The Wicked Wrister

Stanley Cup

2011-04-24T20:41:00.001-04:00

There is just nothing.....

2010-12-09T22:27:00.004-05:00

To talk about right now. everything is going well. Finally the pens have gotten to their game for the entire month of november and so far in december. The Pens beat to the leafs last night to keep the win streak going, Crosbys point streak going and Maf's stellar play streak going. So now what? Kind of boring around Pens nation. Bylsma is even resting Malkin because of a bum knee, so we can't even bitch about him right now, although Madden certainly is still adding his 2 cents (if what he says is actually worth 2 cents).

The one thing that stands out about last nights game against the Leafs was the fact that through all of this winning and great play all around, the third period should be used as a reminder that if you don't play 60 minutes every game bad things can happen. The Pens were "lucky" enough to be up by 4 when everything fell apart. I use the term "lucky" loosely as it was a total domination until that point. That is the first time in a while where we saw a team come out and just put it to the penguins for an entire period, I think the shots ended up 15-2 in favor of the Leafs in the final period. The 3rd period also shows just how disciplined the pens have been during this streak. Lets face it, this is the NHL, all though there is sub par teams, any team on any given night can make you look foolish. The Pens took their foot off the gas for just a period and it took a few huge save from Fleury and a timely goal from Mark Letestu to put it away. To me that is the silver lining of last nights game. Its never easy.

By the way, thats what an enforcer is supposed to do. Not only that, Godard is playing some decent Hockey as of late

Go Pens

Things Were Good for A while anyways

2010-11-16T20:01:00.003-05:00

The Penguins rattled off 2 in a row and everything was good. The Pens handled a tampa bay team without much of a problem. Maf only had to make 15 saves. It actually was a lot closer than the scoreboard says, and Maf had to play a better game than his shots against would lead you to believe, but it was a win and that is just what Fleury and the Pens needed.

Next up came the Atlanta Thrashers. That was a hard fought contest that the pens again came out on top. To be honest i'm pretty impressed with whats going on in Atlanta. They dont have that 1 or 2 superstars but they have a bunch of good players and role players that get the job done. How is Kovalchuk doing on his new team? But the pens prevail so all is well.

Now we have last night with a division rival The New York Rangers. This was a game where the pens Dominated in every aspect of this game, except for the part of potting a goal behind Lundqvist. That dude was on something for 57 minutes. The Rangers had a 1-0 lead all the way til 2 or so minutes left in the game when Kunitz and Cooke beat Lundy for 2 in the matter of 37 seconds. game over right? The Pens are up a goal with 2 minutes left. As clutch as Lundy was the entire night he had one more trick up his sleeve. He decides to smash his stick on the cross bar and throw the broken half in a ref s direction. Thus getting an unsportsman like penalty. This my friends was the play of the game. You're down by a goal your best chance is to go against the pens power play. The Pens with a man advantage are going to take this oppurtunity to ice the clock. No Bylsma is sending his top unit out there to get a goal. I take that back he wanted them to pass around in the zone for the rest of the game. Meanwhile the Pens are 0-6 so far with only 6 shots. At what point did Bylsma have enough faith in his putrid power play to believe they could accomplish this task. Maybe it was a Test.....................FAIL

Do I need to go over what happened next. Do i need to get a youtube video of the cross ice pass Malkin would try. How about the part where everybody stands around and watches Mark Staal (brother of Jordan) get to a loose puck. How about a shot that goes off Letangs stick, off Fleurys shoulder, of the left post, off the crossbar before dropping behind the goal line. Do i Need to get that video.

The All goes back to Lundy making a quick decision that if you want to beat the penguins you have to give them power play chances. I hate to blame any Penguin for what happened, heck i thought the game would end 1-0 for the Rags. Blaming a penguin would take credit away from the genius play of Queen Henrik.

I'm actually not even going to say anything about the OT period. By this point the penguins deserved everything they got in my book. A 2-1 lead with 1 1/2 minutes left, I'm happy with Adams, Crosby and Rupp kicking it around the boards with Orpik and Letang manning the points. If the puck pops out to Orpik whats he going to do? dump it!!! Nope we put are number one unit out there to start the play. Even if we needed a Power play goal, I would have trouble sending the number one unit out there.

for 58 minutes you couldn't ask for a better game. Bottom line is Henrik Lundqvist is a Genius......

Go Pens

On My Mind...

2010-11-10T12:34:00.002-05:00

...what's going to happen when Johnson "slumps"? With Bylsma questioning not only Fleury's abilities, but now his "psyche", I don't know how this is going to turn out. Bylsma says that Fleury lacks confidence right now...well, duh! That's because he is giving him no reason to feel confident. Pulling him after a 2-0 deficit, I thought, was a disrespectful and unnecessary move. He never would have done that last season.

Anyway, this is such a frustration to me! I love Fleury and at the same time I am glad we are winning. I don't feel that the coach is looking to the future. Crosby is doing just that & yes you too P.SQY. He knows what his goalie can do and feels he needs to be able to do so.

I love my Pens...no matter what. I really miss my #11!

Go Pens!

So anything on your mind?

