Moved

I have gotten extra busy the last few weeks. I had been double posting my blog on two boards, and even though it looks better here.. I am only posting it over at http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/DeathByEmu

It was a pain because i have to re-insert the photos not just cut and paste. Plus, I can't cut and paste from this board.

Go Pens!

Pens Go Up 3-0 In the Eastern Conference Finals!
You know who is backstage warming up....

I know we all would love to see them end this in Pittsburgh..but you also know you want to take the Eastern Conference in front of those wonderful fans in Philly. You have to consider that they may launch D-cell batteries at the Penguins if they clinch in the Wachovia Center. That's right. I said it. I mean, they showered Malkin with concession food in a midseason game...

...If the Pens take the Whales trophy in their house, they may toss the cotton candy guy himself onto the ice.
.......................
Last night was an excellent show by the Pens. Nearly flawless. The refs were hook-happy against both sides in the first... then swallowed their whistles. It's a day later, you know how the game went.

Coach Stevens' dressing Steve Downie again..it paid off big time. Thanks! Two game clinching goals is too much to ask from any Flyer, but the man came through for us in the clutch!
Funny, I didn't hear the Philadelphia..err..Versus announcers point out that Downie's late hit on Sykora was a cheap shot and should have been a penalty..you know, the way everyone likes pointing out every non-call the Pens get. Way to stay objective, tools. When hockey is over, no one will watch your useless channel again until fall.

Let's close this out Thursday, boys! Keep your head up and your eyes open, and put them out of our misery!
Go Pens!

Pens take two game lead into Philly!!

No goal?
Why not?
oh ya.

Hey, like I always say, things have a way of evening out.
Yes, Sid had that second goal. Yes, they waved it off. No, Hatcher probably didn't desrve that hooking on Malkin.
Even trade up...Pens got a goal out of it. Go cry.

It was a much nastier game Sunday, as we all thought it would be. The Flyers threw the book at the Pens and came up short.

Kennedy fought, but it was Gill that dropped a man with a puck to the face.

Richards made Geno throw up on that shortiegoal. ( he was a mess from then on, too)

Ruutu got called for diving on one of the few plays he didn't dive. Seriously, I saw him flop a half dozen times during the game from just running into people. But getting punched in the mush must not be good enough reason .

But, like I said..it always evens out.
The pens took it all and came out on top. That's what matters.

Some ass-munch 'reporter' actually had the idiocy to ask Sid if he had a 'comment on all the reports of you getting preferencial treatment from the refs'
After that no-goal? Had the guy watched the game, or was he in the Flyer locker room sniffing their jocks the whole time? What an idiot with an idiot's sense of timing.

And yea, Malkin laid an elbow into Danny boy. Can I say this? I think he meant the elbow...but I don't think to the head. lil Dan's head is at Geno's elbow height. That's just a hit to some one else the same size. Eh. I dunno. There were shots like that going on all over the ice on both sides. Stop pointing at one shot.
In Malkin's defense, he probably didn't see Briere..as he's been invisble for both games. now.

Game three will be just like last night, only there will be 20 thousand food and drink throwing loudmouths there to scare the refs. I think hoping for a split there is a worthy goal, then home after Thursday up 3-1.

Wachovia Center

Big deal tonight. It's the Flyers last best chance, if that makes sense. They lose..it's as good as over and they know it. They win, and they will have enough momentum to make this a seven game series.
The Flyers and coach Stevens have been holding their head high, never one to complain about anything. (i.e. refs, Crosby, penalties, Malkin, Briere, favoritism, etc.)
That last sentence was typed with more sarcasm than i can possibly convey. If you have read or seen any news since Sunday, you heard this:

Hey..Coach Stevens, if you want lil Danny B. to be treated like 'superstar', tell him to dress up for the game this time. The only time he has been seen so far has been when he sighted in the penalty box, and when Malkin's elbow found him.

