Kennedy, Penguins Down Islanders 3-2

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Dec 15, 09:53 PM | Hype this story!

 

 

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Summary
Tyler Kennedy played arguably his best game as an NHL’er and took additional steps toward proving he is more than just a third line energy player.

The young winger started the game on the third line but quickly found his way to the top line with Sidney Crosby and Ryan Malone.  As a result, Kennedy finished the game with a goal and two assists and was named the game’s number one star.

Crosby and Ryan Whitney potted the other Pittsburgh Penguin goals, while Josef Vasicek and Richard Park tickeled the twine for the New York Islanders.

The game also featured some extracurricular activity, which was keynoted by Chris Simon’s dangerous and despicable act in the third period, which led to a five-minute match penalty and a game misconduct for intent to injure.

Simon, who has a history of playing on the edge, stepped on Jarkko Ruutu’s leg, a move that could have caused serious injury.  Ruutu, however, appeared to be fine and did not leave the game.

Rob Scuderi, however, was not so lucky.  The Penguins’ stay-at-home defenseman left the game early in the second period with what is being described as an ankle injury.  He did not return.

Penguins goalie Dany Sabourin, making his fourth consecutive start in the absence of Marc-Andre Fleury, picked up his seventh win of the season, saving 27 of 29 shots.  His counterpart, Rick Dipietro, faced an onslaught of Penguin shots and saved 37 of 40.

The Penguins, now out of the Atlantic Division basement, will travel to Manhattan to play the New York Rangers Tuesday at 6:30.
 
Three Stars
1 Tyler Kennedy RW, Pittsburgh 1 goal, 2 assists
2 Sidney Crosby C, Pittsburgh 1 goal, +2
3 Richard Park RW, NY Islanders 1 goal
 
Stat Line
Team Shots Faceoffs Power Plays
  1 2 3 OT Total Won Lost Converted Total
Pittsburgh 15 16 9 X 40 18 35 1 6
NY Islanders 7 11 11 X 29 35 18 1 2
 
Scoring Summary
Per. Time Team Goal Assist Assist
1 2:48
6:35		 Pit
Pit		 Crosby
Whitney		 Kennedy
Orpik
Kennedy
2 4:57
5:42
14:16		 NYI
NYI
Pit		 Park (PP)
Vasicek
Kennedy		 Comrie
Satan
Staal		 Guerin
Bergenheim
Letang
3          
 
Penalty Summary
Per. Time Team Player Penalty
1 9:09
14:21
14:21
14:21
18:15		 NYI
NYI
NYI
Pit
Pit		 Simon
Sutton
Sutton
Roberts
Sykora		 Tripping – 2:00
Roughing – 2:00
Fighting – 5:00
Fighting – 5:00
Slashing – 2:00
2 3:50
7:34
12:33
12:33
12:33
16:59		 Pit
NYI
NYI
Pit
NYI
NYI		 Scuderi
Guerin
Vasicek
Whitney
Witt
Martinek		 Cross checking – 2:00
Hooking – 2:00
Roughing – 2:00
Roughing – 2:00
Roughing – 2:00
Holding – 2:00
3 14:06 NYI Simon Intent to injure – 5:00

Comments

  1. Ashley Gallant

    Dec 15, 10:05 PM

    Chris Simon’s going to get it good from Coley, especially after his actions last season. I wouldn’t be surprised to see 25+ games on this one.

  2. Seth

    Dec 15, 10:37 PM

    Simon will for sure be suspended but I am not too sure it will be near 25 games. It wasn’t a head shot so they won’t go that hard on him. I am hoping for 10+

  3. Ashley Gallant

    Dec 16, 01:12 PM

    It may not have been a head shot, but that doesn’t make it any less dangerous. Players are taught from the time they are little kids that you absolutely do not kick other players. Simon stomped on Ruutu’s leg while Ruutu was down on the ice, and he even situated Ruutu’s leg so that he could do just that.

    Simon has been suspended 6 times for stuff like this – horrible, sickening things, and his hit on Ryan Hollweg was not the first time he went bonkers.

    Coley absolutely needs to suspend Simon for more than 25 games, if not kick him out of the game for good, and the NHLPA needs to step up and say enough is enough. They should not stick up for a player who is hurting someone every time we turn around. Ruutu was lucky that he wasn’t hurt, just like Hollweg was lucky, but who’s to say that the next player to cross Simon’s path will be as lucky? And should something horrible happen again, and someone REALLY gets hurt, the NHL and the NHLPA will have no one to blame but themselves for letting this guy continue to play.

  4. Matt Bodenschatz

    Dec 16, 04:06 PM

    I agree completely with the notion that Simon deserves 25+ for this. To be honest, I’d be perfectly fine with a lifetime ban. This is the second time in less than a year that this piece of crap has intentionally tried to hurt someone — and both weren’t weak attempts, either. He obviously doesn’t get the concept of playing rough, but playing clean. He also has no concerns about the end results and the well-being of his opponents.

    Chris Simon is a disgrace to hockey and a very good example of the type of player giving the NHL a bad name. The sooner he isn’t playing hockey, the better the NHL will be.

  5. DaBich

    Dec 16, 06:34 PM

    Well said, Matt. Time and time again Simon shows just how disgusting he truly is. The league MUST step in and PROVE that this kind of crap doesn’t belong iun the NHL. Step up now, Coley!

  6. spiker97

    Dec 16, 10:50 PM

    Simon has had too many chances. It’s time for this to stop. Just throw him out.

    That being said, he’ll probably get 10+ games. Coley knows he has to do something, with Simon being 35 and his playing days kind of numbered as it is, he may tend to administer a lower number, but I would love to see him get the rest of the season for that. There is no room and no need for that. This is a repeat offender who needs to be deal with – and now.

  7. Matt Bodenschatz

    Dec 17, 09:24 AM

    Let’s not forget that, back in the late 90s (I believe) Simon was the one who cross-checked Penguin defenseman Peter Popovic in the neck. I don’t recall whether there was a suspension, but the action was just as vicious as the Hollweg head shot and the Ruutu leg stomp. So, what we’re seeing is a person who truly has no concerns about the well-being of other players.

    Repeat offender should equal lifetime ban regardless of age, status, etc.

  8. Nathan

    Dec 17, 01:08 PM

    I think he NEEDS to be gone for at least the rest of this season. He SHOULD be gone for life.

    I really can’t see a scenario where I think the NHL gets this one wrong.

  9. Matt Bodenschatz

    Dec 17, 02:24 PM

    Nathan, I wish you were right on the NHL, but I’d be very surprised if he gets more than 25 games — and even that seems to be s stretch based on previous suspensions.

  10. Ashley Gallant

    Dec 17, 03:54 PM

    “The New York Islanders and veteran forward Chris Simon have agreed that time away from the team is needed to come to terms with his recent on-ice behavior and potentially, his playing future.”

    That is what’s being reported this afternoon.

    At least the Islanders are being a bit proactive on this, but I hope that this doesn’t give him a lesser sentence from Colin Campbell.

  11. DaBich

    Dec 18, 05:34 AM

    Well, the Islanders could always trade him to Philly LOL!

  12. Matt Bodenschatz

    Dec 18, 08:57 AM

    Sad thing is, I’m not even sure they would want him. Now THAT is saying a lot :)

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