OK, I'm a little pissed because everything I wrote got deleted, so I have to write it again. So forgive the bad mood. here goes: This in response, in fact a rebuttal, to Vince's last post.
Regarding bandwagon fans, there are numerous of them out there, and it is extremely annoying when listening to those who can't name a player beyond Crosby, Malkin, or Fleury, and shout completely inaccurate praises and criticisms. However, this comes with the territory and it happens to any team in any city, I have witnessed it in every sport. As it is, the Pens have many real fans and always have, even during those years when they were nearly moving and bereft of talent. There is nothing wrong with the way that the city has embraced the team and enjoyed the runs of the last couple of years. It has quite simply being a great atmosphere around town. The Penguins are a young, hip, and tech-savvy organization that has managed to both increase its fan base and improve its interaction with them.
Vince, clearly you know nothing about hockey; as in any sport there are many times to cheer besides a score. You have succumbed to the cliche bashing of the NHL, which is usually in vogue among many sports commentators. But like most, there is no intelligible argument, and you don't even give it a chance. I realize that it can be difficult to follow the puck, and hockey can be difficult to understand, but no more so than any other sport. There are many criticisms I have of the NHL as an organization and the coverage of it, but there is no rhyme or reason to your attacks of the game. If you don't like hockey that's fine, not everybody can like every single sport. However, there is no logical base to your rails against hockey, so please stop. Let the rest of us enjoy this great game.
STANLEY CUP FINALS GAME 6 tonight 8PM Mellon Arena
Showing posts with label Penguins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Penguins. Show all posts
Jun 2, 2009
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a series...
2-1, Detroit's series lead has been cut in half as Pittsburgh takes down the Red Wings 3-2. Detroit is still the favorite to win this series, but Pittsburgh has made it more interesting.
Before going to the Pens, I want to talk about Detroit first, because they played a solid game tonight. Detroit probably feels the same way the Pens felt in the first two game, thinking "We played well enough to win, but couldn't get it done." Detroit did two main things right tonight.
First, Detroit played Detroit Red Wing hockey, at least in the first two periods. In the game they outshot Pittsburgh 29-21. Detroit outchanced Pittsburgh for at least most of the game, but they just could not put the puck in the net.
Second, Mike Babcock gets an A for getting his matchup of Zetterberg on Crosby. Every time Crosby was out for a faceoff, the center for Detroit skated almost directly to the bench to get Zetterberg on. Even though Crosby did get an assist tonight, it was on the powerplay where Zetterberg was not directly responsible for Crosby. However, Zetterberg, who was third star of the game, and his line - because everytime Crosby touched the puck, three defenders surrounded him - did an excellent job of neutralizing Crosby minus a few scattered chances.
Now on the Pittsburgh Penguins. They showed in the third period, not only can we play with the Detroit Red Wings, we can dominate the Detroit Red Wings. In that period, the Pens outshot the Wings 10-3, playing like they belong. The Red Wings constantly looked desperate in the third, but not the good desperation - like we must win - but the bad desperation - like oh crap, we're gonna lose.
A couple things that stuck out to me were things I talked about on Sunday night. First, after game 1 one thing to improve was the powerplay. How does 66.7% sound? "When you get an opportunity on the powerplay, you want to make the most of it, and tonight we did that," said captain Sidney Crosby, who had a powerplay assist on the game-winning goal. The Pens went 2-for-3 on the power play. "Special teams are huge this time of year," said defenseman Brooks Orpik after the game. The Pens were able to maintain pressure mainly because they kept possession in the zone. Pittsburgh was able to win faceoffs to keep the puck in the zone and did a great job not letting the puck out, as not to worry how they're going to get the puck back in the zone with the Wings neutral zone trap.
The next thing I'll talk about, I am going to take complete credit for, and not even Vince can take it away from me. The defenesmen played a HUGE role in this game. I talked last entry about using the defensemen rather than putting everything on the forwards below the goaline. But Kris Letang showed that he is the future for the Penguin defense with a couple of key contributions. First, a secondary assist on the first goal where he outstretched to keep the puck in the offensive zone for Max Talbot's first goal. Second, on a great shot through Chris Osgood's five hole to tie the game, and bring both the Pens and the crowd back to life. And who does the game winning goal go to? None other than Sergei Gonchar with a blistering slapshot over Osgood's glove hand. Tonight, the Pens powerplay gets an A+.
