Pens lose to the Sharks

Lori Pometo

Scrappy center Tyler Kennedy has been heating up the ice lately.  He's produced 7 goals in just the last 11 games, including a pair last night against the San Jose Sharks.  They turned out to be the only Pittsburgh goals.  He somehow just knows, maybe even a bit more than the rest at the moment, exactly how and when to get to the net, "I know my centermen and my winger throw it to the net and that's where I gotta be."  He's clearly proven that.  He scored the first goal of the night 6 minutes into the first period.  It was a much needed confidence boost for the Pens who failed to score in their last game against the Capitols. 

 

Yet again, another Penguin has been added to the injury list. Late in the first, Brooks Orpik's hand was hit with the puck as he blocked a shot.  He left the ice and didn't return.  It will be 4-6 weeks recovery time for a broken finger.  This left another hole in the defense last night with Paul Martin already out who is, luckily said to be back on the ice shortly.  The remaining five defensemen, which included new Pen Matt Niskanen had to pick up the slack, all gaining more playing time than usual. 

 

San Jose tied the game in the second period during their power play.  They struck again and took the lead in the third, making it 2-1.

 

It looked as if the game might stay there.  Despite an aggressive Penguins team and the new fresh force of forward James Neal, the Sharks wouldn't break.  At one point, Letang lost his stick and dove for the puck that headed straight toward the empty net.  The puck managed to miss the goal and our hearts began beating again.  The Pens got the puck back.  Staal made a shot near the net and Tyler Kennedy made sure it went in, with only 50 seconds left in the game!  He got his second goal of the night and secured another point for Pittsburgh.  The game was tied, 2-2.  Overtime ensued.

 

Five minutes on the clock and the Pens were bursting with intensity.  They managed to keep the puck out of their own zone for quite a while, until the puck was turned over andPatrick Marleau got ahold of it and made his way to the net.  Fleury made the save of the night right there.  Phew!  With a little over a minute to go, it seemed very likely the game would end with a shootout.  It was an all out battle at the net as the clock ticked on.  Fleury dove to block the last shot of the night by Marleau.  With only 4 seconds left in overtime, the Sharks chomped up the Penguins, ending the game 3-2. 

 

I think Deryk Engelland said it all when he slumped his shoulders in defeat simultaneously as the puck went to the back of the net.