: 4-3!

Game 2 of Eastern Conference Quarterfinal

Goals
Pens
Senators 		1st
1
0 		2nd
0
2 		3rd
3
1 		Final
4
3


Shots on goal
Pens
Senators
1st
5
6
2nd
5
19
3rd
11
12
Final
21
37

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 1 3:01 PIT R. WHITNEY (1) S. GONCHAR (2) S. CROSBY (1) PP
2 2 8:28 OTT J. SPEZZA (1) D. ALFREDSSON (2) A. VOLCHENKOV (3) EV
3 2 16:44 OTT D. ALFREDSSON (1) D. HEATLEY (1) J. SPEZZA (2) PP
4 3 2:04 PIT G. ROBERTS (1) S. GONCHAR (3) E. MALKIN (2) PP
5 3 6:18 OTT C. KELLY (2) D. MCAMMOND (1) A. MESZAROS (1) EV
6 3 9:34 PIT J. STAAL (2) M. OUELLET (1) G. ROBERTS (1) EV
7 3 11:44 PIT S. CROSBY (2) M. RECCHI (3) E. MALKIN (3) EV

Wednesday, April 11, 2007 -- Evening

The Pens played the Ottawa Senators in the first game of the Eastern conference quarterfinal this evening. The first period was quite disheartening for the Pens fan to a degree. The Senators came out fighting, and they were skating very aggressively. There was alot of shoving, crowding, and checking. Within the first seven minutes of the period, the Senators were up by two goals. It would have been alot more if Marc-Andre Fleury hadn't practically stood on his head to stop the shots. Within 16 minutes of play, the Senators already had 14 shots on goal to the Pens measley four. As one of the local announcers called it, it was a shooting gallery. How Fleury managed it with the amount of goaltender interference I don't know! The most notable thing is that the Pens just didn't seem to be ready for the level of physicality. The other thing I have noted is that my nerves and blood pressure aren't ready for the tensions that this game is bringing out. The Pens are their own worst enemy in this game with the Pens having to fight off two five on three penalty kills in the first period (within minutes of each other). The first period ended with the Senators only leading by two goals. In the second period, the Pens killed themselves with stupid penalties. In the last six minutes of the game, as the Pens were trying to kill off a penalt (that originally was a power play for them), ended in a goal by the Senators. Very disheartening! Finally! The Pens manage a score with a goal by Jordan Staal. End of the second period and the Senators have 29 shots on goal to the Pens 12. As the players came out onto the ice, Dany Heatly got a goal for the Senators. Seconds later, Sidney Crosby looked like he got the puck into the net. The play was reviewed by Toronto, and it was disallowed because they said that Crosby kicked the puck in. The question is how does one kick the puck when he is lying on his side, flying into the goalie? The local sports guys just don't see the kicking motion at all. Ryan Whitney was brought down to the ice with a slew foot. Whitney dragged himself to the bench, but no calls were made against the Senators. The Senators seem to be great at dirty contact and plays during this game. Chris Neil gets a breakaway, and with two on one, Neil gets the puck past Fleury. Score is 5-1. The game is a total loss with Fleury making two rebounds, to just have the Senators get the third past him. Score is 6-1, and it looks like this is going to be the first time this season that the Pens have been blown out. Michel Therrien pulled Fleury with less than ten minutes left in the game. Fleury faced 36 shots. Then Whitney got a high stick to the face, and a scrum broke out on the ice. As the announcers are saying, this is Brian Murray (coach of the Senators) hockey--humiliation of the team they are beating. Finally the Pens get a powerplay goal from Sergei Gonchar off a pass by Evgeni Malkin. With only a few minutes left in the game, Brooks Oprik gets a high stick to the face that gets a four minute penalty against the Senators. The Pens pulled Thibault from the net with 3:22 left in the game to see if they can get a goal. Crosby scored with 49 seconds of the game to make the score 6-3. The Pens have another chance on Saturday afternoon, and hopefully, they will play better then.

Game 1 of Eastern Conference Quarterfinal

Goals
Pens
Senators 		1st
0
2 		2nd
1
1 		3rd
2
3 		Final
3
6


Shots on goal
Pens
Senators
1st
4
16
2nd
8
13
3rd
4
8
Final
26
37

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 1 1:37 OTT A. MESZAROS (1) M. FISHER (1) P. SCHAEFER (1) EV
2 1 6:38 OTT C. KELLY (1) J. CORVO (1) C. NEIL (1) EV
3 2 14:38 OTT T. PREISSING (1) J. SPEZZA (1) J. CORVO (2) PP
4 2 16:58 PIT J. STAAL (1) M. TALBOT (1) R. WHITNEY (1) EV
5 3 0:09 OTT D. HEATLEY (1) D. ALFREDSSON (1) A. VOLCHENKOV (1) PP
6 3 5:39 OTT C. NEIL (1) W. REDDEN (1)   EV
7 3 8:22 OTT M. COMRIE (1) P. SCHAEFER (2) A. VOLCHENKOV (2) EV
8 3 12:42 PIT S. GONCHAR (1) E. MALKIN (1) M. RECCHI (1) PP
9 3 19:11 PIT S. CROSBY (1) S. GONCHAR (1) M. RECCHI (2) PP