The rest of the team, or what's left of them, will be playing hardball tonight, though, we know that. They are good. They are playing with the same desperation the Pens had a few months back when they were decimated by injuries. The Flyers were getting extra chippy Sunday, and the crowd will get them going tonight for sure.
(by the way..I hate the term 'decimated'. It's wayyy over used. You know it means 'to lose 10% of your team/army/animals or whatever'? So, if you have 20 players and are 'decimated by injures'..you lost two guys. Sorry..pet peeve rant)

If the Pens can withstand that opening flurry, they have a great chance of stealing this one. .IF.
Let's Go!
....................
Today, I heard Andrew Ferrence flapping his gums on Home Ice (apparently the 1000+ NHL'ers more talented than him were all busy) about Sid Crosby.
He said that he and 'most other players' like Ovechkin better than Crosby. What the hell kind of third grade 'he's not allowed in our club' kind of baby crap is that? "Alex says 'nice hit' if you get him good, and Sid doesn't like it if you hit him." he babbled. What a clown. Ovechkin doesn't like it either. Nobody likes to get mashed into the boards. Some just use it as motivation. A.O. seems to be like that. I'll give him his due.
Then i got to thinking. Why the hell is Ferret Face even running his mouth about Sid? The light bulb went on, and I went to look for something I just remembered. And i found it.
://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbUMnebOizc&feature=related
For a guy that can't take a hit..Sid sure took your girlie punches, joke. He may not be George Laraque, but he sure planted a few on your bloody melon.
........
I will be in cognito at a Philly location to watch the game tonight. Or if i get ornery between now and then, I may just put on the ol' Ruutu shirt and see what happens....
Go Pens!!

Pens vs. Flyers Game two

Tough one tonight.

You know the Flyers are gonna come out swinging for the fences tonight. Just like Dallas did last night. Hopefully the Penguins weather the storm like Detroit did

.
I'm sure Coach Stevens ripped the whole team a new one. (which is good, because Orpik and Malkin had their old one worn out!) They should come out spitting nails. I'm not quite sure where all the heavy hitters were Friday for them.

Hatcher was invisible until Geno facewashed him at the end of the game.

Steve Hartnell (above) spent half the game looking up at Brooks Orpik.

Richards was so busy hitting after the first period, that he forgot about that little puck thingie.

I still think the Pens will be ok. They have to be loving the scoring chances, not having Lundquist in net this series.

Hopefully, the Pens watched the Red Wings/Stars game last night, and they know what they need to finish this run.....play seven more games just like that one they played Friday night.
Go Pens!

You know, I listened to and read many series previews this week. All sides and sources..but one point was consistant from every media source NOT from Pittsburgh.
They all said Malkin was soft. That's right. Soft. Hit him early and he will go away, was the trendy idea. That was all the Flyers had to do, was to hit Evgeni hard and everything would be okay...

Wonder if they had a 'Plan B'

Well, it's obvious the refs aren't in the mood to decide this series.
But that's okay. We really wouldn't want it that way anyway.

Brief Synopsis of Game One:

Malkin was insane. Scoring, hitting, PP, PK, stealing, passing. His 2nd goal is the nicest I've seen in ages. His five hits was second only to Orpik's six.

Sykora made a beauty himself.

Crosby looks alot faster. The break seemed to have done him good. Had a nice re-direct goal.

Hossa was busy all game, looked good.

Orpik..well..he's the Hulk.

Wow. Dumberger's kids are gonna be born with #44 birthmarks.

And Marc Andre..just like the team..was shaky in the first..then turned red hot. Good job.

Flyers good points..

Richards was scary good at first. That 2nd goal of his was a nice one. Later, he turned to just hitting though. Of course, he still found time to cry to the refs.

Umberger tried..the Pens kept good track of him this game, though.

Hatcher..same clown we love to hate.

Biron..well he didn't have it tonight.

The only 'Dive' was by Upshall.

And Briere..wait..did he play tonight? I didn't notice. heh heh.

Oldie, but still a goodie. (that may my favorite Pensblog photoshop of all!)

See you Sunday, Flyers. Whooooooo!
Go Pens!

Pens vs. Flyers Eastern Series Starts Tonight!

Don’t Sing It. Bring It .