2010-11-08T19:46:00.007-05:00

Is there anything to talk about in the world of Pittsburgh Penguins Hockey. Not really i suppose. We have an offensive Jaugernaut. Way better than the 66/10/68 line. Nothing wrong there. The Defense is a wall. The defense never lets a shot through that any goalie from any beer league in the world couldn't stop. so no, nothing wrong there. How about special teams. You take a Penalty, you're down a goal. The Pens Power play is money. Penalty Killing? I think the Pens could play the entire season short handed and never lose a game, hell i bet they don't even get scored on, ever. Goaltending? BRICK EPHING WALL. There isn't a shot that either of our goalies couldn't stop. Hell they are going to stop wearing pads, just to give the oposition a chance. oh yeah everything is good.

The League front office is actually going to cancel the rest of the season and hand the stanley cup to Sidney Crosby because the Penguins are unbeatable. We have the best players in the world, we have the best coaches, we have the best gm, we have the best owners, we even have the best concessions at Consol. Life is good for the Pittsburgh Penguins. A select few are even going to play some baseball this summer for the pirates to give them a boost, you know what that means, The Pittsburgh Pirates will be the best baseball team in MLB history. Thats right the Penguins are that good. The Steelers declined Ray Sheros offer to let Malkin start at full back saying it would be too much for everybody to handle, it would be 6 points everytime he touches the ball. And to think Malkin only wanted to be the 3rd down back.

Thats the way it is for the Penguins, The Consol even has UMZ's. for all you non penguin fans that is an unmanned Zamboni's. The Zambonies are driven by Nintnedo WII remotes directly from suite 66. You guessed it. the best ice in the world. I'm not even going to mention the ice girls.

The Only problem with this team is that the acounts for all message boards and blogs have vanished. Nobody is even intersted anymore. Nobody posting on lets go pens. nobody commenting over at pensblog. faceoff factor is shut down. The rumor mill doesn't even recognize Pittsburgh because there is no reason to trade anybody...ever. The Biggest Crisis in The penguins camp is there in nothing left for anybody to bitch about. No leaky defense, no slumping goaltender, no bottom feeding power play. its all gone. If Penguin fans don't have their whipping boy/boys to bitch about what would they do. The defense blows, Fleury needs to go, The Power play is simply terrible. something needs to change. Is Disco on his way out. If I hear "getting to our game" one more time i swear to god i will hope the Flyers win a game.

To all the Penguin fans out there, shut the eff up and let this play out a while. give them til thanksgiving atleast. You want to fix the offense, let them play for a few games. you wanna fix the defense, let them play. all the new faces in the defense i bet they don't even know everybodies name yet. You wanna fix your franchise goalie. Let him play. He's not going to get any better sitting on the bench. Play him. I bet if Disco would have taken my advise 3 weeks ago we wouldn't have a slumping goaltender right now, we wouldn't have as many wins as we do now, but we would have 60 some games to make them up. He would have played through it and come out on top. And for Christ sakes if your going to give him that short of a leash, don't even start him. That did more damage than good. play him. Thats the only way to come out of this. He starts stringing some wins together, starts making some saves, getting comfortable with his defense he will return to form. Its a long season, lets get this shit out of the way early so we can hit our stride when it counts, and dammit can we stick with some line combos for more than 4 minutes a game. Is it wrong to think maybe we need some time to develope some chemistry through out our lines. People are making it harder than it needs to be. Overthinking things. There is a "system" in place......I think. Lets give the players time to buy into it.

Nope its the beginning of November and we are firing our coach, getting rid of our GM, trading Malkin, getting rid of Staal cuz he's injury prone, and putting our franchise goalie on waivers. Brent Johnson is actually a clone of the dominator and is poised to take us to the promise land. You people annoy me to no end.

Lets Let this play out just a few more game. Give me 25 games, then you can start jumping off the Liberty bridge all you want. Another thing for you so called "Penguin fans" if he puts on the Penguins sweater support him, and if he isn't playing well, get behind him.

So shut for a while........Please

Go Pens

This Is Starting to Really Blow

2010-10-28T13:41:00.004-04:00

Get a lead...keep a lead! Seem to be having a little trouble with the second part of that. How do you get 2 shorties and lose the game?!

Stop benching Fleury!...Bylsma, you are ruining this talented young goalie! You are stripping him of his confidence! He'll work out whatever it is that may be going on with his game, but he needs the chance to do it. His team is behind him, but I don't feel his coach is. Defense, keep the puck out your own end. Malkin, score a freakin goal. Last of all come back Staal, we really need you!

Go PENS! See you on Friday!

I Hate Pens Fans.........

2010-10-20T21:15:00.004-04:00

O.k that may have been a little harsh. Lets say i just hate most Pens fans. Me Being a Pittsburgh Penguins fan for as long as I can remember find that the Sidney Crosby era Pens fans are a little bit to ridiculous for me to take. Lets face it, most of the fans voicing there opinions on message boards and blogs probably were not a part of this fan base in 2003 let alone the glory days of the early 90's.

