Take that, Gritty!
In as thrilling and intense a hockey game as you’ll ever hope to witness, the Penguins beat back the persistent Flyers, 3-2, in Game 5 of their first-round clash before a rockin’ throng at PPG Paints Arena last night. In the process, taking another step in their quest for an improbable comeback.
The Flyers came out buzzin’ like bees around Mike Lange’s hive, forcing Pens goalie Arturs Šilovs to make several stops right out of the chute. Then black-and-gold lightning struck at 2:45, on our first shot on goal to boot. Anthony Mantha raced in and bounced Rasmus Ristolainen off the puck behind the net, then flipped a backhand pass to the slot intended for Ben Kindel. As if it had eyes, the rubber hopped over the rookie’s stick and directly to Elmer Söderblom coming late on the play. The big guy stepped his massive 6’8″ frame into the biscuit and ripped it past Dan Vladar high glove side.
The Pens struck again in the second period, with the unlikely duo of Sidney Crosby and Connor Dewar joining forces. In his inimitable hustling style, Blake Lizotte hounded Owen Tippett into a turnover. Steaming in from the bench, Crosby pounced on the loose puck and slipped a diagonal pass to Dewar in the left circle. The former Everett Silvertips captain beat Vladar top-shelf, blocker-side.
Our celly, not to mention our two-goal lead, were incredibly short-lived. Twelve seconds to be exact.
That’s how long it took peppery Flyers rookie Alex Bump to speed into our zone, dip a shoulder to burst around Parker Wotherspoon, and beat Šilovs short side.
Talk about a potential momentum-shifter. Yet much to the Pens’ credit, they got right back on their horse and continued to carry the play.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to prevent Philly from drawing even. Just past the 15-minute mark, Ristolainen and Travis Sanheim played pitch-and-catch with the puck up high in our zone before the latter set sail for the left circle. His shot glanced off the shaft of Erik Karlsson’s stick and slipped just inside the post.
A brand-new hockey game at 2-2. Despite our good work, the outcome was very much up for grabs. You just hoped (and prayed) we’d find a way.
Just over two minutes later we did, thanks to a heapin’ helpin’ of good fortune. Working low to high from behind the net, Crosby fed Kris Letang at the right point. Tanger took a moment to survey the scene, then unleashed a bullet toward the Philly net. The puck sailed just wide as Vladar slid over to cover the post.
And that’s when the hockey gods smiled. The wayward puck smacked off the end boards and made a bee-line for Vladar’s left skate. As the rangy netminder moved back into position, he unknowingly dragged the rubber with him. In the process, directing it over the goal line!
Needless to say, the old barn went bonkers. I did, too.
The Pens proceeded to play a remarkably solid third-period. A playoff-style third period. Rather than fall back into a defensive shell, we kept our foot on the gas pedal, albeit in a smart, responsible way. All the while limiting Philly to just four shots on goal.
There were some tense moments to be sure in the final couple of minutes after Vladar exited for an extra attacker. Adding to the drama, Sid uncharacteristically missed not one but two cracks at the empty Flyers net. However, we limited Philly to just two shots on goal in the final 1:58 and none in the final 54 seconds. Unless you count the cross-check Travis Konecny applied to Sid, dirty and cheap and from behind, of course, during the game-ending scrum.
Puckpourri
Befitting the riveting intensity, the game was remarkably even stats-wise. According to Natural Stat Trick, the Pens held a slight advantage in shot attempts (59-58), shots on goal (21-20) and scoring chances (29-28), with a larger edge in high-danger chances (14-6).
Sid paced the Pens’ attack with two assists and played a terrific game while earning second-star honors. His line was a force all night, as was our fourth line of Dewar, Lizotte and Noel Acciari (67.70 xGF%).
Don’t know if Mantha ate his spinach (perhaps his Wheaties, too), but he was a beast. Quite noticeable and forceful. Top star Letang, aided and abetted by partner Sam Girard, was superb. What a turnaround for No. 58 from the first few games of the series.
For the second game in a row, coach Dan Muse basically went with five defensemen while spotting Ilya Solovyov (6:09 of ice time) an occasional shift. Thanks to his ability to play either side, Ryan Shea has served as a sort of swingman fill-in, and quite effectively.
So good to receive production from support players like Dewar and Söderblom. Speaking of, prior to scoring his goal, Elmer was flattened in the neutral zone by Sanheim on a stiff check. But the big guy hopped right back to his skates and was duly rewarded for his hustle.
Šilovs stopped 18 of 20 shots (.900 SV%). Still technically a rookie, Arturs continued to flash postseason mojo, which earned him MVP honors while backstopping Abbotsford to last season’s AHL Calder Cup.
Is there a dirtier, filthier player than Konecny? He’s all stick work and kicking. It was comical to watch him spar with Mantha, who could’ve squashed the Philly rat like a bug. Still, I suppose he’s the kind of player you love if he’s on your team.
On the flip side, Bump reminds me more than a little of a young Bryan Rust. Smart move by Rick Tocchet to insert the inspirational rookie into the lineup.
With the Pens just now hitting their stride, it makes me question the wisdom of taking the last few regular-season games off. Water well under the bridge.
After being outfoxed early, Muse is proving his worth behind the behind.
Up next, Game 6 in Philly on Wednesday night.
