Penguins Win Opener In Thriller, 5-4
Pens Take Early Lead In Eastern Conference Semi-Final
POSTED: 7:03 pm EDT April 25,
2008
UPDATED: 9:38 pm EDT April 25,
2008
PITTSBURGH -- Rabid fans inside and outside of Mellon Arena cheered on the Penguins Friday night as they started the Eastern Conference Semi-Final best of seven series with the New York Rangers.The Rangers were the first to score.After killing two Penguins power plays, the Rangers got a power play goal with a little more than six minutes left in the first period.Martin Straka put one in on Marc-Andre Fleury, and the Rangers led 1-0. Former Penguin Jaromir Jagr assisted on the goal.In the second period, Chris Drury scored on Fleury. The officials reviewed the call as a potential high stick, but the goal stood and the Rangers led 2-0.Things got ugly quickly after that, as Sean Avery got a shot past Fleury to give the Rangers a 3-0 lead.The Penguins fired back in rapid fashion on the Rangers, scoring two goals just 14 seconds apart. Jarkko Ruutu knocked a shot in off of a Rangers player.14 seconds later, Pascal Dupuis took a Sidney Crosby pass and put it in the net to cut the Rangers' lead to 3-2.In the third period, the Penguins quickly tied the game, and pulled ahead.The Pens scored two goals in the first five minutes.First, Marian Hossa connected to tie up the game.Just 20 seconds later, Petr Sykora scored to give the fired up fans something to cheer for, a 4-3 lead in the third.The Rangers responded, with Scott Gomez scoring a goal to tie the game at 4. Jaromir Jagr got the assist.Then with 1:41 left, and the Penguins on a power play, Sidney Crosby fired in the game winning goal.
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