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.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Olympic Break
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Bad times get Worse
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
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
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
He Shoots It Wide
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
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
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
It's All Good
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
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
Friday, December 11, 2009
It's Not that We Need the Help But Thank You
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
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
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
IT was Bound To Happen
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
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
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