Bouncing Back

Well, our boys did rebound very well from a disappointing loss to the Flyers. ?They played another solid game front top to bottom. ?Fleury made some spectacular saves to earn a shut-out. ?Hal Gill scored on a rush with Malkin. ?Yes, Hal Gill! ?The Pens stifled the high-flying Calgary offense. ?This was another great test as we near the playoffs.

Notes on the game:

• How about the defense pinching in, joining rushes and getting the puck to the net. ?Both goals were scored by defenders. ?Letang, who scored the other goal, was born to play hockey the way the Pens are now playing.
• The Pens cut their penalties down to four for the game. ?One was a double-minor for high-sticking. ?
• The Penalty killers were spectacular.
• If I had one complaint, it would be the penalty killers inability, at times, to clear the puck from the zone when they have a good opportunity to do so. ?I have been noticing this for a while now.

Now, did Therrien’s system or coaching style make players so fearful to make mistakes that they could not play their game? ?Most of the players on this team are like flowers that bloomed only after Bylsma took over the reins. ?It has been a remarkable transformation, and I have certainly enjoyed watching it.

Let’s go Pens!