Friday, October 19, 2007

10/19/07: Game Six: Penguins 4 - Hurricanes 3 SO

The Penguins pulled out the tough shootout victory tonight at home against the Carolina Hurricanes. Dany Sabourin played well between the pipes, getting the start thanks to the back-to-back games on Pittsburgh's schedule. Marc-Andre Fleury should get the start tomorrow evening against the Washington Capitals.

Petr Sykora continued his inspired play, picking up two hard working goals, both of them in the slot off of a rebound. Adam Hall also picked up a goal, his first as a Penguin, putting a Jarko Ruutu rebound past Cam Ward.

Both Mark Recchi and Ryan Malone had great games. Recchi was skating hard up and down the ice and picked up an assist on the first Sykora goal. Malone was held of the scoreboard, but his fight with Mike Commodore seemed to be a huge momentum turner.

Erik Christensen, Petr Sykora, and Sidney Crosby scored on the shootout, and Sabourin made the big save against Ray Whitney to preserve the win.

Sabourin let the first shot of the game, what appeared to be a harmless wrist shot, no-screen, no deflection, beat him. But he settled down and make some big saves. In the second he allowed a goal after staying down on the ice after blocking a shot, allowing Trevor Letowski to lift it into the net. Overall he has some work to do, but he pulled out the win against a dangerous Carolina squad.

Ruutu picked another 4 penalty minutes tonight, on a hook and a trip. If he wants a chance at keeping his spot once Georges Laraque returns, he is going to have to play more disciplined.

The Penguins hit the ice again tomorrow against the Capitals in the ever popular Crosby-Ovechkin match-up at 7:30.

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