SALT LAKE CITY — The Pittsburgh media contingent was an unwitting participant in a nefarious and devious plot Saturday following the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ hard-fought and crucial 4-3 win over the Utah Mammoth Saturday at the Delta Center.

Bryan Rust scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and was one of the Penguins’ better players, fighting through the physical Utah defense. In the aftermath, the media were told to speak to Rust first.

It was an unusual request of the scribes, but not out of line, as players sometimes have national media or charitable obligations.

But a few people knew what was coming next. Defenseman Erik Karlsson was the hitman. As Rust began his postgame media availability, Karlsson sneaked behind everyone and … SPLAT!

A full pie in the face, in full Soupy Sales tradition.

But the story did not end with Karlsson’s drive-by attack. Karlsson then admitted he was a hired gun and Evgeni Malkin was the Godfather who ordered the pie-ssault. So, Rust delivered a little comeuppance.

Malkin’s equipment in the next dressing stall over also got a little taste of the pie, too.

PHN captured all of it. Watch:

However, assailants did not put whipped cream in the pie as planned. The fresh smell of shaving cream filled the air as Rust yelled across the room about the awful taste.

It was a well-kept secret. Many of the players were surprised by the prank and didn’t know it was coming.

This would be the second public prank Karlsson has played this season. Fans might remember that it was Karlsson who drew the chalk outline of fallen defenseman Parker Wotherspoon on the ice before a morning skate, a day after a game in which Wotherspoon had whiffed on a one-timer and then face-planted.

The “boys” are off to Denver for another titanic battle Monday against the Colorado Avalanche. Evgeni Malkin will be eligible to play Monday, as Saturday was the last of his five-game suspension.

It might be a good bet that some sort of revenge awaits Malkin, but the revenge dish may need to be served cold.

Tags: Bryan Rust erik karlsson

Categorized:Penguins News