At last, it begins.
your "Ya Flyer Scum Video" link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH1ElPoPGSE
A long week of players playing nicey-nice to the reporters, trying not to supply inspiration to the opponents. Five days of dopes (like me) posting their idiotic blather all over the internet. Since Monday, we have waited.
And now it’s here.

(politcal message of the day brought to you by Gary Freaking Roberts)

Respect is there and evident in both locker rooms. But that’s where it stops. No friendliness will be found between these teams. It’s all business.

The Flyers fans have already lined up their excuses for when things go bad. They have already used up diving, blind refs, and injuries. They must have an Ace excuse tucked up their sleeve, because they have emptied the six-shooter before they have even played one game.

‘Diving’ is an interesting put-down. Funny they don’t mention that their Captain Richards tends to flop like a fish on hot pavement.

And the poor reffing conspiracy. They had a point there. And to prove it, they committed OVER FIFTY PENALTIES IN TWELVE GAMES. Ya, maybe don’t do that. Because if Montreal didn’t go blind on every power play, tonight’s game would be against the Habs. I fully expect the cheap shots to start fast and early against Hossa, Sid, and Geno. The little sniper stick rakes, slashes, and pokes. The little elbows and knees and roughs. But it’s not going to save them. And they know it.
In Philly, Timmo is out with a blood clot in his ankle. That was the Flyers best shot at defending Geno and Sykie. Will the rest of the team step up? We’ll just see. I remember Flyer fans wanting to hear nothing about it when half of the Pens were on the shelf. Was no excuse they said. Ok, your turn.

This was a long week. I’m glad it’s over. The bad blood is about to come to a full boil. BG Laraque and Jarkko are going to be ready.
Found this over at the Pensblog..classic:

Jokeberger..will he do his usual or will the Pens dedicate to shutting him down? Briere, the little sneaky elven thief, will the Pens let him sneak in to the side of the crease like he has been doing, looking for a quickie? Some one need to give him a solid blast first time he tries. Hatcher is going to be a pain. On and on..we all know the drill.
Coach T. and the Penguins do too.

Look on the bright side, Flyer fans.. you should be thanking the Pens for ‘throwing’ that last regular season game, otherwise you would never have gotten out of the first round.
You’re Welcome. Tools.

Doomsday Eve, Phlyerboys

Doomsday Eve For Philadelphia

The Reaper Is Coming for You Flyer Clowns.

All the unoriginal babbling has been rising expectantly from Flyer media and fanbase.
They have begun jumping on the Ranger’s “Dive” bandwagon. They have begun the conspiracy talk.
They have begun to spew forth excuses already. It seems they are expecting to lose. Why else would you start the crying? And, perhaps, they should find whatever golf course Brian Murray and Jaromir Jagr are playing on right now, and ask them just how the “Whining and Crying” game plan worked against the Pens. Heh heh.
And, go right on with all the diving talk, who cares? They, just like Ottawa and New York, are focusing on the wrong guy. They need to worry about Malkin, Hossa, and Fleury before Sid. Sid just finds the open men and racks up assists (like a machine). So maybe try not letting any open men for him to hit, Cryers.

The Flyers have really been spending time in the penalty box. If Montreal hadn’t gone completely inept on the PP, that series would have been over, as well.

And, IF the Pens get a quick goal early in game one…I predict a complete beat down of a series. Why?
Well, my deluded thought process has come up with this:
The Pens just spent a five-game series being stoned by King Henry. Face it, even though the Pens were winning, Lundy was amazing. Any of those games could have been a lot worse for the Rangers. He had the snipers very frustrated to say the least. Soooo.. imagine the relief AND confidence that they will get instantly if they get a good bounce and an easy goal early. “YEA! Let’s rack em’ up boys! That last netminder is GONE!”

I can see the flip side, too. If Biron steps up early, this could turn into a long jaw buster of a grind series.
I don’t see it, though. The Flyers have had too many lapses in play since March. Too many lost leads and near chokes.
Check this:

Pens have released a rendering of the new arena, looks sweet. Don’t get me started again on the graciousness of the Governor of Philadelphia for getting that deal done last year. (joke)

Ed Rendel..crooked as the turnpike, and just as backed up. Hey, you are where you come from, I guess.

