Blog : IPF's Game 3 Observations and Summary Vs Maple Leafs

In the first period, the Penguins looked sharp, getting 12 shots on goal compared to Toronto's 7. Deryk Engelland fought Colton Orr about five minutes into the game. It was a great fight, very even, and very long. The Penguins seemed to control the tempo of the game in the first. Right before the end of the period, the Penguins went on the power play, and Evgeni Malkin (1) ended up netting a goal with assists by Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang.
Toronto came out stronger in the 2nd period, scoring 2 goals in the first 6 minutes of the period. The first came off the stick of Clarke MacArthur, and the second from James van Riemsdyk. Less than a minute after, the Penguins answered the bell. A long stretch pass to Sidney Crosby came and Crosby (1) buried a bobbling puck behind goaltender Reimer. The score was notched. After that, the Penguins were called for penalty after penalty after penalty, resulting in lots of time on the power play for Toronto, including 5 on 3 time. The Pens penalty kill stood strong and didn't allow a goal. But shortly after, James van Riemsdyk scored his second goal of the evening, giving the Maple Leafs a 1 goal advantage going into the third.
In the 3rd, right as the puck was dropped, you could tell that Toronto carried all the momentum. They were flying fast and hitting hard, as well as having some help from the refs. Early into the third, Mikhail Grabovski scored another goal to make the score 4-2. At that point, Kris Letang and Paul Martin were on the ice playing defense together. My question is why? Orpik was paired with Martin, and Letang with Niskanan. The players weren't used to playing with each other recently, and that resulted in a mistake by Letang that lead to the goal. The Maple Leafs ended up scoring another late goal on a 5 on 3 to make the score a final 5-2.
My question is, Chris Kunitz boarding call in the 3rd, was it? And the Maple Leafs got away with a boarding call a few minutes before that ( who it was escapes me). Toronto also got away with a too many men on the ice call, while the Penguins were called on it later, and it was VERY close. Toronto also got away with a tripping call in the third, and an obvious one at that. I'm not saying that's why we played poorly, but the officiating wasn't very consistent tonight, just from my observations.
My 3 Stars of the Game
3rd Star- Evgeni Malkin ( 1 Goal )
2nd Star- Sidney Crosby ( 1 Goal, 1 Assist)
1st Star- James van Reimsdyk ( 2 Goals, 1 Assist)
Next Game: Friday January 25th, 8:30 @ Winnipeg Jets.