Pens At Panthers Grades
Mike Adams | Report Cards
Nov 24, 10:29 AM | Hype this story!
Twenty-minute men
Play just long enough to win
A win is a win
Offense: B
Like in all the other categories, I am essentially averaging the grades for the first two periods and what followed. The Pens did squat until the third period, launching nothing but easy shots at Vokoun. They had nothing going on. Then they decided to play, and got all kinds of great chances. It took some stellar work by Vokoun to keep them from winning in regulation. But at least they tied it, thanks to one of the best shifts you’ll ever see. They just bottled the Panthers in their own end for an incredible two minutes, before wearing them down.
Defense: B+
They held Florida to 19 even-strength shots, but both goals resulted from defensive lapses. On the first, Gonchar and Orpik both went after Weiss, leaving Horton all alone in front. That was on Sarge. Then they gave up a 2-on-1 that they defended well, but Max didn’t hustle back to pick up the trailing Ballard.
Yeo Play: B
Well, they finally got one in OT when it counted, but even that wasn’t pretty. Why you don’t put someone in front on a 4-on-3 is beyond me. But Mike Yeo is a genius so who am I to argue? I mean, they won the game that way, right? But imagine this. It was on a rebound.
Penalty Kill: A
Brilliant PK, although Florida’s power play might be worse than the Pens’.
Goaltending: A
Another strong game for Flower. He could do nothing on the two goals, and was otherwise solid. He was helped by three or four goalposts, though. Big Ben was his best friend last night.
Overall: B
I can’t give them an A when they really only showed up in the third period and OT. For the first two periods, it seemed like they had a beach hangover or something. But they transformed during the second intermission. Suddenly, they cared, and it showed. They dominated the third period and OT, scoring three times and outshooting Florida 22-3. It was the second straight time they trailed Florida 2-0 after two and rallied to win.
And now, the rest of the story…
Sid: B
He notched the game-winner, but also gave it away on more than one occasion.
Geno: B
He was pretty invisible the first two periods but carried them on his back in the third. He was out for the entire awesome shift.
Christopher Bourque: F
He just continues to not improve. Not an NHL player.
Nathan Horton: A
Who woke this guy up and told him to play hard?
Mike Rupp: A
Tell me why he doesn’t get time on the first power play unit.
Striped Buffoon Huh? Call of the Game
A linesman calling a penalty in OT? Really?
Free Candy
He absolutely plastered Kamil Kreps into the glass. I think the boards might still be shaking. But then he nailed Horton in OT and drew the penalty that won the Pens the game. Talk about a free cookie!
Monk Moment
A linesman calling a penalty in OT? Really?
Comments
FDeuce
Nov 24, 11:09 AM
a penalty is a penalty regardless of when the infraction takes place.
Mike Adams
Nov 24, 11:15 AM
@ fdeuce,
Boy, you could never officiate in the NHL, or be in any position of power, with an attitude like that.
Nate
Nov 24, 11:49 AM
You really just never know what team is going to show up. If the team that cares and wants to play shows up, I don’t believe there is a team in the league that can beat them. The problem is, it seems, more often, the team that doesn’t care shows up.
Hope it’s not a trend they stick with.
Darkstar
Nov 24, 11:50 AM
linesman are allowed to call a penalty in in certain cases, because it drew blood and because none of the refs saw it, the linesman is allowed to tell the refs what he saw.
Chris A
Nov 24, 12:06 PM
Exactly DARKSTAR...with the fact that it drew blood, it’s a pretty obvious call. It’s not like he called a hook or hold or some other ticky tacky call.
DaBich
Nov 24, 01:54 PM
Mike Adams
Nov 24, 10:15 AM
@ fdeuce,
Boy, you could never officiate in the NHL, or be in any position of power, with an attitude like that.
ROFLMAO Shame on you Mike! I choked on my green tea!
Commenting is closed for this article.