In the first period, both goalies gave up two goals with offense galore in the first 20 minutes. For the next two periods. Marc Andre Fleury became a true Stanley Cup Finals goaltender. The Flower, especially in the second period and the third after the go-ahead goal, turned away shot after shot after shot from the defending champs. I'm not defending what Fleury did (or didn't do) in the first two games, but in the final two periods tonight, Marc Andre Fleury showed why the Pens drafted him number 1 overall in 2003.
The Pens played horribly in the second period. "Obviously, we realized it wan't our best period," said defenseman Sergei Gonchar. They give up chance after chance and shot after shot to Detroit, but they came out of the period still tied. This allowed the Pens a chance to win, and Fleury a chance to shine. "We needed a great game from our special teams and our goaltender tonight," said Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma, "and we got them."
Final point, Malkin played like a man possessed. Three assists bumping his totals to a playoff-leading 20 assists and 33 points. After last season's Cup Finals debacle, Malkin has showed up in his biggest way in the playoffs, and surpassed Sidney Crosby as the Penguin's Conn Smythe front runner, if the Pens bring home the Cup. Without out Malkin tonight, this series and game are done.
Personally, I would say overall a good game for the Pens, but not everyone agrees with me. "We definitely could have played better," said Orpik after the game. Even though he believes they stole one tonight, he feels they can play better. I feel deja vu. After the first two games, Detroit was happy with the wins, but felt they could have played better. Now with game 3 in the books, the Pens have turned the tide with winning, but saying they could have played better.
Overall, the Pens got the brakes tonight. Detroit rattled a few off the post. The puck went in the net for Pittsburgh, as the Pens tonight doubled their goal output from the first two games. Hell, the Pens even played with an extra man on the ice for 21 seconds in the game. "With six guys we cycled the puck a little bit," laughed forward Max Talbot, who was the game's first star with two goals. The last two games, the puck bounced in the Red Wings favor, but tonight the Pens were the benefactors.
The Pens put it all together tonight. Great special teams, solid goaltending, dominating the opponent in the third, and the knowing this game was a must win. To be honest, game 4 is also a must win. If Pittsburgh goes down 3-1 to Detroit, it's hard to see them winning three-in-a-row to win the Cup. The series wouldn't be done, but it would be on life support.
But now only down 2-1 with a different team than last year. Game 4 should provide a great 60 minutes - or possibly more with overtime - of hockey between two great teams. Without question the NHL playoffs got it right this season, as these teams are the two best in hockey and are playing like it.
I'll be back Thursday night after game 4 with more on this series. Until then as always keep your head up when you're on the ice, either hit or be hit
Before going to the Pens, I want to talk about Detroit first, because they played a solid game tonight. Detroit probably feels the same way the Pens felt in the first two game, thinking "We played well enough to win, but couldn't get it done." Detroit did two main things right tonight.
First, Detroit played Detroit Red Wing hockey, at least in the first two periods. In the game they outshot Pittsburgh 29-21. Detroit outchanced Pittsburgh for at least most of the game, but they just could not put the puck in the net.
Second, Mike Babcock gets an A for getting his matchup of Zetterberg on Crosby. Every time Crosby was out for a faceoff, the center for Detroit skated almost directly to the bench to get Zetterberg on. Even though Crosby did get an assist tonight, it was on the powerplay where Zetterberg was not directly responsible for Crosby. However, Zetterberg, who was third star of the game, and his line - because everytime Crosby touched the puck, three defenders surrounded him - did an excellent job of neutralizing Crosby minus a few scattered chances.
Now on the Pittsburgh Penguins. They showed in the third period, not only can we play with the Detroit Red Wings, we can dominate the Detroit Red Wings. In that period, the Pens outshot the Wings 10-3, playing like they belong. The Red Wings constantly looked desperate in the third, but not the good desperation - like we must win - but the bad desperation - like oh crap, we're gonna lose.
A couple things that stuck out to me were things I talked about on Sunday night. First, after game 1 one thing to improve was the powerplay. How does 66.7% sound? "When you get an opportunity on the powerplay, you want to make the most of it, and tonight we did that," said captain Sidney Crosby, who had a powerplay assist on the game-winning goal. The Pens went 2-for-3 on the power play. "Special teams are huge this time of year," said defenseman Brooks Orpik after the game. The Pens were able to maintain pressure mainly because they kept possession in the zone. Pittsburgh was able to win faceoffs to keep the puck in the zone and did a great job not letting the puck out, as not to worry how they're going to get the puck back in the zone with the Wings neutral zone trap.
