Skip navigation
Site powered by
Latest news:
msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: Youthful progressive seeks to topple Chavez

Penguins keep Cup on ice with 3OT thriller

Wings squander late lead, drop Game 5 on Sykora's early-morning goal

Image: SykoraGetty Images
Pittsburgh's Ryan Whitney, left, and Petr Sykora celebrate after Sykora's triple-overtime power play goal against Detroit on Monday. The Penguins stayed alive with the 4-3 victory, but still trail in the series 3-2. Game 6 is in Pittsburgh on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET, NBC).

The Red Wings outshot the Penguins 13-2 in the first overtime and kept the puck in the Pittsburgh end for most of it. Detroit, however, took the only penalty but killed it off without much difficulty.

Fleury knocked aside Datsyuk’s drive 6½ minutes into overtime and then fought off a rebound try by Valtteri Filppula. Tomas Holmstrom, who returned from a one-game absence caused by an injured hamstring, got the puck while he was alone in the slot only to have his spin-o-rama attempt kept out by the Penguins’ 23-year-old netminder.

Pittsburgh’s best early overtime chance came from Evgeni Malkin, the MVP finalist, who earned the first assist on the winning goal for his first point in the series. Malkin took a pass from Jarkko Ruutu as he came off the bench and fired a drive from the right circle that bounced off Osgood’s arm before he gloved it.

Each team received a power play in the second overtime, and both penalties came in the offensive zone.

Pittsburgh earned its second goalie interference penalty after regulation when Dan Cleary drove hard to the net and bumped Fleury near the right post. The Red Wings failed to get a shot on Fleury after Sykora hooked Niklas Kronwall in front of the Detroit net following a scoring chance.

Fleury remained sharp and made 20 saves through two overtimes. He kept his cool even after losing sight of the puck, which popped over him and landed on top of the net.

With “The Joe” decked out in red and ready to rock, the Penguins drained the juice out of the building in the first.

Hall’s goal was particularly deflating because the puck was shot into the net by Kronwall with 5:19 left in the period.

Detroit seemed poised to end the series on home ice, where the Red Wings outscored the Penguins a combined 7-0 in the first two games of the series.

But just as they did in the Western Conference finals against Dallas, the Presidents’ Trophy winners dropped Game 5 with a chance to wrap things up.

© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


< Prev | 1 | 2

advertisement
More news
Image: Niklas Kronwall, Danny Briere
AP
Wings win 20th straight at home

  The Detroit Red Wings equaled an NHL record with their 20th straight win at home, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 Sunday night on the strength of Johan Franzen's tiebreaking goal early in the third period.

NBC Sports
Highlights: Flyers fall to Red Wings

    Detroit powers past Philadelphia with a 4-3 win

Video
  Penguins net 3OT win
June 2: Highlights of Pittsburgh's Game 5 victory over Detroit in the Stanley Cup finals.
Slideshow
Image: Chicago Blackhawks Marian Hossa of Team Chara celebrates his goal with New York Rangers Marion Gaborik during the NHL All-Star hockey game in Ottawa
  NHL All-Stars
Take a look at the players who competed in Team Chara's 12-9 victory over Team Alfredsson.

more photos

Slideshow
Image: Stanley Cup Finals - Pittsburgh Penguins v Detroit Red Wings - Game Seven
  Sid the Kid
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has gone from phenom to Stanley Cup champion.

more photos

Slideshow
Image: Washington Capitals Ovechkin celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens during Game 5 in Washington
  Alexander the Great
Take a look at Capitals star and two-time MVP Alexander Ovechkin

more photos

Slideshow
Pamela Anderson
  Celebrity fans
Some of Hollywood's hottest celebrities take in NHL games.
Slideshow
Colorado Avalanche v Anaheim Ducks
  Icy Hot
Check out the ice girls from around the National Hockey League.

more photos

Slideshow
Image: Snee, 8, son of New York Giants player Chris Snee and head coach Coughlin's grandson plays in the confetti after the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis
  The Week in Sports Pictures
The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more.

more photos

Slideshow
Image: Wings' Lidstrom lifts the Stanley Cup after his team defeated the Penguins in Game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey final in Pittsburgh
  2008 Stanley Cup finals
Images from Red Wings-Penguins series

more photos

Video
  Review of thriller, preview of Game 6
June 2: Bob Neumeier and Mike Milbury recap Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals and discuss Wednesday's game in Pittsburgh.
Video
  Sykora called his shot
June 2: Pierre McGuire interviews the Penguins' Sergei Gonchar and Petr Sykora, who predicted he'd score the winner in Pittsburgh's 3OT thriller.