Penguins-Rangers: Pittsburgh Blows Two-Goal Lead En Route to Shootout Loss

Wooooo by Senior Writer Written on December 03, 2008
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To try and recap everything that happened in this game would be quite a daunting task. The PensBlog will probably do a solid job at it, so go there for the full recap.

Despite the Pens blowing a two-goal lead, this game was actually one of the better games to watch this season. If you are a casual hockey fan, you were probably ready to shoot yourself, but if not, you probably enjoyed it.

Both teams played a tight-checking game, and the Rangers finished off their checks every chance they got.

 

Recap

The Rags came out pissed off in the first period. They just got shut out by the Florida Panthers, so it was to be expected coming into this game.

The Blueshirts were all over the ice in the first period, finishing off checks like it was their job. Then again, it kind of is.

The Pens held their ground through the onslaught of blue jerseys flying at them from all angles during the first period.

Despite the Rangers trying to inflict carnage on every inch of the ice, the Pens actually carried the play through the first 20 minutes.

The God-ard-father dropped the mitts with Colton Orr just under three minutes into the game. Godard challenged him a few times before Orr accepted, and I think it is safe to say that Orr got the best of the big man in the bout. Godard landed a few big blows, but the underdog Orr was determined to get the win.

Later in the period, Orr started jobbing Sidney Crosby. He slashed at Sid's hands after a face-off, no big deal. He finished a check on Sid, no big deal. After the check, Orr prevented Crosby from getting back on his feet and the two got tangled up once again.

Sid did not take too kindly to this and had some choice words for the Rangers' agitator. The two exchanged slashes, before Brooks Orpik stepped in. Orpik threw a quick shoulder into Orr, then tripped him at center ice.

 

The referees issued a double minor to Orpik, two minutes for tripping, and two for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The Rangers power play hit the ice, but would not get much of a chance to get anything going.

The Rags got caught with like 12 men on the ice (which is seven too many for all you football fans out there) and we got a chance to see some four-on-four hockey.

A Rangers' defensemen forgot he was playing in the National Hockey League and turned the puck over to Crosby at the blue line. Sid flew behind the net, buying time for his teammates to complete a line change.

He whipped the puck toward the front of the net, where Mark Eaton scored his first goal in like six years, and also his first goal as a Penguin. 1-0 Pens.

The tight-checking nature of the game worn on into the second period. The Penguins' third line was unreal as usual, with Matt Cooke and Tyler Kennedy handing out checks like the New York City welfare department.

At 9:35 of the second, Cooke got the puck to Rob Scuderi at the point. Scuderi unleashed the Scud Missile, which was re-directed by Jordan Staal in front of the net.  2-0 Pens.

Just over a minute later, Scott Gomez decided to do something relevant in a game against the Penguins.

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written on December 03, 2008 Game Recap

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