MN natives squared off

Farmington native Brent Johnson got the call to play in nets for Pittsburgh Tuesday night and despite giving up four even strength goals made enough saves to help the Penguins secure a victory.

It was the 13th game Johnson has played in nets this year and he has a 6-4 record.

Minneapolis native and former Gopher Kyle Okposo had to be the most frustrated on the saves Johnson made as Okposo had seven shots and not one point to show for the effort.

From the Observer-Recorder....

The Penguins started Brent Johnson in goal, perhaps rushing him back into action from an undisclosed lower body injury.

But they apparently felt Johnson was a better option than rookie John Curry, who struggled terribly in his start at Vancouver on Saturday.

Johnson wound up in a three-round battle against Kyle Okposo in the second period, and came away a winner each time.

He stopped Okposo on two breakaways, then also thwarted Okposo on a penalty shot that was awarded on the second breakaway.

"He's a nifty forward," Johnson said. "He can stickhandle in a phone booth. He's pretty good. It was just one of those things."

Watch Johnson's first big save on an Okposo breakaway shot HERE
Watch Johnson's second save on Okposo here HERE
Watch Johnson's save on penalty shot HERE