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Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:29 am EST

Videos: Godard finally solves Orr; Crosby's spinning backhand

By Greg Wyshynski

Eric Godard of the Pittsburgh Penguins has thrown down with many fellow pugilists in the NHL, but that pesky Colton Orr of the New York Rangers, for whatever reason, just owned him for the last few seasons going all the way back to their AHL days. Take their Jan. 5 fight from this season: Orr had more punches than a Hollywood Hogan match while Godard had a wardrobe malfunction.

The tide finally turned last night, three seconds (!) into the teams' game in Pittsburgh. Godard finally landed some early punches, and then one that buckled Orr's knees.

In the spirit of equal time, this is the sort of staged bout that causes many fans to contemplate stricter penalties for fighting in the NHL. Then again, it's the kind of fighting rivalry that causes many fans to tune in to see the next round, while also undoubtedly setting the tone for the game. We eagerly await the Wrath of Orr.

Meanwhile, this late third period goal by Sidney Crosby -- which made the final score 6-2 for the Penguins, moving them back into a points-tie for the eighth seed -- has gotten some attention this morning:

While there's no denying the skill and accuracy in pulling off the shot, this really shouldn't make the goal-of-the-year highlight reel when you consider it came at 18:20 of the third, with a three-goal lead and against a goalie in Henrik Lundqvist who probably realized that he had allowed more goals in the last 72 hours (12) than Scott Gomez has scored this season (10). Plus, like Ross said this morning: Beating Lundqvist up top isn't exactly a contender for a new skills competition event.

But it looked pretty, Sid, which at least may be enough to impress a few Russian peers.

Related: Goons and Pugilism, Puck Videos, Crosby vs. Ovechkin vs. Malkin

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56 Comments

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  1. Daniel H
    1. Posted by Daniel H Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:35 pm EDT

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    It's a sick goal, no question, regardless of circumstance.
  2. Daniel H
    2. Posted by Daniel H Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:35 pm EDT

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    As for being a Top 10 goal..... eh.... Top 20 if it's lucky.
  3. Six-burgh Steelers
    3. Posted by Six-burgh Steelers Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:30 pm EDT

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    There aren't many others in the league that could pull that one off. I wonder how many times he's practiced that shot?
  4. NO tanking
    4. Posted by NO tanking Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:56 pm EDT

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    Really pretty goal!
  5. skistarr
    5. Posted by skistarr Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:26 pm EDT

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    Hey everyone, his name sounds like Cindy. Isn't that funny. Cause that's a girl's name. Funny. Cindy.
    Idiots.
    Let the bashing of a 21 year old kid who is only going to get better and scarier with the puck commence..... now
  6. MattieJ
    6. Posted by MattieJ Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:23 pm EDT

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    Goddard is starting to turn me into a believer... He may be able to fill Laraque's shoes yet.... Sid's goal was pretty, spin-o-rama followed by a backhanded shot where Grandma keeps the cookies.... Pretty....
  7. astcter
    7. Posted by astcter Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:58 pm EDT

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    OK anybody else catch the unabashed homerism from Rosen, Micheletti and MSG? Not only do they say NOTHING as Orr buckles and hits the ice, but when they show a replay of the fight, they cut it right before Orr gets stuck. Give me a break!
  8. Munkcy
    8. Posted by Munkcy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:21 pm EDT

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    It deserves Goal of the Year honorable mention. The circumstances of the game shouldn't be the only thing judged. The Goals of the Year all have a certain level of artistry to them, and this one certainly has that.
  9. Wyshynski
    9. Posted by Wyshynski Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:21 pm EDT

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    @ MattieJ --
    You know, not every grandma keeps the cookies on the top shelf.
  10. blueeyes_greeneyes
    10. Posted by blueeyes_greeneyes Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    That was a pretty sweet goal.
  11. banginpanger.com
    11. Posted by banginpanger.com Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:04 pm EDT

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    If he actually looked where he was shooting, instead of throwing it at the net, I'd be more impressed. Still nice though. Glad to see he only tallied 1 secondary assist last night. Either way, Lundqvist is just full of fail lately.
  12. la
    12. Posted by la Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:11 pm EDT

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    i want to see one of the *great* redwings pull off a goal like that.... untill that happens lay off the Kid.
  13. Maraldo
    13. Posted by Maraldo Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:34 pm EDT

