Pittsburgh Penguins dismantle the Ottawa Senators at Kraft Hockeyville
Photo credit: Gene J. Puskar/AP
The Pittsburgh Penguins faced off against the Ottawa Senators in last night's Hockeyville showdown as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin delivered a night to remember.
«When he comes to Canada, it's like the Beatles, you know?»
When speaking about the effect Sidney Crosby had on the spectators at this year's Kraft Hockeyville game in northern Ontario, Mike Sullivan couldn't help but smile. In a preseason game hosted by the town of Elliot Lake on Sunday night at Sudbury Community Arena, the Penguins defeated the Ottawa Senators, 5-2.
«I think it's so impressive to watch him interact with kids when he comes to these environments,» said the head coach about his captain, who walked a red carpet into the rink for morning skate along with his teammates, taking photos and signing autographs. Crosby then spent time chatting with kids on the bench for a Q&A during the session.
«He understands the influence that he can have and what it means to kids in environments like this, and he takes the time to make sure that he gives his time to all of these opportunities he just represents everything that's right about hockey,» Sullivan said.
«He understands the influence that he can have and what it means to kids in environments like this, and he takes the time to make sure that he gives his time to all of these opportunities he just represents everything that's right about hockey,» Sullivan said.
The majority of Pittsburgh's players made their preseason debuts, so in addition to the unique atmosphere, they were all anticipating their first real game action in months. Things were competitive and chippy, with Ottawa fielding a strong roster as well.
Understandably, the Penguins got off to a slow start, and after rerouting a feed from Kris Letang, Crosby made sure they were down just one goal at the first intermission.
In the second period, Malkin tied the score with a clumsy power play goal that had eyes on it once it left his stick. They'll take them any way they can, given Pittsburgh's difficulties with the power play in the previous season. Late in the second, he scored a clever backhand goal to put the Penguins ahead.
Crosby converted on the power play in the last frame as well. This feed originated from another longtime teammate, Rust, and the goal was similar to his first. Crosby redirected the pass in from the side of the net after going down on one knee in the same spot.
Malkin's empty-net goal sealed the victory with a beautiful 5-2 final score.
"So Evgeni Malkin and Crosby have combined for all 5 tonight"
«I think it's something to build on. Certainly should give them a boost of confidence,» Sullivan said. «It should provide some affirmation that if we have the right intentions out there and we execute, we're going to have a good power play, because we have real good players. So, I was happy for all of them. I thought they played pretty well.»
Brady Tkachuk wasn't too happy about the turn of events during the game, chirping off the Penguins from the bench.
The Penguins play their makeup preseason game in Detroit on Monday, replacing the one that was originally slated for Saturday but had to be postponed due to travel complications.
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