Monday, April 20, 2009

They Came To Play: Flyers 6 PENS 3... Pens lead series 2-1

It was a game the Flyers HAD to win. After such a deflating OT loss two days ago, they were a desperate team, and in the playoffs, no team is more dangerous than a desperate one. The Penguins had their chance, but Philadelphia just capitalized on many mistakes.

The thought of recapping the entire game of a Penguin loss just makes me sick so I'm going to do it in a nutshell. The first period had the Pens getting the first real scoring chance of the game, but didn't capitalize, then the Flyers came out firing... Jeff Carter and Mike Richards quickly made it 2-0. However, before the end of the period, Dan Bylsma puts Max Talbot, Ruslan Fedotenko and Evgeni Malkin on a line and capitalize... 2-1 End Of 1

A few seconds into the 2nd period, the sound of doubt came over the Wachovia Center as Rob Scuderi of the Pens scored to tie the game. It should've been a momentum swinging goal, but Philadelphia showed some resiliency and Claude Giroux scores on a pretty pass that just left Marc-Andre Fleury horribly out of position. Then the backbreaker, the Pens shorthanded and too cute with the puck and Philly scores shorthanded. Ouch. 4-2 End of 2.

The nail was placed on Pittsburgh early as the fourth line struck for Philly. Brooks Orpik gets a stick in the face and bleeds. Geno puts the game closer with a power play goal, but Simon Gagne's empty netter seals it for Philly 6-3.

Horrendous game for Pittsburgh. However, amidst all the mistakes they made, they still had a shot to win this game. Game 4 is now an important "SWING" game. Philly wins, its a best of 3. Pittsburgh wins, plug will be pulled on Thursday.



Still at 14.