— Hockey Night Punjabi (@HkyNightPunjabi) June 10, 2016
Hockey Night in Canada's Punjabi broadcast didn't need long to deliver another classic goal call during Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final - this time paying homage to "The Simpsons."
After Brent Burns scored the game's opening goal for the San Jose Sharks just 64 seconds into the first period, play-by-play commentator Harnarayan Singh yelled: "Mr. Burns! Excellent!"
A record-setting whirlwind of offensive activity from both the San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins kicked off Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday.
The two clubs combined for the fastest four goals to start a game in Stanley Cup Final history, with each team scoring a pair within the opening 5:06.
The previous record for fastest 4 goals to start a #StanleyCup Final game was 6:51, set by @penguins (2) & Blackhawks (2) in Game 4 in 1992.
Kentucky's John Calipari traded in the hardwood for the ice Thursday night, as the Wildcats coach was in Pittsburgh for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Calipari was cheering on the hometown team as the Penguins looked to capture Lord Stanley's mug with a victory over the San Jose Sharks.
Calipari got treated to quite the start. The Penguins and Sharks exchanged four goals in just over five minutes of action and that had the coach making comparisons to some of his own team's offensive breakouts.
2-2. This is exciting stuff! Unbelievable environment!!! Pens fast break looks like it belongs in Rupp. pic.twitter.com/6L3n6n5Zk9
After giving the San Jose Sharks a short-lived two-goal lead with his first of the Stanley Cup Final, Couture landed a wildly skillful one-touch backhand feed onto the stick of Melker Karlsson, who then fooled Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray with his best changeup.
Karlsson's goal was the difference through one period, and after the Sharks and Penguins combined to score the fastest four goals to start a Stanley Cup Final game.
Donning a cape and a long, gold and black wig, the Pittsburgh Penguins supporter was seen screaming at Sharks players through a camera hole in the glass. Burns then startled the fan by shooting a puck at him - barely missing the opening.
Pittsburgh's "HBK" line erased the San Jose Sharks' early two-goal lead 22 seconds after Evgeni Malkin cut it in half, capping a feverish five-minute stretch to begin Game 5.
Donskoi has been one of the Sharks strongest players in the series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, recording three points in four games, including the overtime winner in Game 3.
The veteran Hurricanes goaltender is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but general manager Ron Francis may be intent on retaining his services.
"Cam takes a lot of criticism, but Cam from December to the end of the year was one of the top five goaltenders in the league in goals-against and save percentage," Francis told reporters Thursday. "I think there’s some merit to revisiting that as we move forward."
While Ward did not see a heavy workload in the time frame cited by Francis, he did indeed have stretches of solid play.
Month
Appearances
Record
Shots Against
Save %
December
8
4-3-0
189
.905
January
5
3-0-2
134
.925
February
10
4-4-2
280
.914
March
8
4-1-3
220
.914
April
2
1-1-0
67
.925
While Eddie Lack is under contract for two more seasons at a cap hit of $2.75 million, Francis doesn't appear overly confident in his abilities to be a full-time starter, while the price for acquiring another goalie via trade or free agency may not be worth the loss of a familiar, albeit aging commodity like Ward.
"I think we’ll make a decision fairly soon in that regard," Francis said. "When we look at Cam, part of my job is making sure I go through the meetings with my pro (scouting) guys and assessing what’s out there in the free-agent market and then talking to all the other GMs to see which goaltenders may or may not be available and for the ones that are, what the price is.
"As I sit here today, do I want to give up a first-round pick for a goaltender that may have a year or two left on his deal and then we lose him, an older guy? Not really the plan I’m looking for."
The 2006 Conn Smythe Trophy winner has appeared in 564 regular season games with the Hurricanes, posting a career record of 269-208-68 with a .910 save percentage.
For a chance to witness Pittsburgh's first major North American championship won at home in over a half century, it'll certainly cost you.
Tickets for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks are hitting staggering units on the resale market.
As of just a few hours before puck drop, the cheapest seats are being valued at a minimum of $1,500, while tickets along the glass are available for just short of $10,000 a pop.
Meanwhile, an estimated 30,000 fans (who evidently don't have that sort of coin) flooding the streets outside Consol Energy Center and Market Square in anticipation of the franchise's fourth Stanley Cup.
