The Pittsburgh Penguins lost 5-2 to the Philadelphia Flyers in game 3 of their playoff series, according to multiple reports. The Penguins now trail the series 0-3, putting them on the brink of elimination.
In the first period, Sidney Crosby received a two-minute penalty for diving, the first such penalty of his 21-season career, multiple sources reported. Garnet Hathaway was also penalized for high-sticking Crosby on the same play. Crosby expressed confusion over the call, saying he did not understand how he could be penalized for diving. Penguins head coach Dan Muse stated that the team had not received a single diving penalty all season, and that Crosby had never been called for diving in his career.
I don't know how Rust got an extra penalty from that situation.
The second period saw a scrum after a whistle, with referees sending all players on the ice to the penalty box, according to reports. Bryan Rust received a four-minute penalty, while others received two-minute minors. Trevor Zegras scored a power-play goal to tie the game 1-1. About four minutes later, Rasmus Ristolainen scored to give the Flyers a 2-1 lead, and Nick Seeler added another goal shortly after to make it 3-1.
Muse blamed the loss on the referees, saying that the team had to defend themselves. According to Ilta-Sanomat, Sidney Crosby described the situation as a circus and questioned how Rust received an extra penalty. However, defenseman Erik Karlsson said the Penguins have only themselves to blame for the loss, adding that they know what they need to do and are excited for the next game.
The Flyers previously won game 1 of the series 3-2, with Porter Martone scoring the game-winner. The Penguins face elimination in game 4.