'Ya Flyer Scum' Drinking song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH1ElPoPGSE

Three Days Til' Doomsday, Philly

Flyer Scum music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH1ElPoPGSE>

Quiet on the Billboard Material front

I did hear this gem.. Philly will dress Riley Cote for Friday's series opener "to be an answer to Pittsburgh's George Laraque"
Wha? If he is the answer..how stupid was the question?
Here's your 'answer':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhCeN3udAy4>

Riley's future children will be born with concussions after that. What's that? Oh yea..that's not his first beating from Big George.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wtoVQQIQ0Y&feature=related

Forget dressing Cote, Philly better get ahold of Apollo Creed and get him to train Rocky again. Nice job.

Go Pens!

A Tale Of Two Free Agents

Ray Shero looks even more like a genius.
Why?
It was trade deadline time. After paying out the waa-zoo and trading a beloved Colby Armstrong, he pulled a rabbit named Hossa out of his hat. There was a lot of sceptics at the time, me being one. I knew Hossa was good..but he had tampered with the team chemistry, we thought, to get him here.
Marian Hossa was sort of a slow starter, as well. He chipped in here and there for the remainder of the season, and even into the early playoffs. He was solid, but not amazing.
Then came May 4th 2008

Flashback to before the deadline again
The San Jose Sharks made a big splash, snatching heralded Sabres defenseman, Brian Campbell. All the talk was about how much Campbell would elevate the Sharks. Finally, a guy to bring the puck up, distribute it, pinch in, and play with fire. He also played solid. Onward went the Sharks..into the playoffs, favored by many to win the West.
Then came May 4th 2008

Yesterday was the difference. The Penguins, on the verge of losing all momentum, needed a win to finish off the suddenly-confident New York Rangers. In a super tight game of great saves and great defense, Marian Hossa rose above it all, and sank two of the Penguin's three goals...one of them an overtime game-winner.
Meanwhile, in the Sharks-Stars game Six, San Jose struggled to keep up their comeback. Just like the Rangers, they had been down three games to none in the series, they had battled back and were now trying to make it a 3-3 series and force game seven. A game of ridiculous and amazing saves, it went into a FOURTH full length overtime period. That's over TWO whole games. It was in this fourth OT that Brian Campbell took a brutal penalty. And as he sat in the box, the Dallas Stars proceeded to get the game winning goal.

Sometimes those deals pan out. Sometimes they don't. Campbell may very well have helped get the Sharks as far as they did get in the playoffs. But he will be unfortunately be remembered for that penalty.
Hopefully Hossa will be remembered for yesterday's game, and even bigger games to come.

That being said, and all the serious stuff aside.......

ON XM Radio NHL Home Ice today... I got to hear Rangers fans CONTINUE to whine and cry and rant. SHUT UP. You lost.

Yes, Drury should have drew a high stick when Malone split him open. Too bad.

Maybe don't blow a three goal lead in game one, and you would have had a different series. Maybe don't let your thug out to board Sykora at a critical moment in the series. Maybe get your whining moody superstar to SHOW UP in game Five. He was awesome for the first four. Why not five? Too busy fussing. Maybe he shouldn't dive when Ruutu pushes him..seeing as how he spent all his free time last week crying about other players diving. And Maybe..just Maybe..try covering a guy named Malkin and a guy named Hossa.
For the last time this season....

Shaddup and go watch the Yankees and Mets tank on half a billion dollars worth of salary. You'd think between them and the Rangers, some one would figure out this: You can't throw a team of big heads together and just expect victory. Salary can't always buy you Championships.
Good bye and good riddance.

NOW..LOOKING AHEAD...

Pens versus Flyers
Eastern Conference/Pennsylvania bragging rights Championship
Pens in six. Six hard hitting, big hurt games.

