Let the Games Begin

The games are now on! The Pittsburgh Penguins escaped Game 1 against the gritty Carolina Hurricanes by a score of 3-2. If not for some outstanding goaltending by Marc-Andre Fleury, the outcome of this game could have been quite different. Pittsburgh struck twice in the 1st period in a span of 1:24 on goals by Miroslav Satan and Evgeni Malkin. Satan’s goal was on a breakaway after serving a penalty for holding. What were the Cane’s thinking as the PP was winding down? They did not keep check of the time left on the penalty… big mistake! Malkin then fired a screened backhand past Cam Ward to give the Pens the early 2-0 lead. At this point in time, I thought this game was going to be a blowout. The game most definitely would have been a blowout if it wasn’t for Cam Ward’s save on Billy Guerin early in the 2nd period. Fortunately for Carolina, the Hurricanes were able to re-group and really outplay Pittsburgh for the majority of the game that remained.

The Hurricanes finally struck gold on a goal by Chad LaRose making the score 2-1. LaRose was able to outwait Fleury on a situation where it appeared there was one too many passes going on (Carolina had many of these throughout the contest). Now, heading into the 3rd period things were starting to look better for the Canes. Unfortunately, about midway through the 3rd period, Matt Cullen took a delay of game penalty in which the Pens capitalized on. Philippe Boucher took a Sidney Crosby pass and squeaked one through Ward to give the Pens a crucial 3-1 lead. Still, the game wasn’t over yet. Late in the game with Carolina on the PP (thanks to Brooks Orpik’s elbowing penalty) Joe Corvo was able to blast one by Fleury - who got a piece of it, just not enough. These turn of events helped set up a very wild ending. The Hurricanes still had their goalie pulled for the extra attacker down by a goal and had really 2 or 3 great chances to score the equalizer. Eric Staal had the best shot at tying the game, but unfortunately the puck jumped off his stick blade right back into Marc-Andre Fleury. The net was wide open! This series is looking like it’ll be a good one. How long it will go? I can’t say. Pittsburgh had their chances to bury the Hurricanes, but in typical 08-09 Hurricanes fashion - they came storming back. This was a good one to watch, but I believe the best is yet to come.

Now, onto the Western Conference Finals. Detroit sure took Chicago down in workman-like fashion by a score of 5-2. Even after giving up the 1st goal to Adam Burish early in the 1st period, the Red Wings really were never threatened by the young Hawks. I thought that early in the 3rd period when the Hawks tied the game at 2 on a PP goal by Kris Versteeg… that maybe, just maybe the Blackhawks had something going. Unfrotunately for them, it was not to be as Detroit answered the Blackhawks push at every level. Dan Cleary was the star of this game with 2 goals (Although Khabibulin should have had the first one) and the veteran team was too much for the Hawks to handle in the end. Hey, even Osgood played great when he was needed. The Wings outshot the Hawks 42-32 overall and there was no question in my eyes who was the boss in Game 1. Chicago had better tighten their game up if they want to make this a series. Detroit is too good (and that hurts for me to say) for Chicago to play wild and reckless hockey. The Wings really feast on that style of play. We will have to see what new strategy that coach Joel Quennville will come up with for Game 2 and beyond. The Hawks are down, but not out! Over and out!

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