Underdogs Survive Tuesday Night

Last night the Red Wings could have carried the Stanley Cup around Mellon Arena and the Lakers could have been one win away from the NBA title. But, the Penguins and Magic had something to say about that.

Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final followed the trend of the home team winning every game but Pittsburgh did it without a major contribution of its 2 stars, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. With goals from Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy, the Penguins won the gaem 2-1. But the 2 goals were a small contribution compared to defenseman Rob Scuderi's effort in the last minute of the 3rd period. Diving around the crease to block 2 shots from ending up in net, Scuderi saved an out of position Marc-Andre Fleury, who recovered from the beatdown he received in goal in Game 5 by recording 25 saves and giving up only 1 goal, from being the most hated Pittsburgh player by misplaying a save in Game 6 for two years straight. Instead, the two teams will play Game 7 Friday night at Joe Louis Arena to determine who will raise Lord Stanley's Cup.

In the NBA Finals Game 3 Tuesday night, the Orlando Magic saved themselves from a possible sweep at the hands of the Lakers. Holding off a 4th quarter comeback from Kobe and the Lakers, Orlando was able to at least play 2 more at home. Just like the Penguins, the Magic's role players stepped up on Tuesday night. Dwight Howard had his regular double-double performance but the real stars of the game were Rafer Alston and Mickael Pietrus. Alston's start at point guard meant he had to improve on his play from the past 2 games and he did by scoring 20 points and playing more minutes than Courtney Lee and Jameer Nelson, the Magic's 2 other point guards, combined. Pietrus stepped up in the 4th with a few big shots that secured the Magic win. In 31 mintues, Pietrus had 18 points, but the most important were his 2 free throws at the end of the game preventing the Lakers from having any chance at a desperation shot to force overtime and maybe change the series dramatically. Orlando needs the same performance from these players to win Game 4 on Thursday night at home.