The next thing I'll talk about, I am going to take complete credit for, and not even Vince can take it away from me. The defenesmen played a HUGE role in this game. I talked last entry about using the defensemen rather than putting everything on the forwards below the goaline. But Kris Letang showed that he is the future for the Penguin defense with a couple of key contributions. First, a secondary assist on the first goal where he outstretched to keep the puck in the offensive zone for Max Talbot's first goal. Second, on a great shot through Chris Osgood's five hole to tie the game, and bring both the Pens and the crowd back to life. And who does the game winning goal go to? None other than Sergei Gonchar with a blistering slapshot over Osgood's glove hand. Tonight, the Pens powerplay gets an A+.
In the first period, both goalies gave up two goals with offense galore in the first 20 minutes. For the next two periods. Marc Andre Fleury became a true Stanley Cup Finals goaltender. The Flower, especially in the second period and the third after the go-ahead goal, turned away shot after shot after shot from the defending champs. I'm not defending what Fleury did (or didn't do) in the first two games, but in the final two periods tonight, Marc Andre Fleury showed why the Pens drafted him number 1 overall in 2003.
The Pens played horribly in the second period. "Obviously, we realized it wan't our best period," said defenseman Sergei Gonchar. They give up chance after chance and shot after shot to Detroit, but they came out of the period still tied. This allowed the Pens a chance to win, and Fleury a chance to shine. "We needed a great game from our special teams and our goaltender tonight," said Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma, "and we got them."
Final point, Malkin played like a man possessed. Three assists bumping his totals to a playoff-leading 20 assists and 33 points. After last season's Cup Finals debacle, Malkin has showed up in his biggest way in the playoffs, and surpassed Sidney Crosby as the Penguin's Conn Smythe front runner, if the Pens bring home the Cup. Without out Malkin tonight, this series and game are done.
Personally, I would say overall a good game for the Pens, but not everyone agrees with me. "We definitely could have played better," said Orpik after the game. Even though he believes they stole one tonight, he feels they can play better. I feel deja vu. After the first two games, Detroit was happy with the wins, but felt they could have played better. Now with game 3 in the books, the Pens have turned the tide with winning, but saying they could have played better.
Overall, the Pens got the brakes tonight. Detroit rattled a few off the post. The puck went in the net for Pittsburgh, as the Pens tonight doubled their goal output from the first two games. Hell, the Pens even played with an extra man on the ice for 21 seconds in the game. "With six guys we cycled the puck a little bit," laughed forward Max Talbot, who was the game's first star with two goals. The last two games, the puck bounced in the Red Wings favor, but tonight the Pens were the benefactors.
The Pens put it all together tonight. Great special teams, solid goaltending, dominating the opponent in the third, and the knowing this game was a must win. To be honest, game 4 is also a must win. If Pittsburgh goes down 3-1 to Detroit, it's hard to see them winning three-in-a-row to win the Cup. The series wouldn't be done, but it would be on life support.
But now only down 2-1 with a different team than last year. Game 4 should provide a great 60 minutes - or possibly more with overtime - of hockey between two great teams. Without question the NHL playoffs got it right this season, as these teams are the two best in hockey and are playing like it.
I'll be back Thursday night after game 4 with more on this series. Until then as always keep your head up when you're on the ice, either hit or be hit
May 31, 2009
Finally, hockey has come to the blog
This entry is solely to piss Vince off. Vince hates hockey. I love hockey. Deal with it.
So the Red Wings have taken a 2-0 lead on the Penguins in the Stanley Cup Finals for the 2nd straight year. As a Penguins fan, it sucks. Now as a hockey fan, this has been a great series so far. Even though the Red Wings have outscored Pittsburgh 6-2, there has been some extremely competative hockey. The final scores of 3-1 a piece don't reflect the passion, intensity, and drive that has defined this series.
Even though I obviously have a bias, the Penguins have simply had some bad bounces during this series. In game 1 Marc Andre Fleury scored two of three goals for the Wings, even though the Penguins outshot and outchanced the Red Wings, but could not put a puck in the net. Game 2, same story. Fleury didn't score any goals, but he gave up a soft goal in the 3rd period to Justin Abdelkader, who had a one-on-three in the Penguin defensive zone. During the game the Pens hit so many posts the bars hurt.
This isn't to take away from what the Red Wings have done. Detroit has been the same team they were last year, experienced, calm, skilled, and just all around great in every aspect of the game. More than that, everyone talked before the series about the old guys for Detriot. But this team has been drive by young guys like Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader, and Jonathan Ericcson (who had his appendix removed only a few days ago, talk about tough).
