Pittsburgh Penguins come back to beat Flyers, win 12th straight

The Pittsburgh Penguins took on cross-state rival Philadelphia on Sunday night in search for their 12th straight victory.

The first period contained up and down action with neither team able to break through for a goal. The Penguins got the better chances in the first including a power play where they controlled zone time. Unlike other Pens-Flyers games the Penguins were able to play physically and maintaining their emotions. The Penguins out shot the Flyers 9-6.

March 24, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov (30) makes a save against Pittsburgh Penguins center Dustin Jeffrey (15) during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

It was a stalemate between the two teams until Paul Martin was called for a slashing penalty. Claude Giroux would score his tenth of the year on the power play giving the Flyers a 1-0 lead.

Down one heading into the third the Penguins continued to work at their game, establishing the forecheck. They got rewarded for their work with a 5 on 3 power play. It didn’t take long for the Penguins to tie it up, as captain Sidney Crosby one-timed a pass by Martin past Ilya Bryzgalov for his 14th of the season.

It took overtime for the Penguins to extend their streak. Tyler Kennedy scored the game-winning goal, a laser that beat Bryzgalov top shelf on the stick side. The goal was Kennedy’s fifth of the season.

The Penguins continue their five game homestand on Tuesday when they take on the Montreal Canadiens.