I've got all week, baby, and probably two weeks after they start. No big rush.
Ah, what the hell....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH1ElPoPGSE>

I'll have this link up every post from now till the Cup Finals.
It's a long wait until Friday.. use it anytime your fight spirit needs recharged.

Pens Rangers Game Five- Finish It.

Only One Way to Play this Game Today

Play it just like Game One againt Ottawa.

Finish this.

Eve of the Beatdown. Go Pens!

I smell it coming. I hear the can of proverbial whoop-ass being opened with a quiet, but determined fizz. See you tomorrow, chumps. bring your golf clubs.

http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=362241
Really good article about how the other players feel about Sid. I imagine it would be awkward, and most outside fans only see him as a great player or a great villain.
Remember that kid, like him or hate him, had the weight of the entire NHL league dropped on his shoulders when he came into this league. He didn't ask for it, it found him. I'm pretty sure he just wanted to play hockey.

Easy to forget he's a 20 year old kid, and a human.

Sharks still hanging in there.. good..those two both need a game seven series.
Detroit just BLASTED Colorado out of the way.
If the Flyers and Pens can both finish up this weekend....
NEXT WEEK IS WAR!!

But first, there is an unfinished task at hand.
Take two advil before the game, JJ..you are gonna be feeling it.

Back To Basics

Eastern Conference Semi-final Best of Seven Series
Pens: 3 wins

Rangers: 1 win (uno, single, lone, lonely, singular, even a blind mule finds a drink of water sometimes)

Last night, Jaromir Jagr and the Rangers changed water into wine, cured cancer, invented a car that runs on water, and won the Nobel Peace prize last night. They are the greatest team to take the ice EVER. Destiny and Fate got together, the stars aligned, and the gods have smiled..the Rangers are indeed the Chosen Ones.

Bullshit.

Thats the impression you got if you spent the day listening to XM radio..NHL Home Ice channnel. I haven't so much as heard a caller from New York in a week..except the occasional Dive Joke (always sooooo original, you dopes).
Then the RagDolls pull one out of their collective bunghole last night, and it's the second coming of You-Know-Who.

what a pack of arrogant spongeheads. No, the calls weren't "hey, that was a good win. We need to hang in there and try to grind out one more Sunday..then see where we go"

Noo..they were more like (and this is pretty close an exact call) "YEA BABY! NOW WE WILL SEE. ONLY TWO TEAMS EVER CAME FROM 0-3 DEFICIT TO TAKE THE CUP...IT'S OUR DESTINY! RANGERS ARE ULTIMATE, BABY..WE ARE GOING ALL THE WAY..WHOOOOO!!!!"

And there were more, similar calls..over and over..more and more. Dopes.
Also, a mess of this from callers AND commentators, "last night the Rangers experience and age showed. And so did the Pens youth and lack of maturity."

Are you kidding me? The kids have been schooling the geezers the whole series..or 3/4's of the time anyway in case you can't do the math over there.

Wow. Like the world has ended and God left the Rangers in charge.

You know...if Malkin sinks that goal in the first..the Strangers are off to the golf course today. No lie. or Staal. Or Sid. Or Geno again on that slo-mo penalty shot. We all know it.
The whole of Madison Square Garden needs to pucker up and plant one on Jagr and Lundquist's butt cheeks for them even being in the series at all.

Giving credit..Jags has been a monster all four games. And for Mario's sakes..Coach T., KEEP GONCH AWAY FROM JAGS. He beats 55 every stinking time. I love Gonch..but Jags just makes an ass out of him. Remember Sergei riding #68 like a kid on a clydesdale back in march? I do.

Henry has been FRIGGIN awesome. Easy could have let in 5 last night, and every game so far.
Everyone else.. crickets...

Well, like I said yesterday.. glad they will clinch it at home Sunday. Mario needs the gate cash to afford Hossa.

last year, Staal sinks that puck, by the way. He is an over-compensating mess this year. He is solid as granite everywhere but his shooting, which has him second and third guessing himself, over adjusting and overthinking. he'll work it out. I hope soon.
Geno was possesed AGAIN. All over, and easily could have had a hat trick. (dammit, Henry)
Sid is NOT 100%. Not sure whats wrong. But he's not. Maybe they are keeping a lid on another injury, like his broken foot last year. But it's easy to see his usual eruptions are too far and few between for him to be in perfect health.