So now we move to game 3, back to Pittsburgh. Last year, game 3 gave Pittsburgh a little bit of life, a very little bit. A 3-2 victory brought the series closer at 2-1, but with such a young team, the series was already over at that point. This year it is a little different. The Penguins have shown they can come back from a 2-0 deficit, just ask Alexander Ovechkin when you see him on the golf course next week. But without question, the Pens face an uphill battle while coming home.
Pittsburgh faces a must win in game 3 against the Wings. At times they have played well enough to win. The key will be to get the puck in the net. Period. After game 1, it was the power play, and faceoffs. In game 2 the Pens won more faceoffs with the help of a dominant Sidney Crosby in the dot, and Pittsburgh went one-for-one on the powerplay. Now after game 2, the thought process is simply put the puck in the net.
Personally, I think the Pens are doing a lot of good. They're getting pucks deep, controlling in the offensive zone (not as much as they should, but it's still Detroit), and getting plenty of chances to score. The only thing I would suggest is for Pittsburgh to use their defensemen more. With a goalie like Chris Osgood, it's been shown you cannot beat him on the first shot. You beat Chris Osgood on the second and third shots. Detroit drops all five down in the zone against the three Pittsburgh forwards.
My suggestion, use the defensemen to get the puck to the net. When Detroit drops, it turns into a three-on-five. But if the puck goes out to the D, it's a 2-0 with the D having plenty of time. You have to use your defense as goal scorers, especially a guy like Sergei Gonchar. Once the puck goes up top, forwards...CRASH THE NET. If Osgood can't control the rebound, get a stick on it and put it toward the net again. If nothing else, it's something Osgood has to worry about, and the more stress you can put on him, the better.
The Pens still definitely have a chance in this series, a much better chance than last year at this time. But beating Detriot four times in the next four or five games is no easy task.
I'll be back Tuesday night after game 3 for more analysis. And more to annoy Vince. Until then keep your head up because out on the ice, it's hit or be hit.
So the Red Wings have taken a 2-0 lead on the Penguins in the Stanley Cup Finals for the 2nd straight year. As a Penguins fan, it sucks. Now as a hockey fan, this has been a great series so far. Even though the Red Wings have outscored Pittsburgh 6-2, there has been some extremely competative hockey. The final scores of 3-1 a piece don't reflect the passion, intensity, and drive that has defined this series.
Even though I obviously have a bias, the Penguins have simply had some bad bounces during this series. In game 1 Marc Andre Fleury scored two of three goals for the Wings, even though the Penguins outshot and outchanced the Red Wings, but could not put a puck in the net. Game 2, same story. Fleury didn't score any goals, but he gave up a soft goal in the 3rd period to Justin Abdelkader, who had a one-on-three in the Penguin defensive zone. During the game the Pens hit so many posts the bars hurt.
This isn't to take away from what the Red Wings have done. Detroit has been the same team they were last year, experienced, calm, skilled, and just all around great in every aspect of the game. More than that, everyone talked before the series about the old guys for Detriot. But this team has been drive by young guys like Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader, and Jonathan Ericcson (who had his appendix removed only a few days ago, talk about tough).
So now we move to game 3, back to Pittsburgh. Last year, game 3 gave Pittsburgh a little bit of life, a very little bit. A 3-2 victory brought the series closer at 2-1, but with such a young team, the series was already over at that point. This year it is a little different. The Penguins have shown they can come back from a 2-0 deficit, just ask Alexander Ovechkin when you see him on the golf course next week. But without question, the Pens face an uphill battle while coming home.
Pittsburgh faces a must win in game 3 against the Wings. At times they have played well enough to win. The key will be to get the puck in the net. Period. After game 1, it was the power play, and faceoffs. In game 2 the Pens won more faceoffs with the help of a dominant Sidney Crosby in the dot, and Pittsburgh went one-for-one on the powerplay. Now after game 2, the thought process is simply put the puck in the net.
Personally, I think the Pens are doing a lot of good. They're getting pucks deep, controlling in the offensive zone (not as much as they should, but it's still Detroit), and getting plenty of chances to score. The only thing I would suggest is for Pittsburgh to use their defensemen more. With a goalie like Chris Osgood, it's been shown you cannot beat him on the first shot. You beat Chris Osgood on the second and third shots. Detroit drops all five down in the zone against the three Pittsburgh forwards.
My suggestion, use the defensemen to get the puck to the net. When Detroit drops, it turns into a three-on-five. But if the puck goes out to the D, it's a 2-0 with the D having plenty of time. You have to use your defense as goal scorers, especially a guy like Sergei Gonchar. Once the puck goes up top, forwards...CRASH THE NET. If Osgood can't control the rebound, get a stick on it and put it toward the net again. If nothing else, it's something Osgood has to worry about, and the more stress you can put on him, the better.