Sunday, April 8, 2007 -- Early Afternoon

My pictures are finally ready. It took awhile because I wound up with five pages instead of the usual two. My seats were very nice, but didn't give me a good view of the other end of the ice--at least for photographic opportunities. The glass distorted the camera view more than normal eyesight. I had alot of fun at the game, and enjoyed all the ceremonies--awards and "Shirts Off Their Backs." Sidney Crosby locked up the scoring championship for the season. He's the youngest player to achieve the honor.

Saturday, April 7, 2007 -- Late Evening

The Pens played their final regular season game against the New York Rangers. During the game, we all found out that Ottawa Senators beat the Boston Bruins so this final Pens' game didn't mean much. Ottawa gets the home ice advantage when the playoff series starts next week--probably on Wednesday. The Pens played to win though, and they did in the end. The final score was 2-1, and there was alot of tension between the teams, culminating in Jarkko Ruutu throwing down the gloves against Sean Avery who didn't thrown down the gloves. George Laraque talked to the refs, and Ruutu just got a two minute unsportsmanlike penalty. Before the game, various player awards were distributed. After the game, it was "shirt off our backs" with the players taking the shirts off their backs for the fans. After the players took off their shirts, they threw t-shirts into the stands. I was standing in a section by myself--taking photos--when Michel Ouellet threw a t-shirt right at me. It was one seat off, and someone tried to run down to get it, but I was right there and grabbed it up. I have more than double my usual number of pictures. It may take me until later Sunday morning to get them all processed so keep your eyes on the multimedia page.
For the awards:
The Good Guy Award: the entire Pens team
Masterton Award: Alain Nasreddine
Booster Club Award: Sidney Crosby
Edward J. Debartolo Award: Mark Recchi
Rookie of the Year: Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal
Player's Player Award: Mark Recchi
Most Valuable Player Award: Sidney Crosby

Eighty Second Game of the Season

Goals
Rangers
Pens 		1st
0
0 		2nd
0
2 		3rd
1
0 		Final
1
2


Shots on goal
Rangers
Pens
1st
6
10
2nd
11
14
3rd
12
6
Final
29
30

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 2 0:53 PIT G. ROBERTS (20) S. CROSBY (83) S. GONCHAR (54) PP
2 2 15:54 PIT M. RECCHI (24) S. CROSBY (84) E. CHRISTENSEN (15) PP
3 3 1:50 NYR P. PRUCHA (22) R. CALLAHAN (2) M. CULLEN (25) EV

Thursday, April 5, 2007 -- Evening

The Pens played the Ottawa Senators this evening in Ottawa. George Laraque was a scratch in the game. Marc-Andre Fleury was in goal for the Pens. Jason Spezza scores the first goal for the Senators on the power play when Fleury was able to make a beautiful save on the first shot, but couldn't get to the rebound. Unfortunately, none of our other guys were crowding the net as the Senators were. A mini fight breaks out with the Senators taking full advantage to play rough with Sidney Crosby and Colby Armstrong after Armstrong perpetrated some goaltender interference. Three Pens wound up in the penalty box (Armstrong, Ryan Whitney, and Gary Roberts). With around five minutes left in the period, both Michel Ouellet and Roberts score within seconds of each other on a major penalty to Spezza for roughing to give the Pens a 2-1 lead. The Senators tied things up at the start of the second period with a goal by Dany Heatley. The third period was not as rough, but it was very hard fought. Both sides wanted to win. Crosby drew a penalty with less than two minutes left in the game when Evgeni Malkin taking a penalty for retaliating against the Senators for a play against Roberts. That penalty really sucked because it put the Pens at a disadvantage with the tied score at the end of the game. With only 9.8 seconds left in the game, looking like an overtime game, Maxime Talbot scored! The Senators pulled Ray Emery was pulled to give the Senators an advantage, but it was too late. The Pens won in a surprise with a final score of 3-2! Fleury got the number one star of the game because hse stopped 35 of 37 shots. The two that went in on him were not soft goals, and were problems with rebounds during the Senators' power plays. Talbot got the second star.

