With apologies to our faithful readers, this is going to be a bare-bones recap, as life continues to take away time and space like a determined back-checker. But I’ll try my best to hit the high notes.
The Penguins lost, 3-2, in a shootout last night in Philly. Playing on back-to-back nights for the first time this season, we clearly didn’t have our usual zip. Indeed, after Justin Brazeau staked us to an early lead midway through the first period on a classic power drive to the net, our guns pretty much fell silent for the next 30 minutes or so. Thus opening the door for Philly to grab a 2-1 lead on goals by Bobby Brink and Travis Konecny.
Fortunately for the locals, goalie Arturs Silovs held the fort and then some, which afforded us an opportunity to regroup. Dipping into whatever energy stores we could muster, we dictated the territorial play in the third period. Our diligence paid off at 11:57 when Sidney Crosby scored on a three-cushion bank shot that bonked off Philly d-man Nick Seeler, the post and goalie Sam Ersson before crossing the line.
If the first 60 minutes were comparatively tame for a Pens-Flyers matchup, overtime was anything but. With a delayed penalty about to be called on our hosts, Evgeni Malkin appeared to score the game winner. However, the goal was waved off due to an obscure rule called Premature Substitution. You see, Silovs was still miles away from our bench when Geno bolted onto the ice.
Better that than a penalty for too-many-men.
Unfortunately, Geno returned Philly’s largesse by taking a penalty of his own. With No. 71 parked in the sin bin, Tyson Foerster appeared to notch the OT-winner with 24.4 seconds remaining. However, that would-be goal was waved off as well due to an offsides call, granting the Pens a reprieve.
The stay of execution was a short one. The Flyers eclipsed us in the shootout, 2-1.
Still, to wrangle a point out of what appeared at times to be a lost cause?
It feels like a win.
Puckpourri
I don’t know if it’s a big deal or not, but we continue to be outshot on a regular basis. Last night Philly held sway in shot attempts (64-53) and shots on goal (34-26).
Shootout aside, Silovs was mostly terrific while turning aside 32 of 34 shots. His rebound control was better.
A wild donnybrook erupted at the end of overtime featuring Noel Acciari and Parker Wotherspoon as the main black-and-gold combatants. Both were issued 10-minute misconducts, which disqualified them from participating in the shootout. Sid, too.
The tussle goes hand-in-hand with one of my favorite things about this team. Competitive spirit, moxie, esprit de corps, call it what you will, but this bunch has a fighter’s heart. A most welcome change from the past few seasons.
Following a tough outing the night before, the third line of rookies Ben Kindel and Ville Koivunen and veteran Tommy Novak was much better. How about the move Koivunen put on Ersson in the shootout—approaching slowly before rapidly speeding up? He didn’t score, but I loved it all the same.
Recalled yesterday from the Baby Pens, Owen Pickering made his season debut while skating alongside Matt Dumba, who returned to his natural (right) side. Although the pair was underwater, metrics-wise, they finished a combined plus-three. Dumba collected an assist as well.
That makes three of the last four games Harrison Brunicke has sat out. A return to his junior club would appear imminent.
Filip Hållander collected an assist on Sid’s game-tying goal and continues to do nice work on the top line.
Up next for the 7-2-2 Pens, the Wild in Minny on Thursday night.
I have to admit, I get that brunicke is not doing too well right now, but the pens are a much better team when he is playing well vs using pickering and whomever else is left. Dumba, Clifton et al are not good enough. I hope they keep brunicke up, even if he plays less often while they work on his bad habits.
Hello Keeger,
I really like Brunicke, too. His skating and skills are off the charts. He certainly has star potential written all over him.
From what I can gather, he tries to do too much on his own, relying on his individual talent rather than utilizing his teammates as the situation merits. I’m sure he’s used to getting away with that in junior. The fact that he’s played for a weak junior team probably only reinforces his instincts to do it all himself.
Kind of reminds me of former Pen Mike Matheson in that regard.
Hopefully he’ll learn and develop as he goes along. Easy to forget he’s only 19, ridiculously young for an NHL defenseman.
Rick