Lately I've been lurking around the local message boards, you know the ones, letsgopens.com, the HFboards, even the pens main website Just to see whats going on, and there it is, The Official trade Fleury thread. Apparently the reason for the shaky start to the season was completely 100% Maf's fault. He's not focused his head isn't in the game. The first 3 games are the same goalie that single handedly lost the habs series for us last season. "Are you serious" I ask myself. One person even says Maf has been to the playoffs for 4 straight years, and to the finals twice, He should be Mature and seasoned enough by now. How Many fans would love to say that thier goalie was in the playoffs 4 straight years and to the finals twice, winning one of them. Seriously people. Maf has taken us to the promise land. Sure there were a soft goal or 2 along the way. Name me one goalie that hasn't let in a few bad goals, and really there has only been one so far this season.

The game winner against the habs was pretty bad, but hey if that potent offense doesn't go o-6 on the power play, that goal doesn't matter. Nope we don't see that, we see the red light go on and shame on you Fleury. If that goal doesn't go in he's player of the game.

So lets go back one more game, the opener against the Flyers. Name a Penguin that was better than Fleury that game. He was Solid. The rest of the team looked like 12 year olds playing pond hockey, but Fleury did what you ask him to. Give the team a chance to win, He completely Robbed Carter with 2 minutes left giving Bylsma the chance to pull him with a chance to tie. They didn't happen of course, I'm sure that was on Fleury too.

What about the Toronto game, 10 saves on 14 shots. For all you people that just get up in the morning and go through the stats would see that that was a horrible game for Fleury, you know what, You're wrong again. Sure Fleury didnt make that "big save" but you can't say that you consider those goals soft. Screens, a back door tap in even, and of course the deflection goal that every goalie should stop, right? Fleury didn't step up and make THAT save and what happens, Coach Bylsma calls him out in the media and puts him on the bench for 4 games so far. Brent Johnson has been on a tear lately, playing some really good hockey, He was called out for the 2 he gave up against Ottawa. Really A laser from Alfy that kissed the post before going in, Thats a soft goal? Testube scored almost the same way, but that one was a perfectly placed shot. it's confusing, I know.

Lets go through the so called top Goalies in the League. Lets start with the hero For Usa Ryan Miller (which i am a big fan of by the way) How many times has he won a playoff series, sorry, I'll take Fleury. Luongo you say, yep, he had a team full of overachievers last spring what did he win. Didn't he even have the art ross winner on his team? Marty Brodeur? We all know how his playoffs has been going for the last 3 years, again, I'm taking Fleury. Henrik Lundqvist? yeah he wasn't even a part of the post season, if you win a game you're in, if you lose you're out, well he lost. Sorry I'm quite comfortable with Fleury.

I don't know what these people are expecting from there goalie, but i went through the stats, there isn't a goalie in history that never gave up a goal, never saved all of them. I know everyone has heard this before but Fleury is 25 years old, he's accomplished more than a lot of goalies will do in there entire career. I'm sure these fans don't remember when Fleury arrived in the burgh, sure he wasn't winning a lot of games, but out of all the pens goalies he was the only one that could last an entire game, every one else would be pulled by the middle of the 2nd. Most of these fans probably dont know that because they didn't watch the pens until they made it to the finals the first time.

Now everyone is saying you need to "ride the hot goalie", which Johnson Definately has a hot streak going, Bullshit. Its October. you play your starter. what is going to come out of this. A rusty Marc Andre Fleury waiting for a fanbase full of idoits to pounce on the first hint of a soft goal. Actually someone even went as low as to hope the pens win 7-6 just so he can continue to bash Maf. Nice, you're a good fan dude. Can't you go root for the Flyers.

So In the end All of you idiot Pens fans out there you have to realize something. No Matter what happens with the penguins, Sink or swim, its gonna be Fleury leading the way. And you know what, There is going a bad goal here, a puck misplayed, a rebound kicked out, but there are also going to be some wins stolen, some incredible saves and a lot more playoff series along the way.

Go Pens

Awww Man Not Again...

2010-10-11T12:26:00.002-04:00

...As that dude, who was not Jeff Jimmerson, was singing the National Anthem, the camera was scanning the line up for the Pens. It's like a brand new team & not a bad one!

It sucks right now, but we will get there!

4:00 blows...what's up with that? Not that many people get Columbus Day off!

Off to NJ to meet the Devils and their million dollar baby.

Go Pens...win #1! We'll take it where ever we can get it!

It's Still Early Yet

2010-10-10T20:21:00.002-04:00

so far not so good for the Pens new season. Apparently Goalies are bringing there "a" game to the Consol to face the pens. Both games, both opposing goalies have been brilliant to say the least. Whats his name from Philly had a lot of help from the posts and Carey Price committed robbery a numbers of times to keep the habs in the game and eventually win it after Fleury missed played and easy save a minute or so left. Its a shame too because Fleury has been on his game so far, making some incredible saves along the way. It shouldn't take long for the haters to be out voicing their opinion. They are the ones that watch 2 games a year when they are not jerking off to Big Bens late night bar stories. Thats alright let them talk.

As far as everything else, I can't say Im real pleased with what I'm seeing. Reminds me a lot off last season. I'm not going to get into "whose playing well and who isn't" to me it looks like exactly what it is, a new season with a bunch of new faces trying to find some chemistry. We Play the Devils and the 100 million dollar man monday night, so heres to win number one of the season.

Go pens

What The...!

