Don’t get me wrong here… I’m not saying that Pittsburgh is looking to make up excuses for their loss. Nor is the Sidney bandwagon trying to justify why he can’t possibly win the Stanley Cup in each of the years his team made it to the second season.(For the record, Gretzky didn’t win the first time he made the post-season either…)But let’s be honest here. How badly could his leg have been broken (fractured? hair-line? you can see it if you really squint?) if he himself, the Penguins organization and everyone under the sun who has a stake in Crosby’s well-being (*cough* RBK *cough*), were ready to risk his future by possibly aggrivating the situation?How far did they expect him to go in the playoffs nursing a serious injury considering the way he consistantly flings himself at the goal posts every third scoring chance? (Odds are I can guess exectly how he broke the darn thing…) Did they expect the competition would get better the deeper they went?It just seems like a bad risk with the future of the franchise. Unless it really isn’t that bad of an injury. ’nuff said.In either case, they are really putting out the message to the World Junior Hockey tournament officials that their brand of hockey is worthless compared to the NHL. Because you know the IIHF guys were betting on Ottawa to kick Sid’s butt out of contention so that they could sell a few more tickets to their event.

Game 5

In dramatic fashion, Ottawa went on the penalty kill for waht seemed like the enitre first period while Emery continued to show why he is the #1 Goalie in the Nation’s Capital.

Game Notes

Alfredsson

What can I say about this guy. He lead all shooters in this series with 6 pts, 3 goals and 3 assists. He is the man. He will show all the mission he is on. (Hint: It ends with a parade.)

Crosby

As much as Crosby is the future of hockey. He has a lot to learn. Murray said that he expects Crosby to carry a lot of poeple to great things, but before that can happen he needs a little more humility. (How quick before Bettman suggests that Sid be an analyst on NBC during the playoffs?)

Roberts

As much as I would have loved Gary on our team this year. It looks like we didn’t need him. He was a factor in this series, and almost the next as well as he nailed Volchenkov with what could have been a very serious injury in the 3rd period. (Anyone else just giggle with delight every time the home crowd started chanting ‘Roberts… Roberts…’. I know you did!)

Grit / Chippiness / Fortitude

Ottawa is proving that they are a team that will not give up. They have been physical in almost every period and even when the game was sealed they continued to fight. The Crosbies took their foot of the pedal at the worst times this series. During the last two games they had opportunity to either seal the deal or take a lead and they couldn’t muster the strength of will to accomplish anything.The game was won in the first period, before the first goal crossed the line behing Fleury, when Ottawa killed of consecutive 2 man advantage penatlies. Pittsburgh never recovered.

The Result

Emery stood up behind his team and they combined to deliver a golden goose egg to their opponents. A well deserved win by everyone on on the team.

Game 4

I need to miss the begining of every game…

Once again I missed the begining of the game. Family dinner, putting the kid to sleep, you know, life happens. But we won! Again!Amazingly we are finding a way to shut down the competition and make for an exciting hockey game.Yes, I found our second period collapse exciting because I didn’t know what was going to happen. Thank goodness we finally managed to pull out a one goal game. (I was very worried in the 3rd as almost everytime we’ve been in a ‘next goal wins’ situation with the Pittsburgh Crosbies this year, we’ve been on the short end of the stick.How we managed to keep Sid off the scoresheet I don’t know, but I guarantee he’ll get at least one goal on Thursday.

Game 5

As for tonight’s potentially series ending game? I’m back in Toronto, the kid goes to bed at 7pm, which means I’ll miss the opening faceoff. Thus we win.You heard it here first.

Game 2

Game 3

Whoops & WooHoo!

I take full responsability for the loss in game 2. As usual during this time of year I found myself driving from Toronto to Ottawa’s Hockey Mecca, Kanata. As has happened each and every game two that I’ve had to listen to on local Ottawa radio up until I arrive in town, we loose.I caught the game from the second period on but I knew it was too late. It’s all my fault.

Meanwhile…

Game three was awesome. Ottawa took it to them and boy did the Penguins look ’shaky’. Of note:

Alfredsson

Can anyone doubt this guy’s heart. He is now averaging over a point a game. The captain is in everybody’s face.Did you see him take the puck, during a penalty kill, into the offensive zone against three defenders, dump it past them and then dump Roberts when he tried to take him down?Shorty!

Gary Roberts

Speaking of the aforementioned Roberts. Doesn’t this guy remember that he is old and decrepid? Gary is proving to be an asset to the Penguins organization. Nice.

Physical Play

Boy is this series getting rough. Everyone is hitting everyone. Crosby is whining about every little bump. I’m loving it.Spezza and roberts going at it was hilarious, especially watching Crosby score and not realizing why he was the only Pen in the offensive zone. (You’re good Kid^™, just not that good.)

Eaves’ Concussion

I know that Armstrong didn’t want to see Eaves hurt. I know that Eaves pulled an Eric Linros coming from behind his goal, but did anyone notice the Penguin (missed his #) who was distracting Eaves by using both hand on his shoulders to guide Eaves body right towards Armstrong’s shoulder? Watch closely and you’ll see Eaves’ direction get corrected a mere half-second before the hit by the nameless man behind him.