While Sidney Crosby stole the show against the Canadiens on Wednesday night, another guy was able to finally silence the critics...at least for the time being.
Chris Kunitz scored on a breakaway with the game well in-hand last night, beating Carey Price between the legs.
You could see the relief on his face when he saw it go in. What I liked about his reaction was how he still managed to keep his emotions in check.
You just know he wanted to throw his arms up and yell out, but he didn't. He just raised his stick as he skated on by the net.
In the grand scheme of things, even being mired in one of the longest draughts of his career, he still put the team and honor of the game first.
When your team has a big enough lead like that, there's no need for any grand celebrations unless it's a milestone goal or if you're playing the Flyers.
Nothing bugs me more in sports than to see overzealous celebrations in a blowout. The one that jumps out most in my mind is New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter jumping out of the dugout during the 2004 ALCS Game 3 in Boston.
The game ended 19-8 Yankees.
As the lead grew to an unattainable number for Boston, there's Jeter jumping out of the dugout with his fist pumping and screaming his lungs out like he just won the World Series.
Of course, Boston then goes on to win four straight and pull off the greatest comeback in baseball history. In greatest sports memories of my time, seeing the Sox pull that off while living in the New York area and go on to win the World Series for the first time in nearly a century ranks second behind the Pens winning last year.
How'd all that senseless celebrating work out for you Jeter?
Side note: I know I'll catch a lot of heat for this from Pittsburghers, but I'm pulling for the Phillies in the World Series. The great people I bowl with all looked at me like I was nuts when I told them I wanted Philly to win it. Let me just explain that growing up outside of Boston, I was born to hate the Yankees. My parents would have disowned me if I even remotely entertained the thought of rooting for pinstripes.
I understand the rivalry between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, but in a World Series that I'd prefer watching paint dry to watching the games...go Phillies!
Anyway, there was some concern about how the Pens would fare without having both Sergei Gonchar and Tyler Kennedy in the lineup. Team still looked pretty good didn't they?
I was out at my weekly bowling league, but was able to watch the entire game between throws. The best part of the night was being around actual Pens fans to watch a game. For too long I've been on an island of sorts watching the team. Being out here among Pens fans makes this new city feel even more like home.
If last night's win showed us anything, it's that the Pens have so much depth and skill that they stand to have a good chance of winning any time they step on the ice.
They are solid from top to bottom and when someone needs to fill in for an injured player, the team barely seems to skip a beat.
That speaks volumes of what General Manager Ray Shero and Dan Bylsma have been able to do with this team in their short time here.
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