Eighty First Game of the Season

Goals
Pens
Senators 		1st
2
1 		2nd
0
1 		3rd
1
0 		Final
3
2


Shots on goal
Pens
Senators
1st
13
7
2nd
7
19
3rd
7
11
Final
27
37

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 1 7:59 OTT J. SPEZZA (32) D. ALFREDSSON (56) J. CORVO (28) PP
2 1 14:05 PIT M. OUELLET (19) B. ORPIK (6) M. RECCHI (44) PP
3 1 15:00 PIT G. ROBERTS (19) J. MELICHAR (11) S. CROSBY (82) PP
4 2 4:11 OTT D. HEATLEY (49) J. SPEZZA (53) M. COMRIE (25) PP
5 3 19:50 PIT M. TALBOT (13) R. WHITNEY (45) C. ARMSTRONG (22) EV

Tuesday, April 3, 2007 -- Late Evening

The Pens played the Buffalo Sabres this evening at Mellon Arena in front of yet another standing room only crowd of 17,132. Surprisingly, there were empty seats all around though, so I guess that people had the tickets and just didn't come. The Pens were disappointing this evening, and really didn't play well at all. It was disappointing because they needed the win to take first place in the Atlantic Division. The New Jersey Devils didn't disappoint in their game, and won the game to seal up the Atlantic Division. Everyone in the crowd seemed to think that the Pens should win every game. However, that's not how life is. The team wasn't jelling tonight, but hopefully things will be better when the playoffs start next week. The Sabres were just great at clearing the puck when they were short handed, and in attacking the net. I just heard some of the local sports guys saying that the circus which is being held in Mellon Arena and the warm temperatures here in Pittsburgh may have made the ice less that desireable, but it didn't affect the Sabres. The final score was Sabres 4, Pens 1. Check out my pictures of the game.
As an aside, one thing that I noticed is that more people are coming to the games who have obviously never been to a hockey game. In a way, it is good, but in another it is bad because they are not aware of good etiquette. They don't seem to know that while play is going on, you don't just randomly stand up and remain standing. The people directly in front of me were making quite a few people yell at them to sit down. I can understand excitement, but the rest of us want to see and enjoy the game too. The woman was a really weirdo, and kept on waving at the players on the jumbotron and waving an invisible rally towel. I don't think it will be any better at the playoffs.

Eightieth Game of the Season

Goals
Sabres
Pens 		1st
1
1 		2nd
1
0 		3rd
2
0 		Final
4
1


Shots on goal
Sabres
Pesn
1st
10
8
2nd
8
5
3rd
8
10
Final
26
23

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 1 10:59 BUF D. KALININ (7) T. NUMMINEN (27) J. HECHT (36) EV
2 1 12:01 PIT M. RECCHI (23) J. STAAL (13) R. MALONE (15) EV
3 2 2:10 BUF D. ROY (18) D. STAFFORD (12) T. VANEK (39) EV
4 3 4:32 BUF T. VANEK (40) D. STAFFORD (13) D. BRIERE (62) EV
5 3 5:38 BUF J. POMINVILLE (33) J. HECHT (37) D. BRIERE (63) EV

Saturday, March 31, 2007 -- Evening

The Pens played the Toronto Maple Leafs this evening. The Leafs, in ninth place before the game, are hoping to make the playoffs and need a win to give thme a shot. The first period was a good one. The Maple Leafs scored first. Gary Roberts scored for the Pens by crashing the net wot tie things up. However, the Leafs scored in the waning minute of the period to take a 2-1 lead, and then scored again in the first few minutes of the second period. After the Leafs score the second goal midway through the second to take a 4-1 lead, Michel Therrien pulled Jocelyn Thibault from the net and put in Marc-Andre Fleury. It wasn't looking good when the Pens immediately got a delay of game penalty, but Fleury held off the Leafs. Fortunately for the Pens, Maxime Talbot scored a goal to pull the Pens within two of the Leafs. After having a few opportunities in the third that didn't result in a goal, and with time running out, it looked like the Pens wee just going lose. Then Sidney Crosby scored to pull the Pens within one point with over four minutes left in the game. However, Josef Melichar took a stupid hooking penalty which left Michel Therrien shaking his head. With less than a minute in the game, the Pens pulled Fleury. The Leafs missed a few empty net opportunities to put it away. With only four seconds left in the Ryan Whitney scored to tie the game and take it into overtime. It really shut up the crowd who was loudly chanting "Go Leafs Go." The overtime period was held up for some time as the paramedics took care of someone in the stands. The person was removed by stretcher, and the game was back on. The Leafs were putting alot of pressure on our goal, and Fleury made some really nice saves. With just a smidge over a minute left to play in the overtime, the Leafs won on a puck that went past a screen of bodies into the net behind Fleury. The final score was 5-4, but at least the Pens salvaged a point.