Sunday is HUGE. And Roberts will lead the charge.
Goodbye Jagr, Good luck Avery's spleen, Good riddance Colton Orr (..Colton? ok.) and Goodbye New York. Enjoy therapy.

But I Just Put the Broom Away!

Sean Avery out for the rest of the Rangers' season.(one game?)

The first report had him not breating in a hospital bed.. dead or dying. Truth comes out..he has a lacerated spleen..in serious shape..but not dead. Lost alot of blood internally.
I hate him. Good chance you do too. But not to death. No one wants that. You know deep down..if he was a Penguin, he would be a favorite. Just like Ruutu.
But he's not a Penguin. He's the biggest piece of classless crap in the NHL.
Still, I'm glad he'll be back. If there were no players to hate..this would be a dull sport.
Get well soon, you little peckerwood. Maybe Sid will bring the Cup to your hospital room.
******

Jagr to Russia?
he went off on one of his emotional tirades in the locker room after last nights game. Hinted that game four could be his last game in the NHL.
Some Russian Super League team has been saying Jags has signed with them for next year..been saying it for a few months. He was with them during the lockout year. Who knows?
He was a man possesed last night. If he had any help, the Rangers would have taken that game. They lost it themselves when Captain Moustache boarded Sykora.
Before that, the Rangers had roared back and tied it. They were swarming all over the ice. The Pens were reeling. Crossbars and near misses..they were coming.
Then *BAM* ...four minutes of box time.. and the Ranger's momentum, the game and their season falls in the toilet..and Geno pulls the flush lever.
Jagr was a mess afterward. Had the heavy sound of defeat in his voice. He has been SUCH a whiny lil girl over Sidney this whole series..I have realy gotten sick of him. But I saw him play like last night like he hasn't played in years..to no avail. I think he wanted to be back in a Black and Yellow jersey.

Game four tomorrow. The fat lady is warming up. The Rangers are hurt, depressed, and down 3-0. Hopefully they get put out of their misery.
Finish It..Go Pens!

Welcome to Madison Square Garden, here is YOUR Pittsburgh Penguins!!

POST GAME SHOW:

Pens:5 Rangers:3

Pens Lead Series 3-0 (zero, nada, zilchereno, goose egg, NOTHING!)
you know what that means..
CUE HER UP BOYS..IT'S ALMOST TIME TO SING!!!

It's too late to talk about just how awesome the Pens played tonight. maybe tomorrow.

Know this much..
BGL was clutch
Staal is Mr. PK
Geno is a points machine
and Gill is a bulldozer in front of Fleury on the PK.
Go Pens!!!

(I swear I had this up before Pensblog had their toilet bowl up....too bad mine sucks and theirs rocks. Guy even used the same photo!!)

BIG GAME. REAL BIG

If the Pens can stand the opening fury we know will come from the Rangers, if they can hang in there and put this one away....
If they can go up 3-0..we know, AND the Rangers know.. it's over. Broken spirits baby.
Die-hard Ranger fans have alot on their minds.

Go up 3-0? Thats a big if, though. I'm expecting a split in the Garden, with game 5 back in the Igloo for that clincher.

Pens have had alot of problems in MSG this year. Let's see how they respond. Hopefully the crowd won't jitter Marc-Andre. That's first and foremost. Then hope gary Roberts plays. His old-school attitude will probably help the gang focus. And.. for the love of all things great and small..if Hossa can hit the back of the net, it would settle the Pens nerves a whole lot.

Variables?
Avery..that little twit. You know he will be on speeders tonight. The question is..will he go overboard and get himself in the bin, or keep his cool and get one of the Pens put away?