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    If you watch enough Penguin games, you'll see him try that shot all too often. Glad it finally worked and all, but there are so many times when he comes down the boards or has time to square up and tries that spinning backhand, usually for an easy save. But that was a good looking goal righ there.
  14. Tito "TD" O'Dell
    14. Posted by Tito "TD" O'Dell Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:36 pm EDT

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    Crosby has always had the best backhand in the league. Two years ago (to the day, almost) he scored a beauty against Phoenix, while also adding 3 assists in the game.
  15. b_jack_city
    15. Posted by b_jack_city Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:16 pm EDT

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    How would looking at the net be more impressive? It's called knowing where you are on the ice without having to spend a few seconds catching up to the game.
  16. NYR10LSC
    16. Posted by NYR10LSC Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:13 pm EDT

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    @skistarr, no one is bashing the kid. When [profane]s like you bring it up, then people start jumping on.
    @ la what, you don't think the *great* Redwings have scored a goal that has made a highlight real. And because Sid had a nice one, that erases all the things that people don't like about him or his relationship with the NHL? What are you? 12?
    Yes Goddard gave Orr the hit that made him fall to him knees but the fight looked more like 55-45 or 60-40. I don't know if you can call that solving Orr. Can't wait to see the rematch in March though.
  17. pensfan1982
    17. Posted by pensfan1982 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:50 pm EDT

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    great goal ... letang though with two beauties is a bit more impressive ... first two goal game for him in the NHL and they were both great ... up top with a wrister and five hole after embarrassing two defenders ... from a d-man that is impressive
  18. Billkamm
    18. Posted by Billkamm Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:26 pm EDT

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    Crosby has been trying that move to score a goal all season long. It finally went in. I guess if you throw the puck at the net enough it will eventually go in.
  19. stiff neck
    19. Posted by stiff neck Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    Hey P. Daddy, question for ya...
    Are you at all capable of simply complimenting Crosby for scoring a nice goal (or anything else) without having to throw in your usual digs at him? I mean, who-the-hell-cares that Lundqvist isn't great at stopping top-shelf goals? Why even bother mentioning it? Because you know darned well you wouldn't mention it at all, if, say, Craig Conroy or Derek Roy had scored a goal like that. You'd just praise them for a great goal, not any stupid "buts" or "it was late in the game..." BS. And ANY goalie would have a hard time stopping that shot, not just Lundqvist.
    Come on, Greg. You obviously DO NOT like the guy, but some objectivity nonetheless wouldn't kill ya.
  20. firewing
    20. Posted by firewing Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:01 pm EDT

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    that was a good shot. but to answer you la yes zetterburg has a hell of a backhand and has scored goals that sweet. people were going to compliment the goal. you may have started a wings -pens fight now.
    way to go. couldnt you just let it go? please people dont start the wings pen arguments!!!!
    huet back me up here ok
  21. mikeycards
    21. Posted by mikeycards Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    not a bad shot looks like he caught hank off guard with that one
  22. skistarr
    22. Posted by skistarr Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:26 pm EDT

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    I'm not a Crosby basher, bro. I'm one of the people that hate when these d-bags get on here and cut him down. Sorry, guess I'm not a [profane] afterall.
  23. Christopher C
    23. Posted by Christopher C Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:20 pm EDT

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    Hey NYR09LSC, nobody cares what you say, sick goal by sid, no matter what these jealous morons say, and I love how godard knocked orr out last night, hahaha we beat yo down physically first and the the scores pretty much tells the rest of the story.....We OWN you NY, so I understand your jealousy......It was more like 100-0....it doesnt matter how many punches you land when you get knocked out you d-bag....I consider it a knockout when your legs go limp and you fall down....but you can just call it a beatdown if you would like....
  24. banginpanger.com
    24. Posted by banginpanger.com Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:04 pm EDT

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    @ bjackcity,
    Like the Russian Rocket said, Crosby does it often. I don't think this is as much Crosby pulling off something miraculous than Lundqvist being ill-prepared (and soured after giving up 4 in the 3rd already). I'm just much more impressed when he skates through 3 guys a la the vaunted Rangers goal than blindly roofing a backhand. Maybe that's just me.
  25. Billy
    25. Posted by Billy Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:47 pm EDT

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    I hope more Russian players say Crosby is no Ovechkin, it seems to motivate him. As for Orr, Godard put him in his place, collasping to the ice after getting kabonged.

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