Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Islanders 02/02/11

Penguins 3, Islanders 0 - Final

  If you had the choice, would you choose a shutout or a knockdown?  We all know what Penguins goaltender Brent Johnson chose when playing the New York Islanders.  He was all set for a shutout when he dropped the gloves with fellow goaltender, Rick DiPetro.

  But let's not get ahead of ourselves.  That did not come until seventeen seconds before the end of the game.  The first period held a different kind of excitement for Pittsburgh fans, the kind that comes when goals are scored.  The 'Burgh was lucky to witness two goals in the first.  It was on the power-play when the Pens got their first up on the scoreboard.  A nice wrist shot from Tyler Kennedy was all that was needed.  A few minutes later, the Pens were celebrating their second goal of the night, a back hander off the stick of Chris Kunitz.  This goal also saw Paul Martin's second assist of the night so far.  The first period also saw the likes of Mike Rupp, Konopka and Schremp gracing the penalty boxes, each with two minutes for Roughing.

 Although no goals were scored the excitement of the first was carried in to the second, in the form of penalties.  At 2.37 in the second, Pens' and Islanders' fans alike got their first taste of blood, with Mike Rupp and Konopka bashing heads.  There were also a few other minor penalties throughout the second twenty minutes but nothing of great importance.

  And then to the third we go' this period had it all!  Goals, penalties and fights.  The first nineteen minutes were nail-biting for Pitt fans, as they watched with baited breath to see if the boys could defend their two-goal lead.  But they need worry not.  Although he isn't the Penguins' starting goaltender, Brent Johnson was immovable between the pipes.  Defending shot after shot, Johnson was rewarded for his hard work when Max Talbot, with the help of Craig Adams, scored an empty-netter, bringing the score up to 3-0.  Everyone thought it was over.

 Silly us.  With just under twenty seconds remaining in the game, Johnson and DiPetro decided they wanted to dance.  The dropping of the gloves was in response to a hit on forward Matt Cooke, which was completely unnecessary.  With the goaltenders fighting, and everyone else pushing and shoving, it was an interesting last twenty seconds.