Faceoff Factor

Pens/Flyers Game 2 Grades

Mike Adams | Report Cards

Apr 18, 11:52 AM | Hype this story!

Guerin, looking good
Biron’s luck runs out
Penguins take commanding lead
So go home Flyers

Offense: C

They peppered Martin “He Ain’t No Brodeur” Biron with 40 even strength shots, but only one found the back of the net. The big problem was they were unable to get a good cycle game going after the first period, so many of the shots were weak ones from the outside.

Defense: A-

They played well defensively. They allowed only one even strength goal, but that was on Fleury. Otherwise, the Flyers didn’t have a ton of great chances.

Yeo Play: A

Big goals at big times. The PP had been putrid all game long, but came to life when Jeff Carter took a hooking penalty late in regulation. The Pens made him pay when Geno’s right leg deflected a shot past Biron. Then, the Flyers took two consecutive dumb penalties in OT, and Guerin zipped a wrister past Biron on the 5-on-3. Up to that point, the 2-man advantage had not been terribly impressive. But Guerin found a hole in Biron, and that was that.

Penalty Kill: C

They allowed a Scott Fartsmell deflection for a goal, and also forced Fleury to be huge down a man. Thankfully, he was.

Goaltending: A-

Fleury was tremendous, save for the weak goal he allowed to Darren Powe. But when the Pens were stagnant late in the first and in the second period, he kept them in the game. And his save on Jeff Carter was simply incredible.

Overall: B+

The Flyers came out ready to play in this one, and the Pens matched their intensity. But they never led in the game until the final horn sounded. I didn’t think they played quite as well as they had in Game 1, as the cycle game never really got established. And the power play didn’t look good most of the night until it came up huge at the end. So they are up 2-0, but I think they can still play better.

And now, the rest of the story…

Sid: B

Not his best effort. He only had one assist, but he also was key on Guerin’s first goal by driving the net and taking guys with him.

Geno: A

It was a much better effort by him. He was strong all night and ended up figuring in on every goal. Unfortunately, he’s saddled with an empty sweater on his right, and that really hurts his ability to make things happen.

Bill Guerin: A

So much for him being washed up. I had never been a big fan of his, but scoring overtime goals like that will make me a convert in a hurry.

Faceoff stats: F

All they seem to talk about is the total number, which the Pens won. But in the first period, the Pens lost all seven defensive zone draws. Kudos to Versus for pointing that out.

Sergei Gonchar: C

He was awful most of the night, but then assisted on both power play goals.

Petr Sykora: I

I have to admit, I did see him actually try to make contact with a Flyer last night. But that was it. I have seen enough. It’s time to replace him with Satan. That won’t happen until they lose, of course.

Ed Snider: A

How does this guy do it? The Flyers get killed in Game 1, so he calls the league and says he needs better officiating for his team. The league kowtows to him and sends Philly’s favorite ref, Bill McCreary, to call Game 2. This clown has to be their top choice because he basically ignores everything he sees. What could be better for the goon squad?

Booing Scott Fartsmell: F

Why would Penguin fans boo the guy that was the Pens’ best weapon in Game 1?

Benjamins: F

They’re good when you have them; they’re bad when you give them up. I bet my wife a Benjamin sometime late in the first the Pens would lose the game. Oh, well, at least the win made me happy.

The Ice Dancers: 2.1

Simon Gagne and Danny Boy Briere were once again invisible. Briere has been outscored by Darren Powe and Mark Eaton in the series

Icehole of the Game

Scott Fartsmell, just because. Or how about Danny Carcillo, just because he was suspended for this one for the cheap head shot on Talbot in the previous game.

Striped Buffoon Huh? Call of the Game

How easy is this one? As Sykora was ready to shoot on an odd man break, Fartsmell just throws his stick at the puck. Yet, somehow, neither McCreary nor Brad Meier was able to see this. Unbelievable. And you wonder why McCreary is their favorite ref? When is this stooge going to join Koharski in the donut shop?

Free Candy

Joffrey Lupul

Free Cookie

Mike Richards

Monk Moment

The Fleury save on Carter. His right toe just came out of nowhere. Not quite as good as “The Save,” but not too shabby, either.

A guide to the game grades can be found here.