WBS Penguins: Down But Not Out

Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Penguins need to dig deep in Game Five
The Penguins come into Game Five down three games to one in the best-of-seven series after dropping two straight overtime games to the IceCaps over the weekend. The good news is that they can start the comeback tonight on home ice in front of the hometown fans.

All time, the Penguins are 15-10 when facing elimination. Let's hope after tonight that is pushed to 16-10.

The series has been much closer than the three to one deficit shows, however.

In the opening game of the series, the IceCaps held a 2-1 lead until a puck handling gaffe by Brad Thiessen with under two minutes to play ended the game in a 3-1 loss. Essentially a one goal game.

In Game Two, the Penguins evened up the series with a 3-1 win of their own, thanks to one shorthanded and one power play goal in the first five minutes of the third period. The Penguins really dominated the play and held a 28-11 shot advantage after two periods before pulling away in the third.

The series shifted to Wilkes-Barre for Games Three and Four. Both ended in overtime losses for the Penguins. Two more one goal games.

In Game Three, the IceCaps held onto a 1-0 lead until an extra attacker goal by Eric Tangradi with 1:02 left to play sent the game into overtime. Unfortunately Brock Trotter notched his second of the night 10:02 into the first overtime for the IceCaps win.

The Penguins came out firing in Game Four, scoring goals on their first two shots and taking a 2-0 lead into the second period. But credit to the IceCaps for not giving up as they tied up the game with two second period goals of their own and after a scoreless third period, ended the game 27 seconds into overtime when Ben Maxwell cleaned up a rebound loose in Thiessen's crease.

By no means is this series over heading into Game Five tonight. A couple bounces the other way and it's a 3-1 series for the Penguins and fans would have their eyes on the Conference Finals.

Instead, the Penguins need to start with one game. Win this game and head back to St. John's for Game Six.

LETS GO PENGUINS!

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