Senators Artcles: Binghamton not concerned about losing momentum
April 27, 2005

Posted by: Bob Howard
Credit: Jonathan Bombulie of Scranton Times

Binghamton not concerned about losing momentum

By Jonathan Bombulie 04/27/2005

WILKES-BARRE TWP. - Following the longest game in Penguins history, one question remains: When Colby Armstrong scored 12:26 into the third overtime to give the Penguins a 3-2 victory Monday night, was it simply one win in a best-of-seven series or was it something more?

Have the Penguins, still trailing two games to one in the East Division semifinals, snatched momentum away from the Binghamton Senators heading into Game 4 at the Wachovia Arena tonight?

"It was a huge game for us," Penguins winger Matt Murley said. "It gives us life, it gives us a series here, and it gives us confidence going into (Game 4)."

Binghamton co-coach John Paddock, sees it differently.

"All this does is guarantee there's a game five," he told the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin. "They're going to put a different spin on it, but momentum is only what you allow it to be. There's only something to that if you allow it to happen."

Regardless of what happens in the rest of the series, Monday's game will go down as one of the most dramatic victories in Penguins history.

Armstrong ended it by sweeping a Kris Beech pass on a 3-on-2 break past goalie Ray Emery just before the clock struck midnight.

"I saw Beechie carrying the puck wide," Armstrong said. "I looked at (trailer Erik) Christensen to see if he was doing to drive to the net and he kind of looked like he was pulling up, so I just busted my tail right through and managed to get free through to the net.

"Obviously, Beechie, with his passing ability, laser-beamed a pretty nice pass across. It's a credit to him."

Andy Chiodo added another chapter to his playoff legacy as well, stopping 42-of-44 shots.

"It was six periods where the guys just left it on the ice," Chiodo said. "When the goal went in the net, it was time to let your guard down and relax. It was really emotional."