Seventy Ninth Game of the Season

Goals
Pens
Maple Leafs 		1st
1
2 		2nd
1
2 		3rd
1
0 		OT
0
1 		Final
4
5


Shots on goal
Pens
Maple Leafs
1st
12
10
2nd
8
14
3rd
14
7
OT
2
6
Final
36
37

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 1 4:28 TOR C. KILGER (14) K. WELLWOOD (27) D. TUCKER (15) EV
2 1 6:54 PIT G. ROBERTS (18) S. GONCHAR (52) E. MALKIN (51) PP
3 1 18:30 TOR A. PONIKAROVSKY (20) N. ANTROPOV (15) M. SUNDIN (43) EV
4 2 3:08 TOR T. KABERLE (10) D. TUCKER (16) K. WELLWOOD (28) EV
5 2 11:49 TOR B. MCCABE (13) M. SUNDIN (44) T. KABERLE (43) 2 41 32 12 11 24 1 42 16 15 13 PP
6 2 16:31 PIT M. TALBOT (12) M. OUELLET (29)   EV
7 3 15:22 PIT S. CROSBY (36) R. WHITNEY (44) E. MALKIN (52) EV
8 3 19:56 PIT R. WHITNEY (14) S. GONCHAR (53) M. RECCHI (43) EV
9 4 3:55 TOR T. KABERLE (11) P. KUBINA (13) K. WELLWOOD (29) EV

Thursday, March 29, 2007 -- Evening

The Pens played the Boston Bruins this evening. The city has been abuzz because the Pens are now officially making the playoffs. We all knew that they would! The first period was an energetic one on the side of both teams with the Bruins and Pens trading goals with the Pens taking a one goal lead with Eric Christensen having a hand in all three Pens' points in the period (two goals and an assist). The other Pens' goal was scored by Colby Armstrong. Armstrong got a high stick to the face towards the end of the first that sent him to the locker room early. He came back in the second period with stitches on his left eyelid and an eye that was almost swollen shut. No scoring in the second period, but Evgeni Malkin got Michel Therrien angry by jumping off the bench too quickly and giving the Pens an extra man on ice penalty. Malkin made up for it in the third period with a goal. Marc-Andre Fleury did a spectacular job in goal, making some great saves in the third period. The Pens win with a final score of 4-2, get 100 points, and move into first place in the Atlantic division and number two in the Eastern division.

Seventy Eighth Game of the Season

Goals
Pens
Bruins 		1st
3
2 		2nd
0
0 		3rd
1
0 		Final
4
2


Shots on goal
Pens
Bruins
1st
12
14
2nd
4
6
3rd
10
13
Final
26
33

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 1 0:45 BOS B. BOCHENSKI (13) A. FERENCE (12) P. KESSEL (16) EV
2 1 3:20 PIT E. CHRISTENSEN (17) M. OUELLET (27) J. STAAL (12) PP
3 1 9:18 PIT C. ARMSTRONG (12) E. CHRISTENSEN (14) S. CROSBY (79) EV
4 1 10:56 BOS P. KESSEL (11) B. BOCHENSKI (11) P. TENKRAT (4) EV
5 1 11:27 PIT E. CHRISTENSEN (18) S. CROSBY (80)   EV
6 3 11:30 PIT E. MALKIN (33) S. CROSBY (81) M. OUELLET (28) EV

Tuesday, March 27, 2007 -- Evening

The Pens played the Washington Capitals this evening in an away game. The game did not start out well, and Michel Therrien called a time out midway through the first period because the Pens had let in two goals. The first was by Alexander Semin and the second was Boyd Gordon. The Gordon goal was a bad one because there were NO, I repeat NO, defensemen anywhere near the net and Marc-Andre Fleury. The local guys were commenting on the broadcast about the lack of defensemen in the area too. That was when Therrien called a timeout and gave them all a lecture. Michel Ouellet managed to get one of the goals back. Then Jarkko Ruutu got a four minute penalty for a high stick that drew blood. Fortunately, the Pens were able to kill the penalty. At the start of the second period, the Pens had a powerplay, and Ryan Whitney scored to tie the game. The Pens got a powerplay six minutes into the period, and the Pens were pounding away at Olaf Kolzig. Finally after lots of opportunities, Sidney Crosby knocked the puck in for the go-ahead goal. With around six minutes left in the second period, Brooks Orpik checked Donald Brashear who started to hit Orpik. Georges Laraque went over to talk to Brashear. Well, Brashear got two minutes for roughing. When he came out of the penalty box, Brashear went right over to Laraque, and they started to fight just as Whitney scored. Now this is why we got Laraque--to take care of things like this, and he did an admirable job. The two heavyweights circled each other. Brashear got in the first hit and knocked off Laraque's helmet. Then Larague put some good hits in on Bradshear and then fell on top of Brashear on the ice. Great moment, and Laraque also got an assist on the goal! I can't wait to start reading The Code: The Unwritten Rules Of Fighting And Retaliation In The NHL by Ross Bernstein because it appears that this fight was a classic observer of the Code. With only 30 seconds left in the third period, Fleury is taken out of a play with goaltender interference. The interference isn't called and the Capitals score. Fortunately, they aren't able to get the tying point in the remaining 30 seconds and the Pens win with a final score of 4-3.

