FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 9th, 2016

2016 STANLEY CUP FINAL GAME 5 NOTES & QUOTES – SAN JOSE SHARKS VS. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

“I thought about giving Martin Jones the first, second, and third stars of the game.” – Eddie Olczyk

“Martin Jones basically steals the game…he was a master thief.” – Mike Milbury

Penguins Lead Sharks 3-2 – Game 6 Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC

STAMFORD, Conn. – June 9, 2016 – NBC Sports Group continued its exclusive coverage of its 11th consecutive Stanley Cup Final tonight with Game 5 featuring the San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins from CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Sharks won Game 5 by a score of 4-2, as Martin Jones made 44 saves and Logan Couture recorded a goal and two assists to avoid elimination.

Pittsburgh now leads the Stanley Cup Final 3-2. The Sharks have forced Game 6 on Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET on NBC at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., when the Penguins will attempt to win their first Stanley Cup since 2009. Sunday’s pre-game coverage begins at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Four-time Emmy Award-winning play-by-play commentator Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame member and analyst Eddie Olczyk, and Emmy Award-winning Inside-the-Glass analyst Pierre McGuire called Game 5 tonight from CONSOL Energy Center. This marks the 10th consecutive year that Emrick, Olczyk and McGuire have combined to call the Stanley Cup Final for NBC Sports Group.

Coverage began on NBCSN at 6 p.m. ET with NHL Live. Kathryn Tappen hosted alongside analysts Jeremy Roenick, Anson Carter and Brian Boucher on-set outside of CONSOL Energy Center. Dave Briggs reported on the action inside and outside the building. Coverage shifted inside the arena prior to puck drop with host Liam McHugh, who was joined by analysts Mike Milbury and Keith Jones.

Tonight’s pre-game coverage also featured interviews with two-time Stanley Cup winner and current Penguins radio analyst Phil Bourque and current Steelers safety and Pittsburgh native Ross Ventrone.


NHL Live (6-8 p.m. ET) on NBCSN

Boucher on Sharks goalie Martin Jones: “His team isn’t scoring for him, and that’s frustrating as a goaltender. The one thing about Martin Jones is that he’s been rock-solid. He’s given them a chance to win every night. He’s been their best player.”

Bourque on the fanbase in Pittsburgh: “1991 and 1992 were crazy, the Finals in 2008 and 2009 were crazy – but this is another level. I don’t know if it’s because they’re so hungry for a Cup, because a lot of them experienced it in 2009. There’s been some heartbreak over the last few years, but the taste is in their mouth.”

Boucher on Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan: “The Penguins didn’t have an identity before he took over. He’s gotten his star players to buy in, but he’s been unafraid to use young players that were playing for him in the minors. Without his guidance, without his strong voice, the Pittsburgh Penguins would not be playing for a Stanley Cup tonight.”

Roenick on Penguins forward Phil Kessel: “He’s not going to give you the best quote in the media, he won’t be the most energetic guy in the locker room…he’s a guy who’s going to go out and work hard for you, and he deserves all of the credit he’s getting now.”

Milbury on Kessel: “He has grown into an all-around player. He’s been remarkably consistent at both ends of the ice. He’s a legitimate contender for the Conn Smythe Trophy.”

Jones on the lack of production from Sharks’ stars: “Frustration happens when you’re chasing the game, and you’re chasing the puck. Pittsburgh has been faster than the two star players for the Sharks. If I’m Peter DeBoer, I’m separating Pavelski and Thornton. I’m putting speed on the wings with both guys.”

Carter on Sidney Crosby: “He’s a generational player. I’ve known Sidney Crosby since he was 13…what makes him so special is that be steps up big in the big moments. 2008 they lost the Final and he played well, 2009 he was unbelievable – World Juniors, Olympics, World Championships – you name it, he steps up and elevates his game.”

 

Game 5 (8 p.m. ET) on NBC

First Period

Olczyk on Brent Burns goal, 1-0 Sharks: “Look how early Matt Murray goes down. Just like the overtime goal in Game 3, where Joonas Donskoi scores – the exact same play.”

McGuire: “This is the start San Jose wanted.”

Emrick on Logan Couture goal, 2-0 Sharks: “A meaningful silence here in Pittsburgh.”

Olczyk on Evgeni Malkin goal, 2-1 Sharks: “The Penguins are right back in this game.”

McGuire on Carl Hagelin goal 22 seconds after Malkin goal, 2-2: “You have to wonder if both of these young goaltenders are a little bit overwhelmed by this moment. Some shaky goals by Matt Murray – and especially that one from Martin Jones.”

Emrick on the goal posts hit by Penguins on the power play: “They are the size of utility poles on some nights.”

Olczyk on Melker Karlsson’s goal, 3-2 Sharks: “What a pass from Logan Couture… recognizing where Karlsson was, the exact same spot as his goal in Game 4.”


First Intermission

Milbury on Sharks’ quick start and first goal: “It was the same approach Pittsburgh had in Game 4 in San Jose. They kept it extraordinarily simple…dump the puck in and go get it. This is a lousy goal from Matt Murray.”

Milbury on third goal allowed by Murray: “That’s a great scoring opportunity, but it sails right through the body of Murray. He’s got to be better than that. I think the clock is ticking on this guy.”

Jones on replacing Murray with Marc-Andre Fleury: “He’s in the back of my mind. The score is going to allow (Murray) the opportunity to stay in the net. 3-2, Murray will get a chance. That fourth goal goes in? See you later.”


Second Period

McGuire on save by Martin Jones on Nick Bonino late in the period: “That is larceny…what an outstanding save.”

 

Second Intermission

Milbury on Penguins in the second period: “Just keep doing what you’re doing…the quality of shots was outstanding, as was the quality of Jones’ saves.”

Jones on Crosby: “Sidney Crosby has been phenomenal…he’s putting on an absolute clinic. He’s in complete control of his own game…he wants to end it tonight.”

Milbury on Crosby: “He’s at the pinnacle of his skills. The emotional control that he’s showing, the ability to shrug off the hit from behind, is great stuff from him.”

Jones on the Sharks: “Logan Couture’s line has been outstanding in this game.”

Third Period

McGuire on Penguins’ offensive pressure: “Chances galore for the Pittsburgh Penguins.”

Emrick: “There will be a game coming up on Sunday at the Tank in San Jose.”

Olczyk: “I thought about giving Martin Jones the first, second, and third stars of the game – he’s been that good.”

Post-Game

Milbury on the Penguins: “Martin Jones basically steals the game. Keith Jones talked about it in pre-game that Martin Jones needed to be a culprit. Tonight, he was a master thief.”

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–