Great Game at the Barn

The antidote to viagra!! Can somebody give me something sharp for my eyes?? Our whole section seemed to be disturbed by this image, sorry folks!

Though the outcome was not what we would like, the game was everything we had expected. Two quality teams playing passionate, fast paced hockey with great goaltending at both ends of the rink. You can not draw any conclusions from a game in early December, but what the hell else would I write about given the fact that many believe the Hawks will take the next step and represent the Western conference in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Hawks were playing the second night of a back to back while traveling from Chicago to Pittsburgh BUT they were playing the Stanley Cup Champs, and certainly looked to this game as a measuring stick for their development, so lets call it a wash...............and the Pens were missing SIGNIFICANT firepower, Crosby, Goligoski and Kunitz out of the lineup. My short conclusion is that first, there is no guarantee we come out of the East and make it to the Finals, but IF both teams arrive at that destination I saw nothing that leads to me believe that we would not handle the Hawks in a seven game series. That said, of course we would have to MAKE it there, as would they, both teams health would factor in, and we do not know what either team could do at the trading deadline, but I can tell you that leaving Hosebag one series short of the prize for the third year in a row would be REALLY great. On a personal note, Ben Eager is still sensitive about the ass whipping he took at the hands of Gary Roberts a couple of years ago. I happened to mention to him that Gary said hello as Ben was leaving the ice between periods and he offered to fornicate me or something along those lines......I was hurt and confused as that offer did not really seem sincere. So in an attempt to make up with him on his way out for the second period, I mentioned that it was ok, Gary was getting a NEW punching bag for Christmas, and he offered to fornicate me again, RIGHT there on the spot no less, and then to hurt me in some really torturous ways.............I am deeply saddened by our inability to see things eye to eye, Ben! Cant we all just get along? Heres to hoping the Pens and Hawks meet in June and Hosebag tastes bitter disappointment again, along with my new pal Ben! Go Pens!!

On a final note, two things:

First, Jonathan Toews, like Sid and Geno is worth the price of admission alone, and second, as a longtime fan of the Hawks, finding out they signed Hossa was like finding out my friend shit in my living room! Sad but True!

Wines Hard-classless, selfish putz

Hey Ward, you classless douchebag, what good did you think would come of this commentary? Who are you to question this guy's courage or decision to play based on a medical issue? I am no Roethlisberger fan off the field, I can tell you that........But, on the field, the guy has been money, and he ALWAYS takes the blame for any loss, even when selfish egomaniacal fools like Ward have miscues, Ben ALWAYS take the blame. He has played through many severe injuries in the past, and if his headaches from exertion in practice this week rendered him unable to play, then so be it. To call him out publicly will hurt this time, as it will hurt the relationship between Ward and Ben, and it will divide the locker room as well. At a time when the team needs to come together, one of its veterans and supposed leaders makes a stupid remark questioning the toughness of one of the toughest guys on the team. I for one, do not care what Wards skills still may be, he is a cancer in the locker room and showed what many have suspected for a long time in the light of day.....he is a selfish player, and I have joined the ranks of many who PRAY some safety lights this guy up and he needs carried off the field............

Nice Win-An explosion was due

Great game by Sid tonite! 3 goals and 5 points total!

The biggest Ass Clown in the NHL! The Penguins disposed of Avery the pooh crumb and his band of merry men tonite..........Finally, an offensive explosion with the talents of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and the young defensive corps shining through! Finally, the play of Pascal Dupuis has been tremendous this year........you have to love his speed, energy and penalty kill prowess even when you are frustrated with his lack of "finish." With 7 goals already this season, he is pacing for 18-20 goals this season........with Dupers other skills any season with 15 or more goals from him is a real bonus. Finally, the depth of young talent on the blue line is amazing. Despite hating the loss of so many defensemen this season, the long term by product is the knowledge that Lovejoy and Engelland can play at the NHL level if necessary NOW, and the organization is high on first pick Simon Despres, believing he could make the club next year. Given the number of UFAs on the Pens blue line next year(Letang, Gonchar, McKee, Easton, and Skoula), this depth will be a big factor for this club. It is also significant that Martin Skoula has fit in so well, as he should be the most cost effective signing out of the group above. In my opinion, Letang is the must sign of this group for next year...................Get ready for a rough rematch Monday night!

The NHL is a JOKE

I hate the Wings and their fans........ A LOT! That said, how can you take a league seriously that allows this kind of travesty at all, much less a game tying goal? The puck is clearly in the net, the idiots in Toronto clearly can see it, and the puck is in the net prior to the whistle blowing..........joke.............Buttman is lucky the fans love the GAME, and their TEAMS, because his LEAGUE is the worst officiated league by far in all of pro sports. I was able to get post game photos of last nights referees for future reference.

This is a Big One

The Penguins got a star back, but lost yet another key player for a few weeks in Kunitz. But this Pens game is the type of game that COULD spark a team to another great streak. The Pens battled all night, took a lead in the third period twice, lost the lead after a weak call to give the Bruins a long 5 on 3, then fell behind very late in the game.........with about 5 seconds left in the game, Crosby steals the puck after a broken stick play by the Bruins, passes to Malkin who finds Guerin flying down the wing..........Guerin buries it with .4 seconds left to tie the game!!!! Dupuis ends it for the Pens early in OT off of a nice behind the net play by Jordan Staal. This was taking 2 pts when it seemed as if that could never happen, and highlighted the energy and attitude we had seen in this team since Bylsma took over last February, minus the past 3 games. I liked it for several reasons:

Lovejoy and Engelland did not look out of place on the blue line, nor did Letestu at forward;
Several players who NEEDED to step up did including Crosby with 3 pts, Staal chipping in, Guerin getting a big goal, defensemen like McKee and Eaton scoring, and DUPER putting in 2 big goals........If we get to late March and the Pens are 2 pts ahead for the final home ice slot in the playoffs, remember this game..................And again, the Goose was Loose!!!!!!!!!

Again? Are you kidding me???

Okay, Okay, enough with the rough patch now! The loss of Orpik on top of Letang and Gonchar to the defensive corps for any length of time will be UGLY. We need some bodies to get healthy, and some of the healthy bodies to play better.............I love Sid the Kid, but I keep expecting to see some semblance of what Geno did while Sid was on the shelf two years ago, and so far in the past several games, nothing of the sort. Five games without a point......we need the Captain to contribute more offensively. Same for Staal, Guerin, and Kunitz for sure. I realize we are the walking wounded, but come on, we have now been outscored 12-1 in the last seven periods of hockey...............OUCH! Nobody said it would be easy, but man, what a difference a week makes in the NHL! Lets go Pens, time to wake up from your pre Thanksgiving slumber! Thursday would work for me!!

Steelers Defense and 28-10 over the Broncos

The Steelers are now 6-2. They are tied with the Bengals in the AFC North, but due to their early season loss, they are technically in second place. How big is this Sundays game v the Bengals? HUGE! These last two wins make the games against Cleveland and Detroit where we struggled to beat perennial cellar dwellers seem like a long time ago. The running game has been revived by Rashard Mendenhall and an offensive line that is suddenly very physical. Teh defenese is back to creating turnovers and general havoc, and the emergence of Mike Wallace gives Big Ben more weapons to choose from than ever before. Lets see what happens Sunday! Oh, and click on the heading above for a great tribute to the Steelers' defense.