Seventy Seventh Game of the Season

Goals
Pens
Capitals 		1st
1
2 		2nd
3
0 		3rd
0
1 		Final
4
3


Shots on goal
Pens
Capitals
1st
5
8
2nd
17
7
3rd
7
15
Final
29
30

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 1 5:59 WSH A. SEMIN (38) A. OVECHKIN (44) K. BEECH (18) EV
2 1 9:18 WSH B. GORDON (6) M. PETTINGER (15) C. CLARK (22) EV
3 1 12:08 PIT M. OUELLET (18) E. CHRISTENSEN (13) B. ORPIK (5) PP
4 2 1:10 PIT R. WHITNEY (12) S. CROSBY (78) E. MALKIN (49) PP
5 2 6:21 PIT S. CROSBY (35) E. MALKIN (50) S. GONCHAR (51) PP
6 2 15:52 PIT R. WHITNEY (13) R. MALONE (14) G. LARAQUE (19) EV
7 3 19:28 WSH M. JURCINA (4) A. SEMIN (34) C. CLARK (23) EV

Sunday, March 25, 2007 -- Early Evening

The Pens played the Boston Bruins early this afternoon at Mellon Arena. Marc-Andre Fleury was in goal for the Pens. In the past nine games, the Bruins beat the Pens. However, today was a new day. The Pens came out flying and make three goals in the first period. Maxime Talbot was the starting center even thoguh he broke the tip of his nose in the first period of yesterday's game. Tim Thomas, the Bruins' starting goalie, was pulled when the second period started because of the number of goals that he let in. Goal scorers for the Pens were Evgeni Malkin, Gary Roberts, Ryan Malone, and Sidney Crosby with two goals (and an assist on the Roberts' goal). Folks were chanting "hat trick" and "MVP" through most of the third period. Fleury had his fifth shut out of the season and got the third star in the game. Today was not as good a day for picture taking because the crowd was very excitable, and were doing the prarie dog act of jumping up in their seats at the slightest sign of the Pens going near the opposing net. Some folks in back of me were getting vocal about how people should be sitting because the prarie dogs would just stand and not sit down. What could you do though? Everyone just seemed to be really excited. There were also some guys in B17 who painted themselves up and wrote the letters P, E, N, and S on their chests. I have pictures of them and other action from today's game.

Seventy Sixth Game of the Season

Goals
Bruins
Pens 		1st
0
3 		2nd
0
1 		3rd
0
1 		Final
0
5


Shots on goal
Bruins
Pens
1st
13
9
2nd
8
9
3rd
8
10
Final
29
28

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 1 11:54 PIT E. MALKIN (32) S. GONCHAR (49) G. ROBERTS (21) PP
2 1 16:14 PIT S. CROSBY (33) S. GONCHAR (50) G. ROBERTS (22) PP
3 1 17:18 PIT G. ROBERTS (17) S. CROSBY (77) R. WHITNEY (43) PP
4 2 1:09 PIT R. MALONE (16) J. STAAL (11) M. EATON (3) SH
5 3 4:29 PIT S. CROSBY (34) C. ARMSTRONG (21) E. CHRISTENSEN (12) EV

Saturday, March 24, 2007 -- Evening

The Pens played the Atlanta Thrashers this afternoon at Mellon Arena. As is usual, the game was a standing room only sell out. Jocelyn Thibault was in goal for the Pens, and he did a great job, and got the number one star in the game. Actualy, both Thibault and Kari Lehtonen did great jobs. Michel Ouellet and Jordan Staal scored to give the Pens a 2-1 win. I was just happy that it was a regulation win and the Pens got two points. If the New Jersey Devils lose tonight, the Pens will be in a two way tie for first place in the Atlantic division. I was on a streak with my picture taking today, and actually caught both Pens' goals. Check out the pictures and see what you think.

Seventy Fifth Game of the Season

Goals
Thrashers
Pens 		1st
0
1 		2nd
0
0 		3rd
1
1 		Final
1
2


Shots on goal
Thrashers
Pens
1st
7
8
2nd
11
9
3rd
8
11
Final
26
28

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 1 7:55 PIT M. OUELLET (17) G. ROBERTS (20) E. MALKIN (48) EV
2 3 6:18 ATL S. MELLANBY (12) G. DE VRIES (21)   EV
3 3 10:19 PIT J. STAAL (29) R. MALONE (13) J. MELICHAR (10) EV