Sid.. you know how bad he is going to hear it. I predicted a hat trick for him the other night..unfortunately it seemed like Jagr and the other 'superstars' name-calling had him in a funk. I still say the best way to shut everyone up is to hang three goals on them. Easy for me to say, eh? Idon't have Avery slashing, or Rozsival hanging, or Orr hitting me.
Still..go get em' Sid.

Pens D...they have been stellar..if they can keep their cool in the noise of MSG.. Pens can win.

Whooo! Go Pens!
And remember:

Pens Rangers Game Two! Do it Again!

Anyone who knows my ramblings knows I'm not a Sid defender. I have had Malkin as my favorite since before LeClair dumped him on his shoulder at last years training camp.
I love Roberts more than Sid.. his intensity, is just amazing. Sykora, Ru, George..they are all a notch up my list above Sidney.

WHAT??!!

I DIDN'T SAY ANY OF THEM ARE BETTER.. I just like to watch them more.
It's too easy to love Sid. He's the best of the best.
To translate into the world of cars....
Sid is like a Ferrari. Everone would love one.
But eveyone has a soft spot for other vehicles. Geno is a Viper. Laraque a Hummer. Sykora a Mustang. And Gary Roberts? Well, he is a restored 1971 Chevelle with a 454, dual exaust, chrome headers and a GIGANTIC pair of dice hanging in the windsheild.

That rant was a lead in to this:
Sidney can't get a break.
Guy was injured half the year. Won Art Ross and the Hart last year. Is the one EVERYONE wants to see play at their arena. What does he ever get from the other players and media?
Trash talk. And it's hypocritical blabbing at best.

It's either "Sid is a crybaby!"
OR, like now in New York,
"Sid gets all the calls! Whahhhhhh!!"

Make up your mind! Either he's a crybaby OR YOU ARE. Can't have both.
Sid didn't dive. He fell to one knee. He didn't blow the whistle. the ref did. Sid fell at least a dozen times the first period..no calls. HE CAN'T CONTROL THE WHISTLE.
He is always flailing around if the puck is near him. And usually three opposing players are trying to keep him from it. Guy scrambles and falls. IT IS AT THAT POINT THE REFS HAVE TO DECIDE IF IT WAS A PENALTY OR NOT.
If you don't want to get called..KEEP YOUR D-MEN FROM GANG PILING HIM.
I've said it before. Sid gets more no-calls than calls. That game the other night was a perfect example. No-call on the throat-culture Avery tried to take from him on the ice. But the end penalty was, I ADMIT, borderline. (although, tell Marty Straka that was a penalty all year long, just not usually in the playoffs)

You would think a team that watches Jagr get the same treatment as Sid night in and night out would get how these things work. But I suppose not.

The good news is, my Kleenex stock is going through the roof in anticipation of three more games like the last one.
I suggest to any entrepreneurs out there, take a truckload of this to the Big Apple, you will make a killing before this series is over:

We all know Sid well enough to warn the Rangers..if all their crying to the media has pissed him off enough.. he may just hang a hat trick on them. Either way..this one will be nasty today. Worse than game one.

ps. and curse this diving topic for taking me off the real point of game one:

JARKKO FRIGGIN RUUTU!!!!!

Take It to the House, Pens!

Get used to that one. It'll be around for a while.

'Tonight's the Night' isn't just a crappy Phil Collins song. It's a call to arms.
White-Out at the arena..wear your white jersies or just take off your shirts and show off that winter no-tan. On second thought..Just wear the white jersies. There are women and children present.

Let's see how the series goes. Unfortunately..it may be too close...and it will be decided in a way no one wants.

Playoff referees.

I'm afraid it's going to really take a serious injury to a superstar before they start calling the playoffs like the regular season.
There is no reason a slash in October is seen and the same one in April isn't. How is a charging penalty in November called just a "solid hit" in the springtime? And the holding, grabbing, tripping, and goalie interference..all unseen now.
Some one..and I hope not a Penguin..is going to get injured by a nasty cross check or elbow before the League steps in. And thats sad.

Hopefully the Ducks early exit this year will start a trend AWAY from the current one..where playoff teams have to play like the 1970's Oakland Raiders of the NFL.
I like big hits..we all do. But it has gotten so bad that the players can't play and the stars can't shine.

