Monday Igloo Update

Yinzers,

There was but one game since our Thursday Igloo Update and it was Saturday afternoon at 1:00 pm...a great day for hockey. The Atlanta Thrashers were in town, trying to make a push into the playoffs. Since they have locked up a playoff spot, the Penguins need as many points as possible in the remaining games in order to boost their standings. The Pens pulled out a 4-3 win in this one, but the biggest hurdle was breaking through the wall that was Johan "the Moose" Hedberg. The former Penguin shined during the duration of the game, making flashy and unbelievable saves, much like he did when he was wearing the black and gold.

The first period had two major highlights. Scoring was opened up by Maxim Afinogenov on a well-executed give-and-go with Niclas Bergfors as Afinogenov jetted passed the Penguins defense. He was left with a wide-open cage to Marc-Andre Fleury's right and simply tapped it in. The other highlight of the first period was a fight between Billy "Big Bear" Guerin and Jim Slater. Slater opened up by landing a pair of right crosses to the iron chin of Big Bear, but once BG got Slater's helmet off, the hay-maker upper cuts followed. It looked like a scene out of the Mighty Ducks 2 with Big Bear pounding the bent-over Slater with upper cuts to the chin. Don't mess with the gray beard.

Evgeni Malkin and Sergei Gonchar were back in the lineup on Saturday and it showed. Malkin got his 25th of the season with a power play goal at 12:05 in the second period. The Thrashers did answer off the stick of Tim Stapleton on the power play, giving the Thrashers a 2-1 advantage through two periods.

At 3:27 in the third period, Tyler Kennedy tied it up for the Penguins with his 12th of the season. Rich Peverley answered for the Thrashers just under a minute later, taking back a 3-2 lead. The bulk of the period was played from behind for the Penguins, mostly due to the efforts of the Moose. Hedberg was standing on his head, doing his best to keep his team on top late in the game. To no avail, however. Sergei Gonchar came up with a clutch goal on the power play with 1:14 left in the game. It was the second power play goal for the Penguins, whose power play was struggling to say the least without him and Evgeni Malkin. This one was headed to overtime tied at 3.

The big goal in overtime came from a player who really deserved it. Jordan Leopold got his first goal as a Penguin with an assist from Sidney Crosby. This author was extremely pleased to see Leo get his first goal in the black and gold. The man works hard day-in and day-out and it just seems like all he needed was a good bounce. From here on out, look for more pucks to be in the net thanks to Leo.

The Pens' next game is Tuesday night at 7:30 pm. It will be a hockey night in Pittsburgh as the Washington Capitals come to town. These match ups are always the most entertaining, so getcha popcorn ready.

Lets go Pens,
B Brog