Pittsburgh Penguins vs Los Angeles Kings 10/02/11

Penguins 2, Kings 1 - OT Final

  Three goals, two fights and an overtime win; that’s what you would have got if you ventured down to the CONSOL Energy Center last night.  Just proves that even without our two main forwards, the Penguins can still pull out the wins.

  The first period was the goal period.  Both regulation goals were scored in the first twenty minutes, although only one came of a ‘burgh stick.  At 6.53 in the first, Brett Sterling – a call-up from the Baby Pens of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton - let loose a wicked snap shot.  Putting us ahead with the help of teammates, on the Pens and the Baby Pens, Dustin Jeffery and Nick Johnson, Sterling showed that he was definitely worth the call.  However, just over ten minutes later, the noise of the CONSOL was quietened only slightly by the equalizing goal, from Kings’ forward Jarret Stoll.

  Although the regulation goals had come and gone, the second period did not disappoint.  To follow up from Sterling’s snap shot, at 7.38 Deryk Engelland also let loose… with his fists.  It turns out Kevin Westgarth rubbed our defensemen up the wrong way, and came out worse for wears.  But the Baby Pens weren’t going to let the Pens have all the fun.  At 13.12 in the second, Ryan Craig dropped the gloves with Wayne Simmonds, proving that even the call-ups could tough it in the rough world that is the NHL.

  Now I bet you’re thinking, what could the third period have that could top the first forty minutes?  A hat-trick?  An all-out brawl?  Maybe even a goalie fight?  But unfortunately not… no goals, no major penalties, just some wicked shots from both teams.  Although the Kings were out shooting them, the Pens weren’t going down without a fight, managing to hold on until the end of regulation.

  Even with blood, sweat and tears –from the Kings- the Pens just couldn’t capitalize on any chances they got.  But instead of giving up, they continued to fight.  And, in the end, their fighting paid off.  At 4.41, after just coming back from an injury that has had him out for the first half of the season, forward Jordan Staal shot the puck at the net and scored his fourth goal of the season, with the help of number nine, Pascal Dupuis.

  Looks like that even without captain Sidney Crosby, or alternate Evgeni Malkin, the Pens just keep winning…. With the help of those precious Baby Pens of course!