Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sidney Crosby
What an incredible tournament. I'm glad the kid gets paid to play for the Pens. Take a deep breath and enjoy what we just watched. Best two weeks of hockey ever. It sucks because Team USA was phenomenal. A silver medal is nothing to complain about. No time to dwell, there's other things left for Crosby to defend. Go Pens!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Mini Miracle!
Penn State Wins at Michigan 55-51
Penn State won at Michigan for the first time since 1999. Talor Battle had 14 points and Andrew Jones added 10. The Nittany Lions outrebounded the Wolverines, 39-25.
I just got done saying that they suck. Then they go and with their first two Big 10 games of the year. On the road no less. They still do suck but beating Michigan is always nice. Penn State was held to one field goal for something like the final 7 minutes of the game. See, suck. I still think PSU needs a coaching change and nothing has changed my opinion.
The next game is Ohio State this Wednesday at 6:30 in State College. The game is on the Big 10 Network. A win here would be nice, too.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Former Pirates Pitcher Jim Bibby Dies
Jim Bibby died yesterday after battling cancer. He was 65.
Bibby was a member of the Pirates from 1978-81 and 1983. He won a World Series ring as a member of the We-Are-Family Buccos in 1979.
Bibby is the uncle of current NBA player Mike Bibby, who plays for the Atlanta Hawks.
Besides being a World Series champion, Bibby was a one time All-Star (1980) and will forever be in the baseball record book for throwing a no-hitter while pitching for Texas in 1973.
The picture is one of my prized possessions. A Lynchburg Hillcats bobblehead that he autographed. Bibby was a pitching coach for Lynchburg following his playing career.
Monday, February 15, 2010
OLYMPIC HOCKEY PREVIEW 2010
TEAM CANADA
Canada brings perhaps one of the most talented and well balanced rosters ever into Vancouver this year. They are so loaded with scoring power, defensive skill, and 3 of the best goaltenders in the business. They also did a good job balancing youth like Sidney Crosby and Jonathon Toews with experienced players like Chris Pronger and Joe Thornton. Most of Canada expects gold from this team, especially on their home ice.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Sidney Crosby- the most talented and well rounded player in the entire Olympics and should be Canada's driving force
Rick Nash- brings an amazing skill set to Vancouver, with an incredible ability to score and help teammates
Dany Heatley- found his scoring touch of recent, and should put points on the board for
Chris Pronger- no denying Pronger's skills in indimidation, experience, and puck movement
Martin Brodeur- holds NHL shutout record, and with a few slight exceptions, is in prime form so far this year.
MY PREDICTION: GOLD
TEAM RUSSIA Russia has all of the offensive firepower to hang with and perhaps surpass the likes of Canada and Sweden. Their only flaw is that they are slightly top heavy, and their defense may not be as strong as Canada. They do have enough to get by and be a major factor in every game they play. Expect them to be a serious contender.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Evgeni Malkin- getting hot at just the right time, and should lead Russia's attack
Alex Ovechkin- character issues asside, Ovechkin is one of the most gifted players ever with an unreal wrist shot
Ilya Kovalchuk- expect him to do what he does best, which is put the puck in the net
Anton Volchenkov- one of the best fundamental defensemen and the best Russia has to offer
Evgeni Nabokov- by far Russia's best goalie and should get the majority of starts for team Russia
MY PREDICTION: SILVER
TEAM SWEDEN
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Sedin twins- grouped together because of how well they compliment each other. Look for this dynamic duo to make some noise
Peter Forsberg- biggest X factor of this years Olympics because nobody knows how good he can still be
Henrik Zetterberg- anchored Detroit's attack for years now and should be a factor in Sweden's powerplay
Nicklas Lidstrom- most experienced defenseman on the team, and his play has not slowed down yet
Henrik Lundqvist- top goaltender for Sweden who should see the majority of time
MY PREDICTION: BRONZE
TEAM USA
Team USA is a young group of guys without much experience, but with a lot of talent. They probably do not have the experience to medal, but their raw talent should give them the ability contend. If they play well together as a team, however, they can compensate for that lack of experience and be a serious medal threat.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Zach Parise- probably the USA's best scorer and if he stays healthy he should be a major player in their sucess
Patrick Kane- one of the top young talents for the USA and should be used frequently in all situations
Brooks Orpik- shutdown defenseman and intimidating presence not only on the blue line but everywhere he moves to on the ice
Ryan Miller- top USA goalie and likely the only one equipped to deal with the Olympic pressure
MY PREDICTION: 4th
OTHER COUNTRIES IN CONTENTION
Belarus
Czech Republic Finland
Germany
Latvia Norway Slovakia Switzerland
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Caught Napping...
