Closing time,
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.
Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby celebrate Malkin's second period goal in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Philadelphia Flyers. (Courtesy of Getty Images.)
And unfortunately for Pens fans, that end came much to soon – although, to be fair, it was a good run while it lasted considering a mere week ago the team was 0 and 3 and faced almost immediate elimination. The Penguins would pull it together enough to bring it to Game 6 but it just wouldn’t be enough as they would fall 5 to 1 to the Philadelphia Flyers, earning an early exit on the journey to the Stanley Cup while gaining a couple more weeks to work on their golf swings.
The Flyers would waste absolutely no time getting down to business, their first goal of the game coming just a mere thirty-two seconds into the game courtesy of Claude Giroux. A minute and a half later, the Penguins would earn their first power play of the afternoon when Danny Briere was called for a highstick. The Penguins would be unable to capitalize, spending a lot of time passing the puck around without getting a lot of quality shots on net. The Penguins would hold the Flyers to within a single shot until well into the period and with 7:20 left in the frame, Matt Cooke would be called for interference, opening up an avenue for the Flyers power play to strike. And strike they would, bringing the game to 2-0 in their favour with a goal courtesy of Scott Hartnell and a diving play. The Penguins would head to the penalty kill with 3:48 left in the first when rookie Simon Despres was called for a trip. Despite some heavy activity in front of Fleury, the Penguins would kill the penalty and heading into the second, would still trail by two. The Flyers would hold the advantage in shots 10 to 9.
The Flyers would add to their tally five minutes into the second, their third goal of the afternoon coming courtesy of Erik Gustafsson and a slap shot that beat Pens net-minder Marc-Andre Fleury on the far side. With 13:04 to go in the middle frame, the Pens would head to the power play and this time they would convert with just twenty-two seconds left. It would be Evgeni Malkin, who drew the call, earning the Penguins their first and only goal when he beat Ilya Bryzgalov with a wrister from the shot. However, whatever momentum the Penguins built from that goal was short-lived as less than thirty-six seconds later, Danny Briere notched the Flyers fourth of the afternoon. The Pens would head to the man advantage before the period expired when Scott Hartnell was called for a trip on Kris Letang, but they would be unable to capitalize this time around. At the end of forty, the Penguins trailed the Flyers 4 -1. Through the second, shots would hold even at 10 a piece.
The Penguins would come up big in the third, killing off a slashing call against Matt Niskanen less than two minutes into the period. They would experience a swing in momentum, and what appeared to be a goal with 3:02 left to go in the period would be called back due to goalie interference. The Penguins would pull Fleury for the extra attacker, however, it would be another Philadelphia rookie, Brayden Schenn, scoring with 7.9 seconds left on the clock for a final of 5 to 1 in favour of Philadelphia.
Kris Letang led all skaters with 31:44 of ice time, followed by Evgeni Malkin with 27:43. Evgeni Malkin led all skaters with 6 shots on goal, followed closely by Matt Niskanen with 5. Marc-Andre Fleury faced 23 shots while the Penguins fired 31 toward Bryzgalov.
Losing sucks. Ending the season so quickly sucks. But, moving forward we have next season to look to. It has been an absolute pleasure to have spent this past season with you. It has been quite a party. Enjoy your summer and I’ll see you all in September.
Whatever it takes, we walk together.
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers make their way through the traditional handshake line. (Courtesy of Getty Images.)
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The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Reid McNeill to a three-year-entry-level contract. The deal will start this upcoming season and will continue through the 2014-15 season. The 20 year-old was drafted in the sixth round by the Penguins in the 2010 NHL Draft. He played with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League this past season tallying 12 points in 51 games. McNeill is listed as 6’3″ weighing 200 pounds. In 2010-11, Scott Harrington, the Penguins’ second round pick last year, was McNeill’s defensive partner. He also took part in prospects camp as well as the Penguins’ rookie tournament the past two years.
The Western Conference Finals have already started as the Los Angeles Kings have a 1-0 series lead over the Phoenix Coyotes. Game 2 of the series will begin tonight at 9:00 PM. The rest of the schedule looks likes this:
-Although the Flyers and Penguins are both out of the playoffs, the competition between the two will continue at least until May 17th. Evgeni Malkin will face Scott Hartnell in the next round of the NHL 13 Cover Vote bracket. You can vote for Malkin by clicking 
