Game 7: 2nd Period

by Pat Hunley

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9:03 - Thoughts on commercials during intermission:

1. There's a crapload of horrible shows on during the summer. I hope the networks don't actually expect people to watch them.

2. That Gatorade commercial is pretty cool.

9:06 - Just ate 7/8 of a medium pizza during the intermission. I might invent the freshman 30 next year at college.

9:07 - First time I've seen Crosby look fast against these guys this series.

9:07 - GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9:08 - Maxime Talbot! And the fourth line strikes!

9:10 - Phew, 4-on-4, not a Detroit power play.

9:11 - Crosby and Malkin on the ice together. I love it, even if it's only for a few seconds.

9:12 - The Penguins still can't win a face-off. Very bad sign.

9:14 - This is why this game is going to give me a heart attack. Two guys with nobody in front of them and a shot at the net within 10 seconds.

9:15 - Wow, Detroit cheering for a Crosby injury. Classy. Crap, he looks like he's in a lot of pain.

9:17 - Man this deteriorated for Pittsburgh quickly. Crosby's hurt and in the locker room presumably, and the Red Wings are on the power play.

9:19 - [expletive] it's his knee. Didn't see him actually getting hurt until the replay. At least the Pens got a shot while I was rewinding.

9:21 - Excellent penalty kill by the Penguins there.

9:24 - AND MAXIME TALBOT STRIKES AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!

9:24 - The Penguins have now doubled their goal total at Joe Louis in 30 minutes. I LOVE IT!!!

9:25 - Of course every Pittsburgh goal has to be followed by a great chance for the Red Wings. Thank you Fleury.

9:26 - Are the Penguins really up two goals on Detroit in Detroit? I can't believe this.

9:27 - So basically all Windows has on Mac is the fact that Macs are priced higher. Psst... they're priced higher because they're worth it.

9:28 - Crosby's gonna be back!!!! No torn knee ligaments, thank God.

9:29 - Nice, Gonchar had that read perfectly, didn't bite on the guy going to the corner.

9:32 - Oh come on, go to a commercial; I really gotta go to the bathroom.

9:34 - Two straight offsides on the Red Wings; maybe they're starting to press a little?

9:36 - Looks like Helm hurt himself as much as he hurt Malkin on that hit.

9:38 - Niiiice save Fleury.

9:40 - Phew, Gill broke up a potential 1-on-1.

9:41 - Face-off win followed by a turnover. Why not just lose every face-off? Nice job with the glove Fleury.

9:43 - Jesus Christ that was way too close for comfort. Nice job Fleury.

9:44 - Wow, thank you for getting out of that period guys. End 2nd period.

Analysis: Obviously for the most part an excellent period for Pittsburgh. Detroit made a couple mistakes--a turnover in their own zone and getting out of position to allow a 2-on-1--and Pittsburgh capitalized on both of them to take a two-goal lead. Fleury looks like the goalie Pittsburgh hoped he would be. Detroit got a flurry (no pun intended) of chances at the end of that period, and Fleury and the Pittsburgh defense held strong.

But of course there's the injury to Sidney Crosby. He looked like he was in a ton of pain when he left, and while Dan Bylsma said he'd be back we'll have to see if he returns in the third.

It's not necessarily anybody's game anymore, obviously. But no two-goal lead is safe with 20 minutes left, especially in Detroit. Fleury and the Pittsburgh defense have been great, so that has to stay the same for the Penguins to pull this one out. Detroit was getting a ton of chances as the second period wound down.

20 minutes to decide the Stanley Cup Champions...