2010-10-08T12:26:00.003-04:00

Rot in Hell Flyers! Win or lose...you still suck!

Go PENS!

A New Season is Upon Us

2010-09-29T20:26:00.002-04:00

Due to technical difficulties with computers, an overwhelming work schedule and an offseason that was about 2 playoff rounds to long the wicked wrister has been on hiatus for a while, but fear not fans.......fan?.........anybody? We are back for the new season.

Last season is over, water under the bridge. the 2010/2011 Penguin season is upon us. Oh whats going on that fans should be psyched about......Oh i don't know, the brand spanking New Barn across the street would be one thing. The re-vamped defense that should prove to be one of the better blue lines in the league. The signing of Paul Martin and Machalek should make the defensive zone coverage a lot better in front of MAF. The Signing of Asham , at first i was totally against this, should make Pittsburgh even that much tougher to play against, Did i mention Mike Comrie. He will be playing for a big contract next season so you know he will be showing up every night. What am I missing? Maybe a Negative note, the Pens lost the services of Gonchar to free agency. After game 7 against the Habs some people are glad to see him go, as for me, I think Gonch has a lot of good hockey left in him, but i also agree that i don't think its more than 2 years.

Maybe even the biggest thing the pens have going for them is atleast 2 players have something to prove this season. Evgeni Malkin and Marc Andre Fleury are coming off so so seasons at best. As far as Geno goes, last season wasn't bad for most NHL players, but for someone like Malkin it's a down year, and if beating the slop out of Rick Nash in a preseason game is any indication, Geno is on a mission. I'm thinking the move to wing will help him out more than anything. I smell a 50 goal season.......60?......any takers?

Next up Marc Andre Fleury. What can you say about him, sure he had a bad season, was it all his fault? was the 2nd round exit all his fault? I thought after game 7 he was going to get run out of town. I'm not saying he made every save he should have, I'm not saying he was the same netminder that shut down the wings to win the cup, but you can't put it all on his shoulders. Thats the way the yinzers are though, if you're a quarterback or a goalie, you're not as good as your back up. regardless what happened and who is to blame Maf will be wanting to prove he should be in the same breathe as the likes of lundqvist, Luongo, Brodeur, and Miller.

(the infamous 6.5 seconds that took 10 years off my life)

The 2010/2011 season will start up next week and give me one team that will be tougher to play than the Pittsburgh Penguins will be, And thats with the Selke candidate in Jordaan Staal not penciled in for a few more weeks.

oh yeah, and Ovechkin is still a Dick and the Flyers can rot in hell

Go Pens

Ovechkin, Cooke and all the other "goons"

2010-03-21T10:04:00.004-04:00

Caveman, Cookie and all the other "Goons" have no reason to respect other Players. Seriously, Cooke drops the Bee's top player for the season and all he gets is a Greco Roman style wrestling Match? I'm sure Cooke laughed all the way home after the game!! The problem here is that the league has made it impossible for the players to "instill" respect by issuing inconsistent Penalties and Fines for...Well, Frankly deserved retaliation. This is only one of the many adverse side effects that are sure to manifest from the leagues constant attempts to PUSSIFY the greatest game ever...Gar en dam tee that if Matt Cooke or Caveman would have received what I think they deserve, it would be the last time either one blind sides Anybody. But we all know what would have happened had someone bothered to instill a little respect in Cooke or Ovechkin. Ten Games and a bill!

Is it Not the Biggest game this Season

2010-03-16T07:41:00.003-04:00

The New Jersey Devils beat beat the Bruins last night 3-2 putting them only 2 points behind the Penguins for the top spot in the Atlantic. The Next game for the Pens? thats right in New Jersey. The Pens can't seem to do much against Jersey and the defensive first boredom displayed on the ice.

I think the last game in Jersey may have been the worst game of the season to date. It has nothing to do with stats. The Devils and Marty Broduer just pissed me off. The Devils now have moved to Washington or even Philly status in my Opinion. Before it was just one of those games that you had to fight through, Now its one I circle on the Calender. Maybe it's because the Pens are 0-5 against them this season, Maybe its because the Pens are making Marty Brodeur way better than he actually is. I think it has more to do with the fact that I can't stand watching that system of hockey get the Better of the Pens. That is not the way Hockey is meant to be played. That system has neutralized one of the most exciting players in the league to just another winger.

This isn't supposed to be the game I'm looking forward to. With all the Hype surrounding the Bruins game on Thursday. "The Bruins should target Sidney Crosby for what happened to Savard" stuff. I don't really see any of this playing out like that. I don't see how going after Sid is going to do much for your playoff hopes. No, I dont even care about that right now. The Devil must go down.

Now on to The Idiot that Resides in Washington. Alex Ovechkin was suspended for the 2nd time this season with a questionable hit that put The Blackhawks, Brian Campbell out for the season.

To be honest I didnt think that was as bad as some of things he's done that didnt get called but It was a typical Goon Play by the Highest payed Goon in the League. If Alex Ovechkin is suspended I am happy. He Deserves everything he gets just for being a D-bag. I'm waiting for the Time we see Ovechkins busted up Carcass scraped off the Ice. Thats when I will say Ovie got whats coming to him. And Fat ass Bruce Boudreau had this to say: "If this was Sidney Crosby doing this, everybody outside of Pittsburgh would have cried foul: 'Suspend him for the year,"' Boudreau told the Capitals team website, Caps365 on Monday. "I don't think it does the game any good to have Alex suspended." I dont think it does the game any good having Brian Campbell out for the season with an injury. Maybe you dont see Sid doing this because he has too much repsect for the game, too much respect for his fellow players, Something Ovie needs to learn.

