KIDWCKED
01-03-2010, 06:39 PM
c\p from espn
Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. -- This was one special goal, even for Zenon Konopka.
Konopka celebrated his 29th birthday with a rare tally and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 on Saturday.
Fast Facts
• The Lightning won for the fifth time in seven games following a stretch in which they won one of their previous 11 games.
• Steve Downie scored and added an assist for his second multi-point game in his last four games.
• Tampa Bay won for the first time in its last five games against the Penguins.
• Pittsburgh lost four straight after a 6-1 stretch in their previous seven games.
• Sidney Crosby was held without a point for the second straight game. -- ESPN Stats & Information
"I don't know if it's better on your birthday or against the Stanley Cup champs," Konopka said. "Obviously, it would have meant nothing if we lost, so a game-winner on your birthday is pretty cool."
Tampa Bay went up 2-1 on Konopka's second of the season, a rebound effort at 14:26 of the second. He has six goals in 79 career games.
Martin St. Louis and Steve Downie also scored for the Lightning, who have won five of seven. Tampa Bay has played better since Konopka called out himself and his teammates for their poor play following a 5-2 loss to Philadelphia on Dec. 23.
"We're not there yet just because we won a few games," Konopka said. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's starting to change in the right direction."
Bill Guerin scored for the Penguins, who have lost four in a row. Sidney Crosby, who has one goal in his last seven games, and Evgeni Malkin, without a goal over his past four games, were shut out again.
"The urgency level now should be there if it has not been," Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma said. "And maybe it hasn't been, looking at our record over the last few games."
Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. -- This was one special goal, even for Zenon Konopka.
Konopka celebrated his 29th birthday with a rare tally and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 on Saturday.
Fast Facts
• The Lightning won for the fifth time in seven games following a stretch in which they won one of their previous 11 games.
• Steve Downie scored and added an assist for his second multi-point game in his last four games.
• Tampa Bay won for the first time in its last five games against the Penguins.
• Pittsburgh lost four straight after a 6-1 stretch in their previous seven games.
• Sidney Crosby was held without a point for the second straight game. -- ESPN Stats & Information
"I don't know if it's better on your birthday or against the Stanley Cup champs," Konopka said. "Obviously, it would have meant nothing if we lost, so a game-winner on your birthday is pretty cool."
Tampa Bay went up 2-1 on Konopka's second of the season, a rebound effort at 14:26 of the second. He has six goals in 79 career games.
Martin St. Louis and Steve Downie also scored for the Lightning, who have won five of seven. Tampa Bay has played better since Konopka called out himself and his teammates for their poor play following a 5-2 loss to Philadelphia on Dec. 23.
"We're not there yet just because we won a few games," Konopka said. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's starting to change in the right direction."
Bill Guerin scored for the Penguins, who have lost four in a row. Sidney Crosby, who has one goal in his last seven games, and Evgeni Malkin, without a goal over his past four games, were shut out again.
"The urgency level now should be there if it has not been," Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma said. "And maybe it hasn't been, looking at our record over the last few games."