So much for Carolina going undefeated in games that Eric Staal finds the scoresheet. In the playoffs, until tonight, the Hurricanes were 7-0 when Staal scored. Staal was responsible for the only goal Carolina could muster in this game. Unfortunately for him, he got no scoring support from any of his teammates on the way to losing the series in four games straight.
Carolina showed signs of a team that wanted to win a hockey game. They outshot the Penguins, they out hit the Penguins and at times they dominated play. Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, they don’t have guys that can finish plays. Marc-Andre Fleury had something to say about the lack of Carolina goals as well. He was very good tonight. Even when the Canes had good scoring opportunities, Fleury was there to close the door. After Fedotenko tied the game up, Talbot’s fluky goal seemed to take something out of the Hurricanes. Talbot’s goal came with less that two minutes remaining in the first period and seemed to take it’s toll on the will of the Canes.
For the second consecutive year, the Penguins have won the Prince of Whales trophy. They did, however, handle the presentation of the trophy differently this year. Crosby, being of a superstitious nature, refused to touch the Whales trophy last year. This year he held the trophy, shared the trophy with Malkin and Gonchar and had pictures taken while he held it. When asked why he changed his approach, he talked about the fact that they lost the Cup after taking the superstitious route. Touching the trophy may change the luck this year. Let’s hope that is the case.
Notes:
- Max Talbot was awesome tonight. He ended up with three points. He was diving for pucks, hitting, grinding and generally doing everything he could to win.
- Satan played another decent game.
- The Pens were outshot for the first time in 13 games.
- All you people who have been complaining about Fleury have got to give him credit. He was great tonight.
- I can’t see how anyone can say Billy Guerin is too slow for Crosby after seeing him get his goal.
- The forecheck was very effective.
- Scuderi had a marvelous game. He seemed to have his stick everywhere it needed to be.
- And in a very special note: The Ticketmaster secret password for getting Detroit Redwing Home Stanley Cup Finals tickets – Ticket Master Code: PRERD4 – Enter the code in the second blank on the order form. Let’s get some real support for our team while they are in Detroit.
Let’s go get the hardware!
Didn’t Bill Cowher root for the Arizona Cardinals during the last Super Bowl? And really, what were the Carolina Hurricanes thinking? Couldn’t they find someone more hockey related to crank the siren? You might think that Glen Wesley, from their Cup team, since they retired his number (2) might have been a better choice than someone who’s record in conference championship games has a lot to be desired.
I was just watching Channel 11 news of William Cowhered cranking that siren. They had the sound byte and that porker mascot of their’s is screaming “Squeal like a pig!”
Chris Kunitz and Marian Hossa both have 12 points this post season. Hossa is averaging 1 and a half minutes more ice time per game. We’ll whoop them!
This type of banter is awesome. I get goosebumps just reading it. I am very excited about the Pens going to the finals. And to think, with this team and Shero, this could happen frequently. I wonder what a Detroit vs. Pittsburgh rematch will do for overall viewership for the NHL.
Talbot was hitting everything that moved yesterday and Staal planted Ward 4 times on one shift! That was awsome. This team is primed and ready! Bring it on!
Mike Tomlin could kick Cowhers slobering traitorous ass!
I’m hoping for knock-out, absolute blood-bath tonight with the HAWKS laying out a few WINGS. The Red Wings eventually taking it in triple OT on a flukey goal. Hossa as a MINUS 3! Let’s start all of this on Saturday Night LIVE! I can’t wait. I also heard a rumor that Bill Cowher will be in town and has already tried to order his octopussy from Wooley’s Fish Market but they turned him down, saying: “Bill who?”
We could be talking draft picks.
We could be talking about the Calder Cup.
We could be talking Free Agency.
But we’re not.
WOOHOO.
Much better.
NICE ONE BOOM BOOM!
This team does look way better than last years team, and their all going into the finals healthy and happy, Detroit’s not going to know what hit them!!!!! GO PENS!!
Cowher when interviewed said he changed his loyalty because Matt Cullen was his next door neighbor. A good thing maybe that John Walker Lindh wasn’t his neighbor otherwise he’d be grinding a siren in support of al Qaeda and the Taliban. Cowher is a total, what’s in for me now, turncoat loser.
I just had to get that out of my system. I feel better now.
Go Pens!
In the middle of the year when they were losing all those games, you could just see the stress on the players faces. They now seem loose and confident. However, not cocky. Great series and can’t wait for the next one.
Had to laugh about Sid picking up the Prince of Wales Trophy. Couldn’t hurt. Mario touched it in ’91.
I remember when we won the Stanley Cups all players contributed. I can safely say, we are playing that way now. I hope we kick butt in the finals.
I thought we had a real strong team last year. However, this team seems to never quit. When we are behind in a game, you know they are going to do everything to come back.
Can’t wait until next series. GOOOOOOOO PEEEEENNNNSSSS!
Dr. Hook, I don’t think it unfair to start some preliminary comparisons to Badger Bob. Bylsma is definately a players coach with an infectious passion for the game, much like Johnson. These players certainly subscribe to his methods 100%.
It’s obvious way too early in Disco DAN’s coaching career to make this type of comparison but has anyone started to see a little bit of a combo of BADGER BOB Johnson & HERBIE Brooks in this guy? What’s going on with the Penguins are a mixture of a little bit of Miracle On Ice combined with It’s A Great Day for Hockey. Everything is positive thinking combined with a team concept. No one is stronger than the weakest link. The players have a total team – unselfishness attitude – they look to love each and every game – and while doing it they don’t talk or act like some cocky bastard doing a Captain Morgan rum ad.
Way to go Penguins… Four giants steps for the whole enchilada! WOOHOO.
I’m feeling way better about the Pens chances this year than I did last year. WoooHooooooo!