GO PENS

Was that a Hook......

2010-03-12T10:10:00.002-05:00

.....or maybe it was interference, or maybe, just maybe it was nothing at all. Maybe Brooks Orpik just lost an edge and fell to the Ice, It a Hurricanes stick was there looking like a hook, but not really hooking anything. Thats what I saw seconds before the Hurricanes beat Brent Johnson for the OT game winner. Did anyone else see this, or did I have one to many drinks? Thats the way it went all night for the Pens.

They man-handled the Canes in each zone, the few times the canes actually made it into the Pens zone they potted one. It was not a good showing for Brent Johnson, but that is the 1st time I have said this all season, that dude has been, for the most part, a wall whenever he is called upon. 3 of the 4 goals last night were a little on the weaker side. Thats the way it goes sometimes. The Goalie at the other end, Justin Peters, started out a little shaky but got stronger as the game went on.

The Canes had no business winning that game last night, they had no business even being in the game after the 2nd period, but whatever, the Pens got a point and now its off to a much more important game tonight against Canada's red headed step child and the New Jersey Devils. It was funny the way Canada turned on Marty Broduer in the wake of the loss to the U.S. Now he is back to his defensive trapping team and now he is the best in the world again.

This will be no small feat tonight for the Pens, actually if they score a goal against the Devils I will consider that a small victory, If Maf can somehow play a good game against the Devils I will consider that another small Victory. The last 2 games against the Devils the Pens couldn't score a goal and Fleury couldnt stop them from scoring, a bad recipe.

I know they wanted Fleury to be rested for the Devils but, I think it was a bad decision to start Johnson last night. Fleury will be rested but, he hasn't played in a week, he might be a little rusty. I guess we will see tonight

Go Pens

The Big Bail Out

2010-03-05T11:16:00.003-05:00

Wow do the New York Rangers blow! The Pens played well. They played their game the entire night I will give them that, but the Rags just let it happen. If we would have traded goalies I'm seeing double digits for the pens. Thankfully Bylsma pulled Fleury in the 2nd, I'm not sure he could have handled 4 more shots, which the way he was playing we may still have lost.

Fleury was the only downer about last nights game, I take that back, you can put the Penalty killing on that list also. They allowed 2 power play goals for the Rangers, that may have had more to do with Maf shitting the bed i suppose. The Penguins dominated from start to finish, Kunitz gets a goal, Staal gets 2, Gogo finally gets a goal, and Mike Rupp pots his 12th of the season. Its a shame it took 5 goals to get the job done, but a win is a win. Fleury looked like he hasn't played for 2 1/2 weeks. He seemed a bit rusty. He will be better tomorrow against Dallas. On the Bright side Johnson had to come in a stop a stampede of 4 shots in last period and a half. the first shot in the 3rd not coming until around the 5 minute mark.

It's over now, that will be the last time I have to put up with the New York Rangers and their Idiot fans this season. Seriously that thing you people do after the rags score a goal. down right annoying, but you people don't really get a lot of practice celebrating a goal, maybe you should do that everytme Henrik makes a save.

The game against Buffalo and the game against the Rangers have been 2 of the best for the Pens this season, maybe they are getting everything togethere for the stretch run and a long rn in the playoffs. Every game from here on out will be a playoff like game. If Fleury can get on his game things should come together fine.

Go Pens

The Trade Deadline......

2010-03-03T07:46:00.002-05:00

......is upon us. So far Ray Shero has basically given up Luca Caputi for Jordan Leopald and Ponikarovsky. The Pens have adressed both area of concern so i looks likeit may be a boring Deadline day.

Who Would You Pick..

2010-02-23T08:56:00.002-05:00

You are coaching team Canada, you have a goaltending situation. As it turns out Canada's number one goalie is (was) Marty Brodeur, He is getting exposed for being a 37 year old has been who cant play without the trapping style of defensive boredom that is the New Jersey Devils. Next in line is Roberto Luongo, one of the finer goalies in the league for sure, but what has he done in a high pressure situation. He had a must win game last year in the playoffs, anybody remember how that turned out for him, he has won 2 playoff series in the last 10 years, Meanwhile you have Marc Andre Fleury sitting way back in the 3rd who, only 25 years old has his share of big games that he has shined in. Not to mention a game 7 against Alex Ovechkin in Washington. Above that a Stanley Cup game 6 and game 7, both Elimination games and both games Fleury has answered the call and raised his level of play.

It all comes down to his last name not being Luongo or Brodeur. If Luongo succeeds and plays well for the Canadians good for him, but he didnt get the job because of past performances, he got it because he issupposed to be able to do it. Marty Brodeur started as the number one goalie because he was supposed to be, I cant imagine anything he has done lately would cause them to start him. The more Canada fails, the better I feel. It's makes it even better when coaching/Management doesn't give them the best chance to win. When that happens its just funny.