The Pens still definitely have a chance in this series, a much better chance than last year at this time. But beating Detriot four times in the next four or five games is no easy task.
I'll be back Tuesday night after game 3 for more analysis. And more to annoy Vince. Until then keep your head up because out on the ice, it's hit or be hit.
Apr 8, 2009
Pens in Playoffs, The Pirates aren't going undefeated, and Jamie Dixon is Coach of the Year
The Penguins clinched at least the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference of the NHL playoffs with a 6-4 victory over Tampa Bay. Sidney Crosby had two goals, and Evgeni Malkin had two assists. The Pens are currently in sixth and would play the Devils in the first rounds if the standings hold. With two games left to play, the Pens trail Carolina by 2 points and Philadelphia by 2 points but the Flyers have three games left to play. Most likely, the Pens will end up facing either the Devils or the Flyers in the first round. Both are challenging opponents, but with the way the Pens are playing right now, I like their chances in what should be a very intriguing and exciting first round matchup.
After opening the season with a thrilling 6-4 ninth inning rally over St. Louis on Monday, the Pirates performed in a more typical fashion by falling 9-3 on Tuesday night. So much for the 173-0 season (I was going to make t-shirts), but nine teams are still keeping the dream alive. Anyway here are some quick early season observations on my Buccos, who are still on pace for 81-81: Nyjer Morgan is hitting, stealing, and scoring runs so far, and I guess that’s a good sign. Freddy Sanchez had a good couple of games too, and Jack Wilson had a clutch hit in the first game. Wonder if they will be traded anytime soon. Andy LaRoche sucks in the field. It has been 2 games, but come on he’s on pace for 243 errors. I miss Bay and Nady, but we will have to wait to see how last year’s big trades work out (but can we for once at least hit on half of the players we got?) That’s about it. It’s early. I’m glad that baseball’s here. I’m looking forward to nice weather, days at the ballpark, wishing the Outback was still at PNC Park, fireworks, bobbleheads, and trying to catch home runs. Maybe even some by the Pirates. At least once in while.
Jamie Dixon was named the Naismith Coach of the Year. It’s great to see him get the national recognition he deserves and without it being tied to some other coaching job. He has done an amazing job over the past six-years. As heart breaking as the ending was (the image may be forever burned into the psyches of the players, coaches, and fans), this was arguably the greatest season in Pitt basketball history. We all need to appreciate this season, and cherish the incredible memories. Hopefully, more to come on that later in the form of written and video tribute. For now, we wait to hear if DeJuan Blair is entering the draft, and hope for the future successes of all the departing Panthers. It is likely that we will be able to cheer on Blair and Sam Young on NBA draft day, and hopefully in the league in the years ahead. And know that we have a stellar coach to lead our future teams.
After opening the season with a thrilling 6-4 ninth inning rally over St. Louis on Monday, the Pirates performed in a more typical fashion by falling 9-3 on Tuesday night. So much for the 173-0 season (I was going to make t-shirts), but nine teams are still keeping the dream alive. Anyway here are some quick early season observations on my Buccos, who are still on pace for 81-81: Nyjer Morgan is hitting, stealing, and scoring runs so far, and I guess that’s a good sign. Freddy Sanchez had a good couple of games too, and Jack Wilson had a clutch hit in the first game. Wonder if they will be traded anytime soon. Andy LaRoche sucks in the field. It has been 2 games, but come on he’s on pace for 243 errors. I miss Bay and Nady, but we will have to wait to see how last year’s big trades work out (but can we for once at least hit on half of the players we got?) That’s about it. It’s early. I’m glad that baseball’s here. I’m looking forward to nice weather, days at the ballpark, wishing the Outback was still at PNC Park, fireworks, bobbleheads, and trying to catch home runs. Maybe even some by the Pirates. At least once in while.
Jamie Dixon was named the Naismith Coach of the Year. It’s great to see him get the national recognition he deserves and without it being tied to some other coaching job. He has done an amazing job over the past six-years. As heart breaking as the ending was (the image may be forever burned into the psyches of the players, coaches, and fans), this was arguably the greatest season in Pitt basketball history. We all need to appreciate this season, and cherish the incredible memories. Hopefully, more to come on that later in the form of written and video tribute. For now, we wait to hear if DeJuan Blair is entering the draft, and hope for the future successes of all the departing Panthers. It is likely that we will be able to cheer on Blair and Sam Young on NBA draft day, and hopefully in the league in the years ahead. And know that we have a stellar coach to lead our future teams.
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