Thursday, March 22, 2007 -- Evening

The Pens played the New York Islanders this evening. Marc-Andre Fleury was in goal for the Pens tonight. Colby Armstrong scored the only goal in the final minutes of the first period. The Islanders came back with two goals in short order in the first five minutes of the second period to take the lead. Evgeni Malkin was tripped up on a breakaway, and was awarded a penalty shot. The puck almost got past Rick DiPietro, but he grabbed the puck just as it went past and was headed toward the goal line. There were alot of tense moments during the game. It seemed that there might be a fight breaking out, but that it would fizzle out. There were quite a few roughing penalties in the game including for Armstrong and Sidney Crosby. In the third, the Islanders lengthen their lead with a goal by Viktor Kozlov. The refs were doing a poor job of calling penalties in the game, and the Pens were getting beaten up left and right by the Islanders. Brendan Witt tangled up with Malkin, and kicked him from behind. When Malkin fought back, he got a slashing penalty. With a minute and a half left in the game, the Pens had a power play and pulled Fleury. With 14 seconds left, the Islanders got another penalty, which gave the Pens a six on four advantage. Crosby won the face off, but there was no one to get the puck on the Pens side, and the Pens lose the second game in a row. Final score: Islanders 3 -- Pens 1.

Seventy Fourth Game of the Season

Goals
Pens
Islanders 		1st
1
0 		2nd
0
2 		3rd
0
1 		Final
1
3


Shots on goal
Pens
Islanders
1st
7
9
2nd
10
12
3rd
9
5
Final
26
26

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 1 16:55 PIT C. ARMSTRONG (11) G. ROBERTS (19) S. GONCHAR (49) EV
2 2 2:37 NYI T. HUNTER (20) M. SATAN (27) C. CAMPOLI (10) PP
3 2 5:12 NYI J. BLAKE (36) R. SMYTH (30) T. POTI (30) EV
- 2 6:26 PIT E. MALKIN Unsuccessful Penalty Shot   EV-PS
4 3 1:42 NYI V. KOZLOV (22) A. YASHIN (27) M. SATAN (28) EV

Monday, March 19, 2007 -- Evening

The Pens played the New York Rangers this evening in a game that was telecast on Versus. Jocelyn Thibault was in goal for the Pens. There were alot of opportunities on both sides during the first period, but no goals and no penalties. Midway through the second period, Sean Avery slammed into Thibault, knocking him into the net, and then proceeding to lie on him while some of the Pens tried to pull him off and hit him while the refs came in to break things up. This is the problem that is chronic with the Pens. The opposing team always seems to rough up our goalies without any retribution. This is the second game in a row where there was a call of interference on the goalie. Stuff like this has to stop. The number of penalties increased dramatically in the second period, but they didn't result in any goals. The shots on goal by the end of the second were 13 for the Pens and 29 for the Rangers. The Rangers are the first to score in the first minute of the third period. It wasn't looking good for the Pens when at 14:18, Michel Ouellet scored a goal to tie things up. With 33 seconds left in the game, there was a controversal goal by the Rangers. The puck wasn't in view, and the review went to Toronto, and it was ruled a goal because after the whistle was blown and Thibault moved, the puck was over the red line. The puck had gone off of Robert Scuderi. The last Ranger to touch the puck was Jaromir Jagr. The Rangers got a penalty in the last seconds, and a few seconds were put on the clock. The Pens has 2.5 seconds with six men against four, and after Sidney Crosby lost the face off. The Rangers win with a final score of 2-1.

Seventy Third Game of the Season

Goals
Pens
Rangers 		1st
0
0 		2nd
0
0 		3rd
1
2 		Final
1
2


Shots on goal
Pens
Rangers
1st
8
10
2nd
5
19
3rd
9
13
Final
22
42

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 3 0:47 NYR B. BETTS (9) D. GIRARDI (3) R. HOLLWEG (2) EV
2 3 14:18 PIT M. OUELLET (16) E. CHRISTENSEN (11) E. MALKIN (47) EV
3 3 19:26 NYR J. JAGR (25) M. MALIK (16) M. ROZSIVAL (26) EV

Sunday, March 18, 2007 -- Late Evening

The Pens played the Ottawa Senators this evening at Mellon Arena. The game was a real nailbiter. For some reason, the Pens are just unable to pull off a win in regulation. This game was no exception. Everytime the Pens would make a goal, the Senators would come back immediately with an answering goal. Part of the problem is that defensively, we let the opposing team crowd the net. That's never very good, and leads to some of these goals. The shots on goal also tell a story with the Senators putting up 35 to the Pens 19. Maxime Talbot, Sidney Crosby, and Ryan Whitney scored for the Pens in regulation. Surprises of surprises was that Jarkko Ruutu was the only person who scored in the shoot out. Marc-Andre Fleury did a good job, and I think he gets a bad rep because of the defense not clearing rebounds and allowing the other team to take up residence in the crease. We give up a point to Ottawa which was not good, but at least we get the win with a final score of 4-3. Check out my pictures of the game. Check out the multimedia page for shoot out video.

