For only the third time in Penguins history the team played two exhibition games in one day. The black-and-gold earned a split in the rare hockey double-header, nipping Columbus 3-2 in overtime in the matinee contest before suffering a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of the Blue Jackets in the night cap.
In the opener, contested at PPG Paints Arena, the Blue Jackets iced a kid-laden lineup while the Pens went with a mixture of youth and veterans. The visitors snatched a 2-1 lead on goals by former Pen James Neal (trying to earn a spot on a PTO) and Nick Blankenburg, sandwiched around a tally by defenseman Jon Lizotte, who returned to the Pens following a season with the Wild.
The Jackets maintained the lead until late in the third period. With 55 seconds left, Pens rookie Corey Andonovski (pictured above) roofed a shot over the left shoulder of Jackets goalie Nolan Lalonde off a pretty setup from Sam Poulin to knot the score at 2-2.
Near the two-minute mark in overtime Jason Zucker scored the game-winner on a spectacular individual effort. Following a failed offensive flurry, Zucker scooped up a loose puck, turned on the jets, bolted past No. 1 pick David Jiricek and beat Lalonde five-hole with a backhand-to-forehand move as he was sprawling to the ice.
Maybe, just maybe, we can expect good things from “Zucks” this year.
Other performances of note include Andonovski, who dished out a game high seven hits despite seeing only 10:12 of ice time, and Poulin (an assist, three hits and three shots on goal). A softy on the Neal goal aside, netminders Casey DeSmith and Filip Lindberg were sharp, yielding one goal apiece while combing for 26 saves. Newcomer Ty Smith topped the team in ice time (26:43) but was relatively quiet with no shots on goal.
Unfortunately, our boys didn’t fare as well in the second game. The cannon at Nationwide Arena got a vigorous workout as the Jackets “A-team” featuring Johnny Gaudreau (three assists) and Patrik Laine (a goal) strafed Dustin Tokarski and a kiddie korps Pens crew, 5-1. The lone black-and-gold tally came off the stick of Jordan Frasca, who bounced off the ice to whip the puck past Jet Greaves (great name) midway through the final period.
Among the individual efforts, defenseman Jack St. Ivany picked up an assist and played a solid game, drawing a comparison from Pittsburgh Hockey Now to John Marino. Fellow blueliner Pierre-Olivier Joseph held up fairly well under a heavy workload (23:28 TOI).
On the flip side, power-forward hopeful Nathan Legare (minus-two) had a rough game. His defensive-zone giveaway in the second period led directly to a Blue Jackets goal. Although Legare continued to battle and compete (a game-high five hits) he didn’t mesh especially well with linemates Raivis Ansons and Sam Houde. According to PHN, he spent most of his time hovering around the net in search of a setup rather than involving himself all over the ice. A trait I noticed last preseason.
Houston, We Have a Heavyweight
As PenguinPoop readers are all-too-aware, I’ve lamented the Pens’ lack of a physical deterrent on occasions too numerous to count. However, there is a heavyweight in the organization, a fellow by the name of Jamie Devane. The reason I’ve never mentioned him in the past? He’s under contract with the Baby Pens. And, with a grand total of 27 goals spread over 10 minor-league seasons, he’s got about as much of a chance to suit up for the big club as I do.
That being said, Jamie can chuck ‘em. The hulking 6’5” 239-pound forward put his fighting wares on display 1:56 into the third period of the first game when he squared off with towering Jackets defenseman Ben Harpur, himself no shrinking violet. After a fairly even and spirited exchange, Devane dropped his foe with a crushing right, in the process knocking Harpur out cold.
I admit, I’m a proponent of physical hockey and I enjoy a good hockey fight, provided the antagonists are evenly matched. But, frankly, this was scary to watch. I felt sick to my stomach for Harpur, who appeared to be seriously hurt. Devane as well, who must’ve felt awful as he hovered near his fallen foe with obvious concern.
Thank goodness Harpur was eventually able to exit the ice with assistance from his teammates and was on the team flight later on. But it does make you wonder if perhaps it’s time to outlaw fighting altogether.
