Pens Clinch Division With Win
Jonathan Farzalo | Pittsburgh Penguins
Apr 2, 11:54 PM | Hype this story!
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| Summary |
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The Penguins clinched the Atlantic Division title tonight with a hard
fought 4-2 win against the Flyers. This is their first division
title in 10 years and they have the ability to grab the Eastern
Conference crown on Sunday. The game had over 50 hits and was a bruiser from the start. Both teams came out ready, willing, and able to throw the body, fists, headshots, elbows, sticks, gloves, and just about anything possible at each other. This was the kind of game that last year, the Pens would have probably lost, just simply due to the toughness factor. However, they are battle tested, due to injuries and experience, and did not shy away from a single moment of contact all game. From Whitney to Crosby and Malkin, to Gonchar and Ruutu, the Penguins stood their ground, and did so at all ends and points of the ice. Philadelphia began the scoring in the 1st but it was Gonchar who netted the first Penguins goal when he threw a simple wrist shot on net while up a man with a powerplay. Crosby scored two goals and proved that his hands are catching up with his game again after being out for an extended time. The 2nd goal was a beautiful redirect from behind him, through his legs; it was something to behold. Malkin also showed that he wasn’t and isn’t going to let Sidney be the ‘only guy’ on the team, and scored a great shot through the 5-hole after Fleury made a key save off the rush. If anything this game just gave people a taste of what may be to come on Sunday. If these teams play another game like this or even step it up a notch, I can’t imagine how the officials will be able to contain the players. It could get ugly. Congratulations Pittsburgh. |
| Three Stars | ||||
| # | Player | Team | Pos. | Stats |
| 1 | Crosby | Pit | C | 2 Goals, 1 Assist |
| 2 | Gonchar | Pit | D | 1 Goal, 2 Assists |
| 3 | Malkin | Pit | C | 1 Goal, 1 Assist |
| Stat Line | |||||||||
| Shots | Faceoffs | Power Plays | |||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | Total | Won | Lost | Converted | Total | |
| Pittsburgh | 8 | 15 | 6 | - | 29 | 24 | 30 | 4 | 6 |
| Philadelphia | 9 | 8 | 12 | - | 29 | 30 | 24 | 1 | 5 |
| Scoring Summary | |||||
| Per. | Time | Team | Goal | Assist | Assist |
| 1 | 08:58 10:24 13:13 |
Phi Pit Phi |
Scott Hartnell Sergei Gonchar Jeff Carter |
Briere Crosby Lupul |
Prospal Malkin Coburn |
2 |
06:26 14:33 |
Pit Pit |
Sidney Crosby Evgeni Malkin |
Gonchar Whitney |
Hossa |
| 3 | 18:26 | Pit | Sidney Crosby | Gonchar | Hossa |
| Penalty Summary | ||||
| Per. | Time | Team | Player | Penalty |
| 1 | 02:22 02:22 09:59 11:37 13:13 13:13 14:06 14:06 |
Phi Pit Phi Pit Pit Phi Phi Pit |
Cote Laraque Carter Gill Orpik Lupul Kukkonen Crosby |
Fighting – 5 min Fighting – 5 min Roughing – 2 min Tripping – 2 min Fighting – 5 min Fighting – 5 min Roughing – 2 min Roughing – 2 min |
2 |
06:07 06:07 08:28 08:28 10:22 12:58 15:08 15:08 19:24 |
Phi Phi Phi Pit Pit Phi Phi Pit Pit |
Hartnell Coburn Hartnell Orpik Gill Dowd Briere Ruutu Laraque |
Charging – 2 min Holding – 2 min Roughing – 2 min Delay of Game – 2 min Hooking – 2 min Hooking – 2 min Roughing – 2 min Interference – 2 min Roughing – 2 min |
| 3 | 02:55 07:08 10:05 10:05 11:42 17:12 |
Pit Phi Phi Pit Pit Phi |
Hossa Smith Hartnell Ruutu Gonchar Knuble |
Hooking – 2 min Crosscheck – 2 min Roughing – 2 min Roughing – 2 min Hooking – 2 min Hooking – 2 min |
Comments
Matt Bodenschatz
Apr 3, 12:05 AM
This was a playoff type game, for sure. The Flyers played like a team hoping to intimidate the Penguins into losing — but as evidenced earlier this year in a Penguin-initiated brawl, it won’t work.
I get a kick out of how dumb the Flyers are. everytime they focus in on Crosby, he kills them. If they were smart, they’d play him just like they do any other player and they wouldn’t tick him off.
Justin Maffei
Apr 3, 12:35 AM
I loved the fact that Sydor was scratched tonight. Letang got back in the line-up and played well.
Hall also played again in place of Taffe. Good to see Hall back out there, but I think I would rather have Taffe in the line-up.
I also love the “Shirts off their backs” give away that the Penguins do every year at their last home game. Very Classy!
TIM
Apr 3, 12:35 AM
YEAH! Watching the highlights now, and seemed like it was an intense, chippy game. I am really happy to see they won the division. 2 team goals down 1 to go. Keep it up FF team!
jon s
Apr 3, 02:18 AM
all the goals on the PP….Thats a good sign….Flower played great again….
DaBich
Apr 3, 06:48 AM
Jon , i was thrilled to see them score PP goals, finally. They need to do that in the playoffs to win.
MAF was excellent in goal.
Matt ~ The Flyers ARE dumb…Crosby gets pissed off, goals happen!
Jonathan Farzalo
Apr 3, 07:57 AM
i would have liked to see at least 1 even strength goal…but I was happy to see the PP clickin at least…
and yes, maf DID play well, and has been key!
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