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Penn State Basketball Sucks!
I'm running out of things to say. The Nittany Lions extended their school-worst start in league play and their longest losing streak in four seasons, losing to No. 10 Michigan State 65-54 in State College. That's 0-12 in the Big Ten. Taylor Battle was one bright spot, scoring 30 points on 7-of-11 shooting from 3-point range. Other than that, this team is awful.
Up next for PSU is Northwestern on Wednesday at 8:30. The game can be seen on The Big Ten Network but curling is probably on so let's watch that instead. It has to be better than this crap.
Overtime'd Out
Notorious "Penguin Killer" Olli Jokinen scored an overtime game winner to defeat the Pens 3-2 Friday night at Mellon Arena. He put the puck past goaltender Marc Andre Fluery at 1:02 of overtime on a wrist shot from the right side. Fleury was actually not scheduled to play, but filled in after starter Brent Johnson left the game with a lower body injury late in the second period. There is no word yet whether the Pens will call a goalie up from Wilkes Barre Scranton to fill in. The game also got extremely chippy in the second period, with Matt Cooke dropping the gloves with Chris Drury and a viscious sandwich hit being laid on Sidney Crosby. (see right) After things calmed down in the third, Sidney Crosby tied it up with his 41st goal of the season on a Sergei Gonchar redirect, but the Pens were unable to score after that. Ranger goals were scored by Brandon Dubinsky and Vinny Prospal, both in the second period. The Penguins' next game is Sunday afternoon against the Nashville Predators, which will also be their last game until after the Olympic Break.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
SNOW DAY
On a day where blizzard conditions shut down most of the northeast, Chris Kunitz turned up the heat in Mellon Arena Wednesday night. He scored two goals and Evgeni Malkin added another as the Pens beat the Islanders 3-1. This was even more special because it was only his second game since he missed over a month due to injury. This feat was witnessed by a crowd of over 13000 people, a remarkable turnout for the conditions outside. And though not every seat was filled, the Pens continued their sellout streak to 147 consecutive games. Kunitz got his first goal midway through the second period on a breakaway with Evgeni Malkin. His second came with just over 5 minutes to go in the third to clinch the game for the Pens. Malkin scored with 3 minutes remaining in the second off of a Sergei Gonchar slapshot. Perhaps the biggest turning point in the game, however, was Kris Letang's sprawling dive in front of an empty net saving a sure goal and preserving the tie. The Islanders did manage to beat Fleury once, and that was off a Franz Nielsen backhand. The win combined with the New Jersey Devils' loss to the Flyers Wednesday night moved the Penguins within one point of the division lead. The Pens' next game is Friday night at Mellon Arena against the New York Rangers.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Behind The Steel Curtain Is About To Kick Our Ass
Sean's Ramblings is having another Best Pittsburgh Sports Blog Tournament. Last year we sat on the sidelines and watched The PensBlog win it all. This year we are part of it. We are an 8 seed and facing the mighty Behind the Steel Curtain in round one. Now I know how Morehead State feels when they make the NCAAs. Go vote over at Sean's place, and vote for This Is Getting Old. We are going to need all the help we can get.
So click here and vote. First round voting ends Friday at 5 but do it now, slackers.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Out of Gas...
