HEATHER WAMPLER – OVATHLETICS.COM
The Pens met with the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night for a big loss in game five. Despite losing, that had to be one of the most amazing games I have ever seen. I was nervous when my husband met me at the door after one of my nightly runs on Tuesday. At first I thought something had happened to our kids but the smile that crept across his face made me think it was something good. Then he handed me the papers. They were two tickets to game five, my first ever playoff game. I was hoping they would’ve closed out the series but, either way, I am so glad we went.
The excitement in the air, being that close to the ice is an amazing feeling. I haven’t been to many games in person, having kids and all makes that difficult but when I do get to go, I’m in awe. If you have never been to a Pens hockey game I highly recommend you go. If you can make it to one of the playoff games, go. If not, I’m sorry you missed out on the historic Mellon Arena.
The Pens played without forward Tyler Kennedy due to a lower body injury, Ruslan Fedotenko took his place and defenseman Jordan Leopold who is still out after the hit he received from Sens defenseman Andy Sutton.
Sens left winger Jarko Ruutu has been exceptionally aggressive during this series. His first penalty came at 1:24 for roughing up Pens captain Sidney Crosby. Even though the power play has been awesome they were unable to do much of anything. Even though the first half of the game was spent skating up and down the ice it was thrilling. The refs were definitely wearing their blinders. Not only during the first period but through all 5 ½. The Pens gave up the first goal when center Mike Rupp was off to the box at 10:00 for roughing after a small skirmish in front of the Sens net. 10:25 in the Sens were able to capitalize on Rupp’s mistake. Center Mike Fisher was able to tip-in defenseman Erik Karlsson’s shot over Pens goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. Center Jason Spezza received the second assist. The Sens were able to increase their lead to 2-0 at 11:33 when Ruutu wristed a pass from left winger Nick Foligno into the net. Center Chris Kelly received the second assist. The Pens got a break at 17:51 when defenseman Chris Phillips is off to the box for cross checking. Defenseman Kris Letang and right winger Billy Guerin attempted a one-timer but Sens goaltender Pascal Leclaire was able to block it. The puck then drifted to Letang who snapped it in cutting the Sens lead. Center Evgeni Malkin received the second assist. Phillips found himself right back in the box for a spillover penalty at 19:49 for tripping Pens center Jordan Staal. The Pens outshot the Sens 10-9.
The Pens headed into the second period with a 1:49 power play. The power play unit was unable to score and they were now 1-3 on the power play. Shortly after left winger Pascal Dupuis was in the sin bin for interference at 3:10. Luckily the penalty killers were able to hold back the Sens. Most of the period was spent battling for the puck and getting shots off. Fleury and Leclaire definitely showed up for the game. A big sigh of relief came at 18:34 when the Pens were able to tie up the game. At first the refs waved off the goal. I couldn’t believe it. I was among the boo birds who jumped to our feet, again, and booed at the refs. It was a good five minutes of booing until it was confirmed that left winger Chris Kunitz did in fact get the puck in the net. Captain Crosby and Guerin received the assists. The Pens outshot the Sens 19-5.
With how many power plays the Pens had I would have expected them to be up 5-2 by the third period. Unfortunately Leclaire is a great playoff goalie and was able to prevent the Pens from scoring. 1:54 into the third was no different. Sens defenseman Chris Campoli was sent to the sin bin for slashing at Pens defenseman Jay McKee’s stick. While on the power play defenseman Sergei Gonchar managed to get the puck in the net. I was so thrilled thinking that the Pens had taken the lead. Unfortunately, once again, the goal was waved off. This time without a good outcome. It was said that the puck was tipped in by Kunitz’s high-stick. At 9:01 they did finally manage to gain the lead and by none other than Captain Crosby. He drove to the net and tossed a Malkin rebound in over Leclaire. The Arena erupted into cheers from us crazy fans. Towels were going and oh boy was I shouting. Much to our dismay, at 10:24 the Sens evened up the game again. Sens center Jason Spezza set up center Peter Regin to slap in his third goal of the series. Defenseman Erik Karlsson picked up the second assist. I couldn’t believe it. They were so close to being done with the series. The Sens don’t give up. I’ll give them that. The Pens got a gift at 11:07 when the ever aggressive Ruutu is in the penalty box yet again, this time for elbowing. Pens left winger Alexei Ponikarovsky nullified the power play at 12:44 when he was sent for hooking. Over half way through the Poni penalty Sens Fisher is off to the box for a double minor of high-sticking. One of which is served by center Jesse Winchester. Pens goaltender Fleury is given a roughing minor, served by right winger Craig Adams at 14:14. Center Jordan Staal was the final one in the box at 14:44 for interference on the goalkeeper. What helped with that…a nice shove to Staal’s back which the refs apparently didn’t see. The Pens outshot the Sens 14-8.
And then came OT. In regular season OT is 5 minutes long, 4-on-4 play and then goes to a shootout if needed. That is not how it is in the playoffs. They continue 5-on-5 play with 20 minute increments and no shootout.
Thursday’s game was almost two games long. That’s right, 3 OT’s. I was thrilled. This was the first time the Pens have gone to OT in the playoffs since game 6 against the Washington Capitals last year. The first OT was scoreless, obviously, but was full of penalties. The first came at 10:52 to defenseman Brooks Orpik for delay of game when instead of possibly surrendering the puck to the Sens he sent it into the stands. He got a minor, but I’d have to say that was definitely better then letting them get a goal. Less than two minutes later at 12:28 Spezza is in for cross-checking. The Sens were able to fight off the Pens double headed monster. Letang was the next to go to the sin bin. He was sent for holding at 15:40. There were coincidental penalties at 17:55. Pens Orpik was sent for holding and Sens Foligno is sent for roughing. The Pens were outshot 11-6.
The second period of OT was far less aggressive. You could tell the guys were really starting to get tired and nobody wanted to be the reason the other team won. The refs also quit calling penalties. There were so many that should have been called. A few good shots were thrown at both nets but still no goals. The Pens outshot the Sens 7-6.
Then comes the third period of OT. The game has been going on for 80 minutes. A minute into the third OT Crosby almost won it for the Pens but Leclaire was on top of his game. He must have got his second wind. The game came to a screeching halt at 7:06 when Sens defenseman Matt Carkner fired a shot off of one of the Pens and over Fleury. I still can’t believe it. I sat there just looking at the net. As soon as the scoreboard changed, everyone got up and filed out. I sat there, expecting something. I don’t know what. I felt so much disappointment, maybe because I was there or maybe it was because we now have to go to game six.
Game six will be on Saturday, March, 24 @ 7:00 pm @ Scotia Bank Place.
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