I would be shocked if Team Canada makes it past the Russians.

Go U.S.A.

The Olympic Break

2010-02-17T07:59:00.004-05:00

The NHL will be shutdown for a a couple of weeks for the Vancuver Games. The Pens sit just a point out of the top spot in the Atlantic division. Since the Devils have signed Kovalchuk, it seems they cant win a game. Although the Pens are indeed only one point out of the top spot, they backed into this Olympic break losing their last 2 games in overtime, and really not playing all that well for quite some time. This is the thing though, as long as the kinks get worked out in time for the playoffs all will be good in Penguin land. Im not to worried.

It does seem like this team is just going through the motions lately. Win 2, lose 2. Maybe only show up for 2 periods a game. This team is built for the playoffs. It's hard to bring that kind of intensity in Febuary. This is a lot different than last season and even the season before. The Pens were sitting in 10th place at this time last season. They had no choice but to finish strong. This season they have the Luxury of relaxing a bit this time of year. Make no mistake about it, once the trade deadline passes things will be different, the intesity level will pick up.

As far as what Shero does at the trade deadline, there are plenty of rumors swirling, Shero has been brilliant the past 2 seasons, there is no reason to believe he wont be the same this season. And again like clock work it has started. Fleury can't take us there. Even after he already took us there people are saying that. He's not good enough, he's to inconsistant. Do you people know how stupid you sound? Another good one this time of year, we should trade Staal, Stahl, Stall for a winger. This time though it's not for Sid, It's for Geno. There are so many reasons why Staal, Stahl, or Stall for that matter will not be traded. If anyone is gonna be traded its gonna come from the blue line. Actually Shero could set up something interesting from the Dallas stars. We have what they need, they have what we need, sounds good to me.

Bad times get Worse

2010-01-05T11:44:00.002-05:00

The Pens are in the middle of their toughest stretch so far this season, a 5 game losing streak. This time there is no injuries to blame it on. The Pens are just sucking right now. Cant Blame it on the power play either, it has sucked all year, even during the winning streaks, nope chalk this one up to unfocused lazy play by the Pens, and to make matters worse Penguins Wingers Chris Kunitz will be on the shelf for 4 to 6 weeks for surgery on a torn abdominal muscle according to the post Gazette. I dont know what would worry me more, knowing i had to have surgery or knowing that it will happen in Philly. Kunitz has to be sweating that.

This may turn out to be a good thing though as Ray Shero has called Winger Luca Caputi up from WBS. This will be Caputis second call up, he was with the big club last season for a 5 game stint which saw him scoring 1 goal. A goal in 5 games, not too many Pens cans say they have done that in a while. This is exactly what kind of shake up this club needs. A young player that will play hard for sixty minutes. Heres to Caputi proving that he should stay.

Go Pens

He Shoots It Wide

2009-12-22T08:26:00.006-05:00

I'm sure everyone heard that Forbes Magazines voted the Penguin fans the best in the League. Well, we definitely earned it last night. It takes a special kind of fan to watch the Pukefest that took place at Mellon Arena last night. My Hatred for the Devil is the highest it has ever been, It's almost in the same ballpark as Philly right now. To be honest, Winning that game last night was not the biggest thing on my mind yesterday, It was just scoring a goal, Is that too much to ask? in 60 minutes of play score a goal. Don't get me wrong I have a lot of respect for Marty Brodeur and I wanted him to get his shut out record, I just didn't want it to happen against the Penguins. I only like the Pens associated with records that they accomplish, not the one accomplished against them.

the Devils opened up the Scoring early in the 1st period when Bryce Salvador (seriously) scored from the circle. Thats no joke, it was Salvador. Gonchar decided Fleury was getting an unfair advantage by being able to see the Puck so he sets a nice screen in front. When the devils score early, the rest of the game is pretty much worthless. The 1st period ended that way. 1-0 Devils.

The 2nd period didn't go very well. Goligoski was called for being stupid late in the 1st so the devils would start the 2nd period with the man advantage. yeah that went well. Some no name who can only score against the Penguins ruins the Chances of Maf being the starter for team Canada. The Following few minutes will go down as total domination. The Pens looked like a junior team. It actually looked like the Devils were shooting 3 different pucks at Fleury. I couldn't keep up with all the Rubber flying by him.

So with the Pens down 4-0 whats left? The Leafs and Sabres were playing over on versus. That one is heading into overtime. (The Sabres would get the game winner, dont ask me who scored it though.) You can't do that. I never once turned the Channel during a Pens game in my life, I decided to sit through this thing just hoping the Pens would get a lucky bounce and get on by Marty. The only one getting lucky was Brodeur. Crosby would hit the pipe late in the 3rd marking the first scoring chance the Pens would get in the game. There was 1:40 on the clock.

On a side note, I have been Practicing to do NHL Play by Play and who better to learn from than the great Paul Steigerwald, Seriously, I've been his worst critic at times but this guy is lights out this season. Stiegy with Errey? it doesn't get any better. Anyways this is what I know. When the Pens are on a power play this is what you say, "He Shoots it Wide", "He Shoots it Wide", "He Shoots it Wide", "He Shoots it Wide", "He Shoots it Wide", "He Shoots it Wide", "He Shoots it Wide", "He Shoots it Wide", "He Shoots it Wide". Sometimes throw in Malkin and you can handle a Pens power play.

