The first big hit of Game 3 in the Penguins' first-round playoff series against Ottawa yesterday was recorded a few minutes before the opening faceoff.

And it was delivered squarely to the region's image.

With television audiences in the United States and Canada looking on, a smattering of fans in the standing-room crowd -- clearly blessed with more lung capacity than brain power -- took it upon themselves to boo portions of the Canadian anthem.

It was a stunning show of disrespect for a country that is one of this nation's closest allies, and was unlike anything that happened during the first two games of the series at Scotiabank Place, where the U.S. anthem was applauded on both occasions.

There was no immediate word on whether any of those fans who came across as equally clueless and classless bothered to consider how Canadians would react to their jeers. Canadians such as Sidney Crosby, Marc-Andre Fleury, Gary Roberts and Jordan Staal, among others.

Minor-league impact

They may not always find the spotlight, but a core group of players groomed and nurtured in the Penguins' minor-league system played a key role in the team's run to the playoffs.

"The farm team is crucial," coach Michel Therrien said. "This is where you build your foundation. The core of that group has been brought up together. You need players who are ready to play in the NHL."

Therrien and assistant coach Mike Yeo were promoted from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League midway through last season, and many of the players grew up in their system. Any successful franchise must have a productive minor-league system, and the Penguins benefited from having high draft choices in the years between playoff appearances.

Players who were drafted and developed as Baby Penguins include Maxime Talbot, Michel Ouellet, Erik Christensen, Colby Armstrong, Ryan Whitney, Brooks Orpik, Rob Scuderi and Marc-Andre Fleury.

"One thing that's created at Wilkes-Barre is a winning environment," Yeo said. "It's an environment where you learn how to win and what it takes to be successful.

"A lot of guys we have in here are winners. That's why they're in the NHL."

It's a group that's still learning and adjusting to new experiences, but the feeling of togetherness has helped in times of adversity.

"It feels like a family that's been together for three years," Christensen said. "We know what to expect from each other."

Laraque scratched

Georges Laraque, acquired from Phoenix at the trade deadline to add grit and toughness, was a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game. Nothing was said to him directly -- he saw his name on the list of players who weren't dressing -- but Therrien made it clear he had expected Laraque to be more of a physical presence in Game 1.

"No comment," Laraque said yesterday. "I'm just happy we're winning."

With games on consecutive days in different cities, none of the starters attended yesterday's morning skate. The other participants were goalie Jocelyn Thibault, Alain Nasreddine, Nils Ekman, Chris Thorburn and Joel Kwiatkowski.

No place like home

While the home playoff opener figured to be memorable for all of the Penguins, it likely had meaning for forward Ryan Malone. He is the first Western Pennsylvania-trained player to play for the Penguins, and Wednesday became the first to appear in a playoff game for them.

Making his playoff debut obviously was a significant moment in his career, but doing it for his hometown team made it even more special.

"This is where every hockey player wants to be right now," Malone said. "To have an opportunity like this is great, and you don't want to take it for granted. You just want to go out there and enjoy the moment, give it everything you've got."