Pens got their asses handed to them in the first period yesterday versus Columbus, and experienced what a big, tough fore-checking opponent can do to them They evened things up (from a skating and hitting standpoint) in the last period and a half; but by then, it was clear they weren't coming back versus Bobrovsky.,
Columbus essentially dressed their opening night squad including Atkinson, Bob, Dubinsky, Foligno, Hartnell, Jenner, Johansen, Johnson, and Saad.....while the Pens (who were more roster-disadvantaged than I initially realized) didn't dress Bennett, Dupuis, Fleury, Geno, Hornquist, Letang, and Perron. But even at full strength, Columbus remains an awfully tough physical matchup for the Penguins; and we know the bigger and more physical the opponent, the more difficulty the Pens will have.
And as always, Dubinsky did what he does best; aggravating the Pens into what became the Sestito major resulting in the 2 PPG's which broke the game open. Even with a full NHL lineup, if they beat Columbus more than maybe twice this season, I'll be surprised......and it honestly won't shock me in the least if the Blue Jackets beat the Pens 6 in a row.
As for yesterday in Morgantown, I did feel like the physical matchup.....compared to GSU and Liberty.....was far closer than the final score indicated. Of course, quarterback play counts (just as it did when they beat us 37-0); and it's clear Maryland.....at least currently.....has a problem there.
Did you guys have a good time; and was it a loud crowd ??