Seventy Second Game of the Season

Goals
Senators
Pens 		1st
1
1 		2nd
1
2 		3rd
1
0 		OT
0
0 		SO
0 (0-3)
1 (1-3) 		Final
3
4


Shots on goal
Senators
Pens
1st
14
6
2nd
9
6
3rd
8
5
OT
4
2
Final
35
19

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 1 10:44 PIT M. TALBOT (11) S. GONCHAR (47) C. ARMSTRONG (20) EV
2 1 11:10 OTT A. VERMETTE (18) C. KELLY (20) C. NEIL (14) EV
3 2 4:03 PIT S. CROSBY (32) R. WHITNEY (42) E. MALKIN (46) PP
4 2 5:04 OTT D. ALFREDSSON (26) J. CORVO (23) M. FISHER (24) EV
5 2 17:05 PIT R. WHITNEY (11) S. CROSBY (76) S. GONCHAR (48) PP
6 3 15:07 OTT W. REDDEN (7) J. SPEZZA (46) D. HEATLEY (50) PP
7 SO   PIT J. RUUTU      

Friday, March 16, 2007 -- Late Evening

The Pens played the Montreal Canadiens this evening at Mellon Arena. As is usual with the games, it was standing room only. There were quite a few Canadien fans in the arena, and there were several rows of them in front of me. Usually when I take my pictures, I have a clear view when the Pens defend in my end, but not today. The Pens came out wanting a win, and although the second period was iffy, they didn't disappoint. The first goal was made by Sidney Crosby, and it was spectacular. Crosby beat out four, yes I did say four, Canadiens to score the goal. Erik Christensen scored two goals, and Gary Roberts and Michel Ouellet scored a goal. Crosby put the finisher on with an empty net goal in the final minute of regulation. Marc-Andre Fleury did a great job making some really nice saves even though he let in three goals. The problem is that the Canadiens were at times running all over him and planting themselves in the crease which is the common problem that our defense has. We have to learn how to get people out of the front of our net. Final score was 6-3, and the Pens got two points on the Canadiens! Check out my pictures of the game.

Seventy First Game of the Season

Goals
Canadiens
Pens 		1st
0
2 		2nd
2
0 		3rd
1
4 		Final
3
6


Shots on goal
Canadiens
Pens
1st
10
10
2nd
9
11
3rd
9
10
Final
28
31

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 1 4:28 PIT S. CROSBY (30) M. RECCHI (41) R. WHITNEY (41) EV
2 1 19:34 PIT E. CHRISTENSEN (15) Unassisted   EV
3 2 3:33 MTL C. HIGGINS (19) M. RYDER (25) S. SOURAY (35) PP
4 2 16:06 MTL S. SOURAY (24) T. PLEKANEC (24) A. MARKOV (36) PP
5 3 3:40 PIT E. CHRISTENSEN (16) E. MALKIN (44) M. OUELLET (26) EV
6 3 4:20 PIT G. ROBERTS (16) C. ARMSTRONG (19) A. NASREDDINE (4) EV
7 3 5:40 MTL A. MARKOV (5) S. KOIVU (41) M. RYDER (26) PP
8 3 13:47 PIT M. OUELLET (15) E. MALKIN (45)   EV
9 3 18:55 PIT S. CROSBY (31) M. RECCHI (42) R. MALONE (12) EV-EN

Wednesday, March 14, 2007 -- Evening

The Pens played the New Jersey Devils in an away game this evening. Jocelyn Thibault was in goal. This is another one of those games that didn't see a huge amount of penalties or scoring. With less than three minutes in the second period, the first goal was scored by Jarkko Ruutu. With just a smidge over a minute left in the period, Gary Roberts got into a fight with Michael Rupp. Roberts shoved Rupp into the Devils' bench. Halfway through the third period, Erik Christensen scored a goal to give the Pens a 2-0 lead. In the last six minutes of the game, Sidney Crosby got whacked in the mouth by Mark Recchi, and as Crosby was by the bench, he kicked the puck by his foot. Unfortunately, Maxime Talbot was already on the ice so the Pens had to kill a too many men on the ice penalty. They did, and then shortly after that Jordan Staal scored with an assist by Evgeni Malkin. The pair are the leading rookies in the league. The game ends with Jocelyn Thibault getting his first shut out win of the season. The Pens played well today, and the defense also worked. Final score was 3-0, and the next game will be at home against the Montreal Canadiens.

