Pens-Flyers Becomes the Expected

The Flyers staved off elimination by beating the Penguins earlier tonight, 4-2.

Philly jumped out early and it looked like a potential rout, but the game settled down score-wise in the second period.

By the third the Penguins were starting to mount a comeback. Jordan Staal scored twice to bring the Pens within a goal of tying up the game with a little under six minutes left. Things were tense in Philly until Joffrey Lupul scored an empty-netter with 33 seconds to go.

The game was hard-fought and chippy throughout. With 23 seconds left Scottie Upshall went flying into Staal behind the Flyers’ net. Ryan Malone grabbed Upshall, throwing immediately. A scrum ensued and Derian Hatcher wound up dropping the gloves and taking on Malone.

Things weren’t completely done after that. Just 8 seconds later Mike Richards had a few choice words for Sidney Crosby and there was a bit of a scuffle post-faceoff.

Some hockey for you

There’s no NHL game Friday, but the Worlds semi-finals games are being played:
Canada at Sweden 5:00 PM
Russia at Finland 1:00 PM

US residents can watch the game over at WCSN.
Canada can watch it over on TSN

Videos added

Ryan Malone vs Derian Hatcher May 15, 2008
Georges Laraque vs Darcy Hordichuk Nov 8, 2005
Brad May vs Georges Laraque Oct 21, 2005
Brad May vs Georges Laraque Dec 20, 2003

Some reads

‘75 Islanders a role model
Laraque’s role no small one in Penguins’ impressive playoff run
Fitter Georges Laraque making key contribution to Penguins’ success
Kennedy set tone with fight
Americans satisfied after goal judge gets fired for mistaken goal
Chuck Kobasew looks forward to Bruins’ future
Crowded conditions await Dallas Stars’ Turco
A keister in the crease?
Heaney, James, Granato inducted as first women in IIHF Hall of Fame
Canada moves on; U.S. done
Sharks’ coaching search begins
Canucks hire former Thrasher Mellanby as consultant