After busting out of the gate to a 4-1 lead halfway through the game, the Pens gave up four consecutive goals and lost 5-4 to the Capitals in overtime. This majorly was due to the fatigue and lackluster play late into the second and throughout the third. They looked extremely focused and completely outplayed the Caps in the first and through most of the second, but faded away as the game wore on. Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal recorded two goals each, but were overshadowed by the hat trick of Alexander Ovechkin. Once overtime began, it looked evenly matched until the Capitals were given a powerplay with under 3 minutes to go. Mike Knuble deflected in an Ovechkin point shot for the Caps' 14th straight victory. To add insult to injury, the Penguins AHL affiliate experienced a similar collapse to the Hershey Bears sunday afternoon at the Giant Center forfeiting a 3-0 lead to a 5-4 loss on a Hershey PP goal with little over a minute remaining. The cause for the Penguins' fatigue can likely be due to their bizarre night before and the fact they did not arrive in Washington DC until after 2 AM. The defense at many times looked vulnerable and allowed rebounds and gave up important pieces of ice at times. While I am not going to speculate about trade possibilities, many Pens fans believe that changes may be made in the next week before the Olympic roster freeze that takes place during the Winter Games. Ray Shero has proven himself to be a knowledgable and cunning GM over the years, and I personally have my full faith in him. The Pens next game is Wednesday against the Islanders at Mellon Arena.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Oh No Canada
Feuled by a contraversial goal less than one minute into the game, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Penguins Saturday afternoon at the Bell Centre by the score of 5-3. 29 seconds into the game Habs forward Mathieu Darche knocked over Marc-Andre Fleury behind his net giving Tomas Plekanec an open goal from the left boards. This should have been a goaltender interference call as Fleury was in the trapezoid behind the goal, but the referees missed the play and called it a goal. Seconds later the goal was answered by an odd man rush by Jordan Staal tipped in by Pascal Dupuis, but the Pens were unable to take an advantage in the game. Brian Gionta added two goals and Darche and Scott Gomez also scored for Montreal. One of the few highlights for the Pens was captain Sidney Crosby getting his 300th career assist on a Bill Guerin goal in the second period. Malkin also added a late goal, giving him 20 for the season. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was replaced by Brent Johnson midway through the third in possibly an attempt to rest him for the game tomorrow. The Penguins next game is tomorrow against the Washington Capitals in the Verizon Center. (note: There is the possibility that this game will be postponed due to inclimate weather in Washington and travel issues, but recent information suggests the Pens will make it to Washington in time for the start of the game)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
No Mas Presents: Dock Ellis & The LSD No-No
They are selling "Tripsburgh" T-shirts. It also comes in gray, which I think I will be buying shortly. [No Mas]
Speaking of unlicensed Pittsburgh T-shirts, I contributed to PSaMP's quest to find all this stuff. [PSaMP]
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
My Last Trip To The Igloo
Because our seats were so far away, we didn't throw these onto the ice.
The next day I had to go shopping with my better half. That's the deal. I drag her to games, she drags me to malls. It's a win-win for both of us. We ended up at the Robinson Mall where I found this, in what has to be the largest Dick's Sporting Goods ever.
I love my bobbleheads. But wait, there's more.
Trust me, this guy will never see the garden.
If any of you have ever driven the 5+ hours across the state, then you would know that you pass out about 150 Giant Eagle supermarkets. I always wanted to stop in to get the Advantage Card. Not because I would ever buy groceries then drive home, but because I wanted to feel like a local, especially at Pirates games. On Sunday's you get like 2 bucks off a Pirates ticket. Ha! I have the card now too, yinzers. Walking around the store I see this:
SUPERSTAR!!!
Now I decide to get a shopping cart and do what I just said I wouldn't, buy stuff.
Penguins bottled water. I'll take two. Two that I will never open. Now it's getting late and starting to snow a little so I wanted to get back on the road, then suddenly I almost crash my cart into an 80 year old lady. WHAT IS THIS?????
You guys get Cherry RC? I thought they stopped making this stuff years ago. They only had five 12 packs so I bought them all. That should last me until at least March.
So that was my trip. A Sidney Crosby hat trick, hanging out with good friends, a Gonch bobblehead and Cherry RC. Now that I am a proud card carrying member of the Giant Eagle community, they better stock up on the Cherry RC come baseball season. Go Pens!
Monday, February 1, 2010
HATS OFF!
Sidney Crosby led his team to a victory over the Buffalo Sabres Monday night with his 5th career hat trick and 3rd this season. Even more amazingly, all 3 of his goals happened within 8:02 in the 2nd period. Crosby has been having a "breakout season" (if that is even possible), scoring more than ever before. While Sid was certainly the main highlight of the night, there were plenty of other stories worth noting. Jordan Staal scored on a breakaway pass from Evgeni Malkin sending the Igloo into an uproar because that was the tying goal at that point in the game. Also, I would like to say congratulations to Mark Letestu for scoring his first NHL goal less than 1 minute into the first period. (picture on right) Once again, Marc Andre Fleury put in a great performance making sprawling saves in the closing seconds while Buffalo was on a powerplay. Buffalo goals were scored by Roy, Vanek, Kennedy, Pominville. The Pens next game is Saturday against Montreal.