Saturday, February 23, 2008

2007-08 Regular Season, Game 62

Senators 4, Penguins 3 (OT)

PRESIDENT’S 2 CENTS: For the first 30 minutes, it appeared as if Ottawa would force the Pennsylvania legislature to rename the Penguins’ hometown “Armpits-burgh” for the way the Senators were stinking out the joint. But the captain completed the comeback with under five ticks to go, for game-winner number five on the season. Of course, Ryan Malone nearly stole the show with a two-post ringer moments before. Still, it was probably significant that Ray Emery stole it right back with huge stops on the white-hot Evgeni Malkin (as he did all afternoon) and on offensively-gifted D-man Sergei Gonchar (a gorgeous glove grab). Evgeni’s 10-game point streak was snapped, Heater got back into the swing of things, and the Sens hang onto top spot …

… Top spot is probably something of a pride factor that played into the win, after the Sens allowed Malkin and co. to run roughshod over them for half the game. Plain and simple, the comeback showed character and will likely carry some momentum into the Battle of Ontario …

... The game basically seemed like a rehearsal for a low-budget Jekyll-and-Hyde thriller until the Sens hit rock-bottom in the second, when the Pens went up 3-0 after another darn neutral-zone turnover allowed Malkin and Jordan Staal to waltz in two-on-nada (their puck control and pressure were uncanny). Worst part? Only Mike Fisher had roared back to try and stop the trailer, Jeff Taffe, who scored after Razor stopped the initial assault … Speaking of assault, when the Sens decide to get down to business, that’s what happened. The Soccer Goal (see below) helped ignite things. As insinuated by Cassie Campbell, the Cash Line woke up. Jason Spezza’s deceptively long strides helped set up the second Heater goal of the afternoon. Of course, those strides are only part of the reason that his Scotiabank Place goal song is “I Like the Way You Move.”

… Razor was sharp again this afternoon. He was weak again on the second goal, scored by Colby “the witch” Armstrong, but it was was the result of (sigh) another Sens neutral zone turnover. The aforementioned saves in overtime cemented his well-deserved second star on the afternoon, which included a whitewash of the Pens in the third to give his team a chance to come back. He stopped all seven of Malkin’s shots, halting the NHL’s scoring leader’s 10-game point streak. He’s athletic, confident, and has that swagger which nearly backstopped the team to a Cup. Say what you want about Paddock’s handling of the goalie situation, but it appears as if he’s giving Razor the chance to run with it …

… Christoph Schubert was one of a few Sens that stood out for the entire game—albeit subtlely—not just in the second half either. A simple hustle play in the second period helped cause pressure, leading to a good Luke Richardson chance. Another play in the third caused him to take a penalty, but instead of being gun shy, Christoph got thrown to the ice while charging hard into the Pens’ zone to keep the intensity of the comeback on. A solid effort from the German, helping to cover for Chris Neil’s toughness in his absence …

FUNNY STUFF: Still no 2 Cents this year covering a Bob Cole-manned CBC game! In lieu, we award the Line of the Night to play-by-play man Mark Lee: “He’s one of the nicest bad guys I’ve ever met,” he said, after a clip showing Pens tough guy Georges Laraque playing some floor hockey with a Pittsburgh-area Boys and Girls’ Club. True. Still, part of you was just waiting for him to start picking a fight with one of those kids … We’ve said it before in 2 Cents, but Mellon Arena’s longtime PA man, John Barbaro, still sounds way too happy when announcing a Pens penalty or opposing team’s goal … With 2:26 remaining in the first, about $226 worth of composite lumber shattered when the puck from Wade Redden’s shot hit Jarkko Ruutu’s stick. One of only 10 players left in the league using old-school wood sticks, no doubt the Spezz Dispenser gets his giggles every time someone else breaks one … The French soccer team has probably found its perfect talent. A stickless Antoine Vermette’s nifty little kick towards the net helped set up Cory Stillman’s goal off a Chris Kelly rebound. And no headbutting either … Three separate CBC camera shots showed Evgeni Malkin’s parents taking in the game. The second showed his mother zoomed in; Evgeni definitely has his mother’s nose. The third one showed Mr. Malkin enjoying some fine American cuisine, in the form of some Mellon Arena nachos …

… Scary Stat of the Night: Ottawa’s power play, which is 1/19 in its last seven games, including this one. Maybe some iron pills, and not iron pumping, is the answer … Interesting Stat Line of the Night: the Pens were a combined minus-9, while the Sens were a plus-9. If the comeback didn’t happen, it probably would have been almost otherwise … The Vermette-Kelly-Stillman line is still hot, despite the Cash Line waking up. It needs a name, though. “Vermestilly” was suggested on the Sens Army message board. It’s catchy … Last but not least: speaking of the Sens Army message board, you can join up and check it out at www.ottawasenators.com . Yours truly is a moderator under the name “ggroove” and would truly enjoy having you a-board (sorry, at least one pun per 2 Cents), along with the rest of the members, who have a ton of fun.



SENS ARMY MESSAGE BOARD: http://www.ottawasenators.com/