**The scary part is we will meet these guys in the spring.

**Jordan Staal is a beast. Did anyone expect him to finish that game.

** "Not as hard as Hobey Baker went down, though. He went down in a plane crash." That was Epic.

**Congrats Marty Brodeur, it would be hard to argue that there ever was a Goalie better than him........Hasek and Roy?

Go Pens

It's All Good

2009-12-16T09:05:00.006-05:00

What is Wrong with this Flyers team? I'm about as far from a Flyers fan as one can get and I don't really buy into this team having "so much Talent", but i do agree that they should at least stand a chance to win a game or 2. Last night marked the 2nd game of the season between the Flyers and the Pens. The Pens won both games, the first was a tight 5-4 game, but last night was just brutal. The Pens just manhandled the Flyers from the drop of the Puck.

All this top Talent that the Flyers seem to have didn't show up last night. Where was the worlds best Captain Mike Richards at. If you ask me to name one thing he did last night I would have trouble because I dont Remember seeing him. Jeff Carter, a 40 goal scorer, Rang one off the pipe and got run over by Crhis Kunitz, Scott Hartnell took his usual dumbass penalty late in the game to ensure the Flyers defeat. I've said it about the Flyers before, you can win as many fights as you want, but at the end of the day, thats all it will be. I dont even want to bring up thier goaltending issue. Goaltending wins championships and right now the Flyers aren't even close to having it.

It is the 1st game of a Home and Home for the Pens and Flyers and if the Flyers continue this way it will be a long week for them. Now this post might make it look like I care about the direction the Flyers are going, don't let it full you, The downward spiral that Philly is something that lights up my day like nothing else, But it's hard to continue a rivalry that has been so one sided for 3 seasons now. I guess if the Flyers continue to goon it up every game that will keep a healthy hatred going but it has nothing to do with me worrying about losing to the Flyers anymore. Maybe the front office may consider changing more than just the head coach. Maybe try to win games instead of trying to beat your opponent into submission. The days of throwing your weight and pushing hockey teams around are over. Now it seems you have to have a little talent to go along with the Grit.

Our Friends At Bestonium

Is anyone even going to watch the game on Thursday?

Go Pens

It's Not that We Need the Help But Thank You

2009-12-11T07:43:00.003-05:00

Sometimes you get the bounces and sometimes you don't. Last night the Pens got one very important bounce, or very important quick whistle. The Pens and Carey Price put on a show last night in Montreal. It will go down as one of the more entertaining games of the season so far.

The Montreal Candiens for the most part had no business being in this game. Habs Goalie Carey Price unexpectedly held the fort and kept the Candiens in it. The Pens through 41 shots with Price stopping 38 of them. Price was active playing the puck all night also. I thought that was one of the low points of his game but he managed to do it well last night. Now if he works on that glove side it might be something.

Gonchar opened p the scoring in the middle of the first period stuffing a beautiful pass from Bill Guerin behind Price and giving the Pens that ever so important 1st goal of the game. Both the Habs and the Pens have an impressive record when scoring the 1st goal. The Score would stay 1-0 until the 2nd period when the Habs potted to goals to take the lead, actually the Habs scored on their first shot of the 2nd period which didnt happen until the 10 minute mark. At this point the Penguin Domination would fall off a bit. The Momentum was switching to the Montreal side. The third shot for the Habs would also elude Fleury somehow and give the Habs a 2-1 lead. That would be the last goal the habs scored, the last goal that would count for them anyways. Matt Cooke tied the game late in the 2nd period, deflecting a Gonchar slapshot from the point.

It sounded like most of the Montreal fans would like to forget about what happened in the third period. Not only did the take 1,000 Penalties, which if your playing the Pens is a good defensive strategy, the refs waved off what clearly was the go ahead goal. Seems like Fleury wasn't the only one that lost sight of the puck in the crease, The Ref blew the whistle on what was clearly a loose puck. I'm not Homer enough to say Fleury had that puck covered, but I am Homer enough to say I'll take it. The constant "boos" the rest of the game and I think a shoe made to the ice surface at one point, would prove motivation for Pascal Dupuis to Put a shot through Price for the game winner.

quit bitching about the no goal, shit happens move on.

Go Pens

IT was Bound To Happen

2009-12-08T11:26:00.005-05:00

It was a night of firsts for the Carolina Hurricanes. Alberts gets his first goal since California Seals changed their name to the Oakland Seals, but not only that, last night marked the first road victory for the Hurricanes since the Semi finals of last years playoffs. thats 1 win in 16 tries or something. Like I always say around here, if it's gonna happen for the first time, is gonna happen against Pittsburgh.

