Not So Fast: Sharks Top Penguins in Game 5 to Extend Finals

Put the champagne back on ice. Cancel those victory parade plans. The Penguins’ must wait a couple more days for another shot at hoisting Lord Stanley’s glittering chalice.

In the Game 5 battle of young goalies, San Jose’s Martin Jones reigned supreme. Imitating his former Kings mentor, Jonathan Quick, the first-year starter made 44 saves—including a passel from the prime scoring areas—to backstop the Sharks to a 4-2 victory over our Penguins.

“[Jones] was hot,” Pens winger Patric Hornqvist said. “We had a lot of chances and he was unbelievable. He made some saves I don’t even think he thought he made. It just felt like they hit him.”

The goalie’s stellar performance sent a vocal Consol Energy Center throng of 18,680 strong home in disappointment. Short-circuited an eagerly anticipated victory celebration for the thousands of faithful who’d packed the streets, bars, and restaurants of downtown Pittsburgh, too.

Indeed, Steel City hockey fans haven’t toasted a major championship on home ice since April 30, 1967, when the Pittsburgh Hornets defeated the Rochester Americans in overtime at the Civic Arena in the final game of their existence to capture the Calder Cup.

Still, those in attendance witnessed a thrilling game. One that opened with an offensive eruption worthy of Mount St. Helens.

Pushing the pace from the outset, San Jose beat a shaky Matt Murray twice within the first three minutes. Brent Burns, the Sharks’ bearded redwood of a defenseman, circled the Penguins’ net and tickled the twine at 1:04 for his first goal of the series. Moments later Logan Couture tipped Justin Braun’s rocket from the point past Murray to stake the visitors to a quick 2-0 lead.

The Pens exploded in equally stunning fashion. With ex-Devil Dainius Zubrus serving a delay-of-game penalty, Evgeni Malkin countered at 4:44. Looking to thread a cross-crease pass to Sidney Crosby, the rangy Russian instead found the tip of Braun’s skate. The puck hopped past Jones and into a wide-open net. It was “Geno’s” second goal in as many games.

Twenty-two ticks later the Pens drew even at 2-2. Heady Nick Bonino picked off Brenden Dillon’s weak clearing attempt and wristed one from the top of the right circle. Carl Hagelin raced to the doorstep in typical hustling fashion to deflect the puck home.

With the Sharks reeling, the black and gold had numerous chances to grab the lead. None better than Phil Kessel’s wicked one-timer on the power play that rang off both posts. Unless it was Chris Kunitz’ drive that clanged off the left post. Or Tom Kuhnhackl’s shot from point-blank range just as Burns exited the penalty box.

Then, in a flash of Game 4 déjà vu, Eric Fehr roared down the wing and cut loose a bullet. This time Jones made the save.

On the ensuing rush Melker Karlsson beat Murray to the glove side to reclaim the lead for the Sharks. One they would not relinquish in the face of a withering counterassault that saw the Penguins attempt 76 shots in all. Forty more than their west-coast adversary.

Veterans Bonino, Crosby, and Hornqvist all had glorious opportunities to knot the score. So did kids Bryan Rust and Conor Sheary. Jones stoned ‘em all.

At the opposite end of the ice, Murray rebounded to stop 15 shots over the final 40 minutes. Including a pair of big third-period saves on Couture and Patrick Marleau to keep the game close.

Afterward, Crosby was quick to defend the Pens’ young goalie.

“I think he [Murray] gave us a lot of chances to win games, and again tonight, even at 3-2, they had some really good chances and he held us in there,” No. 87 said.

Spoken like a true captain.

Unfortunately, Murray’s effort was a classic case of too little, too late. At least for Game 5.

Do you know the way to San Jose?