Penguins Win Game Three, 3-2

Sid the Kid scores the first of his two goals.

You're frakkin' lucky!

PITTSBURGH – If the Pittsburgh Penguins climb back into this series – it’s going to take another win Saturday in Game 4 for that to be reality – point to the 14:25 mark of the opening period during Wednesday’s 3-2 victory in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals.

Detroit forward Pavel Datsyuk, playing as well without the puck as when he has it, had just blocked a shot in the netting behind the Red Wings’ goal to stop the action and invite a television timeout.

That’s when Pittsburgh coach Michel Therrien made his best decision of this series. It was a better decision than changing lines between Games 1 and 2, and a far better one than to publicly accuse Detroit of employing obstruction as a defensive strategy.

Therrien tapped Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Marian Hossa, the best offensive players on a bench full of splendidly-skilled skaters and said, ‘Go get ‘em.’ The Penguins, desperate for any offense after a frustrating start to the series, were getting outshot 7-1 in their first game at home against the Red Wings. All they had to show for a “desperate start” was Ryan Malone’s shot 1:58 into Game 3.

It was time for Pittsburgh’s best players to be its best players. And they were. The forward trio, working against Detroit’s line of Dallas Drake-Kris Draper-Daniel Cleary engineered a sustained attack in the visitors’ end. They were good on the walls, in the corners and behind the net. They kept pucks in and kept the puck away from the Wings. They put a couple shots on goal.

And they changed the momentum of the game, maybe the series. (H/T - Yahoo!)

There's still a great chance that the Red Wings will win this series, but it was nice to see the real Pens finally show up. Sid the Kid was awesome tonight. Let's hope that continues.

On a completely unrelated note, my hockey team had a game last night, and yours truly scored his fourth goal of the season. It was a backhand swat that went through Vinnie Antonelli's legs, and past the opposing goaltender for the score. Unfortunately, it was all for naught, as we gave up five unanswered goals in the second and third periods to take a 7-3 loss. Damn.

I'm usually not one for tooting my own horn - especially since I missed a great opportunity in the second period to score my second goal - but since I have dropped the weight I have been paying very well. It's nice to skate a shift of a minute and a half and not be on the verge of vomiting.

Weight Loss competitors take note: I'm winning this damned thing. Y'all might as well send me your $10 donations now! Heh.