Nov 12, 2008 - 6:29 AM
0 shoutsBy Brian Fitzsimmons PA SportsTicker Staff Writer
In the first game that reminded us all what happened five months ago in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Pittsburgh Penguins finally were able to do what they couldn't then - even if it wasn't the way they planned.
The Detroit Red Wings held off them off in six games to claim their first title since 2002, but weren't able to avoid a thrilling comeback in the first regular-season contest since the showdown in June.
Jordan Staal highlighted a four-goal third period with his second career hat trick and Ruslan Fedotenko scored with 71 seconds remaining in overtime as the Penguins notched a 7-6 victory on Tuesday.
"You can't let things like that happen," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. "After two periods, I thought we did a lot of real good things. Then they got momentum when they scored on the 5-on-3. You can't give up seven goals and expect to win."
It was, in fact, the type of message the Penguins wanted to send. Yet, it was so much more than that. Perhaps the underlying storyline was their dynamic way of showing Marian Hossa that he would pay for burning them in the offseason.
After being traded by the Atlanta Thrashers midway through the 2007-08 campaign, Hossa was a key cog in the Penguins postseason run. However, his tenure in Pittsburgh ended on a sour note when news broke that he fled to Hockeytown for a discounted price because he "wanted to win the Stanley Cup."
The Czech native could have commanded a long-term contract worth around $80 million, but decided to sign a one-year deal with Detroit for $7.45 million.
The Red Wings' brain trust had Hossa on their wish list, yet never expected to land the four-time All-Star because of the team's already existing large payroll. Detroit general manager Ken Holland admitted he was stunned to hear Hossa accepted their proposal.
In a way, it was like half-heartedly bidding a couple thousand dollars for a luxury vehicle on eBay, and actually winning.
Despite the loss of a superstar, Pittsburgh is back to its winning ways thanks to the continuing success of Evgeni Malkin, captain Sidney Crosby and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.
Maybe Hossa learned the hard way that he should have stayed put if he truly wanted to give himself the best chance to win a title.
"I don't know what happened in the third period," Hossa said. "All of a sudden they started skating; got the 5-on-3 goal and we couldn't stop them, for whatever reason. It's unacceptable. We have to learn from it, but it's early in the season. We have to turn the page and get ready for the next game."
While he is trying to help the Red Wings recapture their prowess in the rough waters of the Western Conference, Hossa is fully aware he let many people down in Pittsburgh.
"Obviously, I disappointed some people," Hossa told the Detroit Free Press. "But also I have to look for myself and I made decision to come here, so hopefully some people will respect that. I just thought there would be something better in Detroit. I had a chance to play with future Hall of Famers, with guys with lots of experience, and that's another thing why I came here."
Hossa and his talented new teammates have their work cut out for them, though. No team has repeated as champions since the Red Wings accomplished the feat themselves in 1997 and 1998.
In addition, the San Jose Sharks have set the tone in the conference, getting off to a 13-3-1 start. The Red Wings fell to the resurgent Sharks, 4-2, on October 30 and will not face them again until December 18.
Meanwhile, the Penguins must find a way to hurdle tight competition in the East - a conference that is without New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur for four months, enjoying Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin going through scoring lapses and watching the New York Rangers suddenly fizzle after a torrid start.
Time will tell if Hossa made the right decision, but for one night - one thrilling comeback later - he finds himself utterly stunned.
The Penguins finally took care of business against the Red Wings, even if it wasn't on hockey's grandest stage.
And for a team with revenge as its main source of momentum, it couldn't have come at a better time.