The Penguins came out flat in the first period and were not prepared for the offensive Juggernaut that is the Carolina Hurricanes. The Pens just decided to let the Canes dictate the play for most of, if not all, of the first period. It's just something that shouldn't happen to a far more superior team. Bill Guerin tried his luck against Tim Gleason to maybe ignite the the Pens. Guerin might have ended up on top, but if you ask me he took an ass whoopin. The Ass whoopin did work for the rest of the period, and even into the 2nd before Whitney made it an embarrassing 3-0 Carolina. The kid deciding enough was enough, puts the team on his back, as he does far more times than he should need to, puts the Pens on the board about 6 minutes into the middle period, making the score a, still embarrassing but not as much, 3-1 canes. 49 seconds later none other than Mike Rupp pulls the Pens within 1. Rupp is making Ray Shero look like more of a genius than he already is. At this point did anyone think the Canes even stood a chance to win the game. The Pens are down by 1 in the middle of the 2nd, put it in the books, the Pens win this one. Not this time though, the Mike Rupp goal would be the final goal scored and the Pens fall 3-2 against the Canes.

It wasn't without great chances for the pens. in the final 30 minutes of play the Pens did manage 2 failed power plays. All the message boards and chat sites are calling for Mike Yeo's head. He just doesn't know what he's doing. Well, How about Malkin not cough the puck up every time he touches it. He was just not on at all last night. Their were glimpses of him at times, but i found myself in the 3rd period screaming at the TV "don't give to Malkin he'll cough it up. Guerin almost tied it up late in the 2nd but it took him 25 minutes to settle the puck giving Gleason time to get his stick in the way. It's alright, The older you get the slower you get, 10 years ago thats money.

2 points you waste now is 2 points you don't have in March and the Pens definitely wasted 2 points.

Letestu is heading back to WBS. He was called up for the Crosby injury. he had a good game against the Hawks, we will see this kid again.

Fatso tied Terry Sawchuck with 103 career shutouts against the Sabres last night. a 22 save shut out.

The Leaders in Goonery lost another game last night. I know, it's not really big news but isn't it great seeing the Flyers struggle. How about getting a goalie?

Talk about Hockey Player being tough, The Islanders Brendon Witt Was hit by an F'ing car and is still planning on playing tonight. Its seems Philly will do anything to get an advantage right now. Paying fans to run over the opposing team is about as low as you can go. Stay Classy Philly.

Alex Ovechkin returns after a 2 game suspension and scores 2 goals for the Caps. Maybe the Flyers can arrange to get him hit by a car. Their would be nothing he could do to retaliate, you can't take a car out at the knees.

Next up The Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. Go Pens

A Finals Peview?

2009-12-07T08:35:00.002-05:00

The Pens lost to the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 in OT on saturday night. It was a pretty even contest with both goalies coming up huge for thier respective teams. Hossa started out the goal knocking in a rebound past Fleury. Do we still hate this guy? I firmly believe if we would have signed him we wouldn't have made the finals last year. The Pens got too many key players because Hossa elected to sign with the Wings. We all know how that worked out.

Jordan Staal tied the game late in the 3rd period ensuring that the we would get a point. The OT period didnt work out so well, Verteeg scored with minutes in giving the Cocky little bastards the win. It was a good game, maybe I have my "Homer Glasses on but, in my opinion the Pens put it to them. Antti Niemi? Who the hell is this guy. Whoever he is , thats the only reason the Hawks won. Don't worry Chicago, we will see you again. Nothing like starting a friendly new rival in the west, It was the Wings but they suck now, time to move on.

One more thing to bring up, When is Campbell gonna hand down the 2 game suspension to Duncan Keith. It was a blatant hit to the head of a guy who just came back from a suspension for the same kind of hit, Or will he not get suspended because afterall he did hit Matt Cooke, Not really a super star.

In other NHL news the Philadelphia Flyers have fired their head coach John Stevens. Peter Laviolette will take over and be the leader of the Goon Squad. What happens in his first game? An ass whooping to the tune of 8-2 by the Wasjington Capitals, Not only that Phil Carcillo gets handed a 4 game suspension for jumping Matt Bradley. When are these Flyers going to realize, your not going to go far playing undisciplined Goon Hockey, The Days of the Broad street bullies are over. The NHL has changed. Another good idea would be to find yourself a good goalie. Instead they waste the Salary cap on a Used up has been like Chris Pronger. Ray Emery isn't going to get you far either. Maybe next year Philly!!

Tonight the Slumping Carolina Hurricanes. Jordan Staal has a brother on that team I think.

Go Steelers.....OOPS

Go Pens

Maybe it wasn't Right, but I'll Take

2009-12-04T09:42:00.003-05:00

The Pens beat the Av's last night 4-1 in a game that was a lot closer than what the score shows. Two empty net goals at the end to rack up some fantasy stats. Sid had another big game, scoring the Pens 1st and last goal and assisting on the the game winner which was scored by Bill Geurin. Sid is on some kind of run right now, 11 points in the last 3 games, 19 goals already this season, almost unheard of. Jordan Staal added an empty netter at the end also.

Maybe the most Bizzarre play of the game. The Av's clearly had the go ahead goal in the 2nd period, but the ref blew the whistle killing the play before the puck crossed the line, actually you can't even say that, the puck crossed the line before the whistle. I'm sure it's all over the message boards about how the refs gave it to the pens and bettman wants Crosby to win, I don't even bother giving the morons the time of day anymore.

Anyone but Detroit (that is a great name) has a good view from the other side. I must agree with him on the "intent to blow the whistle" thing.

A win is a win is 2 points

Go Pens