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The Mellon Arena.
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The site where the new arena is being built, scheduled to open at the start of the 2010-11 season!
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Carol and I pose with Evgeni Malkin.
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We make our ritual pre-game stop at PensStation.
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What to buy, what to buy...
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Marc-Andre Fleury leads the team onto the ice for warm-ups!
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Nine days since they played last and itchy to play.
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Sergei Gonchar fires a practice shot on goalie Ty Conklin.
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Carol's teeth save Mellon Arena management a lot of money in lighting.
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Here come the Pens!
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It's a whiteout!
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The crowd cranks up the decibel level.
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Sign of the Game: "It weights only 35 lbs., but takes an entire team to lift!" The PERFECT sign for this game...
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Honorable Mention: "Snubbed by the NHL, revered in the 'Burgh, salute the Sarge #55!" A reference to the Professional Hockey Writers Association's overlooking of Sergei Gonchar in voting for the Norris Trophy for best defenseman.
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Let the series begin!
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Just 23 seconds in, former Pittsburgh Penguin Jaromir Jagr takes a crosschecking minor.
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Ryan Malone & Marian Hossa slam Fedor Tyutin into the boards.
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Tyler Kennedy & Jordan Staal carry the puck into the Rangers' zone.
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The whiteout stares down on New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist.
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Ryan Malone competes against New York defenseman Marc Staal to keep the puck deep in the offensive zone.
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Mike Tomlin, head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, signs autographs during the first intermission.
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The refs make a call to the war room in Toronto to determine whether New York's second goal should be allowed (it was). A third followed. But just a few minutes later...
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...the Penguins begin their rally from a 0-3 deficit on a goal from agitator Jarkko Ruutu!!!
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WOOO-HOOOOOO!!!
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And just 14 seconds later, Pascal Dupuis makes it 2-3 off a superb feed from Sidney Crosby!!!
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The Pens are back in the game!
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More action to come...
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The Steel City Line grinds it out behind New York's net.
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Evgeni Malkin attempts a centering pass to Ryan Malone & Petr Sykora, stationed in front of New York's net.
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New York's top scoring line (Jaromir Jagr, Martin Straka, & Brandon Dubinsky) gets a faceoff in the Penguins' end.
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Fan of the Game: "Stanley Cup Man!"
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Just four minutes into the third period, Marian Hossa scores to tie the game!!!
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The team gathers to celebrate.
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LET'S GO PENS!!!
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Carol and I are all smiles.
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Just 20 seconds later, with the score tied 3-3...
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Moment of the Game: Evgeni Malkin makes an amazing cross-crease pass to Petr Sykora, who rips the puck into the net!!! THIS PICTURE IS THE PLAY! You can even see the puck crossing through the blue paint!
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YEEEAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!
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I don't know if I've ever heard the crowd this loud!
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Okay, now if we can just hold the lead for the last 15 minutes...
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Things get a little rough.
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The whiteout crowd jeers New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist.
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The Rangers tie it up at 4-4, but New York left wing Martin Straka gets called for interference with just over three minutes left...
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Sidney Crosby rifles a shot from the half-boards, rings it off Evgeni Malkin's leg, and into the net!!!
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Penguins lead 5-4 with just 1:41 left!
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Carol and I are about to suffer cardiac arrest...
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Hold on a minute, the goal is under review. Did Evgeni Malkin kick the puck into the net?
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The Penguins discuss the play.
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New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist prays for the goal to be overturned, but...
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THE GOAL STANDS!!!
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Pandemonium!
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Holy crowd noise, Batman!
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With a minute to play, New York pulls its goalie for an extra attacker...
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An empty net, to no avail...
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THE PENS WIN! THE PENS WIN!!!
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What a game.
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The Cardiac Kids!
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The Penguins congratulate each other...
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...and take a 1-0 series lead back to the locker room!
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2nd Star: Jarkko Ruutu (1 goal, the Penguins' first of the series).
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1st Star: Sidney "the Wizard of Cros" Crosby (2 excellent assists, including the shot that proved to be the game winner).
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Pens win 5-4, next game on Sunday at 2:00!!!
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