Seventieth Game of the Season

Goals
Pens
Devils 		1st
0
0 		2nd
1
0 		3rd
2
0 		Final
3
0


Shots on goal
Pens
Devils
1st
11
11
2nd
5
7
3rd
6
6
Final
22
24

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 2 17:18 PIT J. RUUTU (7) S. CROSBY (75)   EV
2 3 9:31 PIT E. CHRISTENSEN (14) J. RUUTU (9) A. NASREDDINE (3) EV
3 3 17:24 PIT J. STAAL (28) E. MALKIN (43) M. OUELLET (25) EV

Tuesday, March 13, 2007 -- Late Evening

The Pens played the Buffalo Sabres this evening at Mellon Arena in front of another standing room only crowd. There were tons of Sabres fans at the Arena, walking around chanting before the game, and continuing the chants during the game. Before the game, Mario Lemieux gave a little speech about the Pens staying in Pittsburgh. At the news conference, he was saying that he wasn't going to sell the team or give up his interest to Ron Burkle. The atmosphere at the game was electric and at times, the Pens responded with some great plays, especially by Sidney Crosby and Maxime Talbot. Talbot especially was energized. However, there were also times when it seemeed that the Pens wanted to lose the game by letting Sabres get into the crease and have free access to the goal. That's why the Sabres were able to get four goals on only 19 shots. It wasn't that Marc-Andre Fleury was giving up weak shots as much as players like Chris Drury stand in front of Fleury without challenge. Also, at the end of regulation, the Pens had a 4-3 lead, when Mark Recchi missed an open net goal in the last minute of the game. Then Drury planted himself in front of Fleury, and the Sabres scored with only six seconds left before the end of regulation. The game went into overtime and then a shoot out. Fleury was stellar again in the shoot out, and Crosby scored the winning shoot out goal. The Pens win with a final score of 5-4. Check out my pictures of the game. Also, check out the multimedia page for video clips of the Lemieux speech and the shoot out. Unfortunately, I don't have a good angle for the shoot out goals on our end, but I do have a good angle for the Fleury saves.

Sixty Ninth Game of the Season

Goals
Sabres
Pens 		1st
1
1 		2nd
1
1 		3rd
2
2 		OT
0
0 		SO
0 (1-3)
1 (2-3) 		Final
4
5


Shots on goal
Sabres
Pens
1st
9
8
2nd
2
15
3rd
8
12
OT
0
3
Final
19
38

SCORING SUMMARY
G Per Time Team Goal Scorer Assist Assist STR
1 1 16:27 BUF J. POMINVILLE (28) J. HECHT (30) D. BRIERE (53) EV
2 1 17:08 PIT R. MALONE (15) S. GONCHAR (46) S. CROSBY (73) EV
3 2 16:33 PIT M. TALBOT (10) A. NASREDDINE (2) R. WHITNEY (38) EV
4 2 18:17 BUF D. KALININ (6) C. DRURY (25) M. RYAN (2) EV
5 3 1:18 PIT S. CROSBY (29) M. RECCHI (40) R. WHITNEY (39) PP
6 3 10:38 PIT S. GONCHAR (13) R. WHITNEY (40) S. CROSBY (74) PP
7 3 12:46 BUF D. BRIERE (29) J. HECHT (31) J. POMINVILLE (28) EV
8 3 19:53 BUF C. DRURY (34) D. BRIERE (54) J. HECHT (32) EV
9 SO   PIT S. CROSBY      

Saturday, March 10, 2007 -- Early Evening

The Pens played the New York Rangers earlier this afternoon in front of a standing room only crowd at the Mellon Arena. From what I understand, the rest of the home games this season are standing room only. Michel Therrien wasn't there today as coach because he was attending his father's funeral. The first two periods were not very good, and the Pens were playing as if they wanted to lose. It was pitiful because they weren't taking advantage of power play opportunities and during one had no shots on goal. The Rangers took advantage and took the early lead. The Pens were down 2-0 going into the third when the team finally showed up to play. First up was Evgeni Malkin who scored his 31st goal of the season. Then Sidney Crosby ended his drought by scoring his 28th goal of the season and 100th point. That was a thrilling moment. Malkin realized the importance of the moment and grabbed the puck to give to Crosby and leaped on the celebrating group of Pens on the ice. Regulation ended in overtime, and I was thinking yet another shoot out, but Colby Armstrong scored his third overtime point to give the Pens the win. The arena was still packed with most of the 17,132 still there. The game also had a highlight of a fight between Georges Laraque and Colton Orr. Everyone in my seating area had been waiting for a Laraque fight, and were entertained by this one, even though it was short. Check out my pictures of the game. Also, check out the multimedia page for pictures and video clips from all of this season's home games.

Sixty Eighth Game of the Season

Goals
Rangers
Pens 		1st
1
0 		2nd
1
0 		3rd
0
2 		OT
0
1 		Final
2
3


Shots on goal
Rangers
Pens
1st
11
7
2nd
10
7
3rd
7
8
OT
0
1
Final
28
23