It's time for Bettman and Co. to draw a line in the sand and stick to it.

Get your vaccinations up to date. Rangers coming to town.

Led by a team of overpaid has-beens and one classless joke..the Rangers have defied the odds and made the playoffs.
Jagr and Shanny.. a thousand goals and a hundred Kleenex boxes in the last 20 years. Impressive. Straka..forever Robin to Batman..he still wears the lil tights for Jaromir. I liked him back in the day. Still kind of do..but not for the next two weeks.
New York defeated the Devils to advance to round two. And the biggest highlight of the series is Avery playing playground goofball. What a guy.

Sean Avery: Putting the 'ass' in 'classless'
Naturally, Rangers Fans all over the New York City went crazy with excitement!

So here we go..the seniors shitizens versusthe young whippersnappers.
I think the Pens have just enough youth PLUS one gnarly old Roberts dude to run the old men out of town.
Pens in six.
I will add, there is a chance the Pens fell asleep waiting for round 2, and may drop game one..I doubt it..but if they do..Pens in seven.

And at last we have a challenger......

And so it begins....

Finally. Let's rock the Garden, baby.
The good news..they are just as rested (meaning OVERrested). No worries about one team being fresh, having momentum, tired or not.
Real Men versus Real Men and Sean Avery.
No excuses, no surrender. Bring it. Both even, ready to rock. See you Friday, jokes.
How did we get to this?? Well..

Nice Game 7 OT tankage.
And that show by the refs pretty much tosses out all conspiracy theories. Except the one about Alex Ovechkin being Encino Man. That one may stick.

Pauly Shore was unavailable for comment.
Grats to the Flyers on pulling off the last second double-fate reversal. Now go kill the Habs.
Time to reload.
As I type this..I am watching Calgary and San Jose abusing each other. Silently, I cheer for the Flames. Mostly... because I have heard how great the Sharks are for months.Blecht. But some is just because California sucks and will some day sink into the Pacific due to the weight of all the egos.
Good night and Go Pens!

Patience is a virtue... So is desperate boredom

Ducks choked. No repeat. Nice smack down, Dallas.

Detroit finally nailed down Nashville..wasn't easy.

But no change in the east.
And still we wait.

Tonight, we will know some, if not all, of how it will go. We will know if the Pens play Boston or not. And perhaps the Flyers will finish up. Or are they in mid-choke? Ask me tomorrow. I am picking games at near 100% accuracy the day after they are played. Creepy, I know.

Perhaps one of my favorite photoshops I have seen on Pensblog, brought here for anyone who enjoys that sort of thing:

Ruutu/George is just creepy.

What an awesome job this guy did, eh?

Another day of rest for Roberts, Malone, and any other Penguin who has a ding or nick (all of them at this point).

Bruins and Capitals keep flaring up like a pair of hemorrhoids. Just not going away. Three cheers for either of them! If either of them can come through, the Pens can avoid an also rested Ranger club for a bit.

Colorado booted the Wild last night..and two or three more series may end today out west.
Tomorrow may just clear up some stuff.

I'll be busy playing out the playoffs on NHL2008 on the ol PS2

Go Pens! Enjoy your day off!

Say hello to the Rangers.. welcome to round two.

Down time leads to me finding stupid things to occupy myself with. Here, for instance..is an awesome recap done to the perfect song..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoi1RvDchp4

Give the guy a 5-star for his efforts. Great stuff.
Brodeur didn't shake Avery's hand (big surpise) I'm sure he wanted to, but he wanted to do it wearing that buzzer Jack Nicholson wore in Batman. ("looks like Antoine is a little hot under the collar") Kudos if anyone actually gets my inane references. I hate Dennis Miller, but often I read my own stuff and get (sickly) reminded of him.
So..cheer the Caps and Boston? Or just now hope they both end and we can move on?
I'm just not sure.

Down Time Sucks.

With that photo, I am offically done with Ottawa.

When the hell is the next series starting?? A week?! Holy crap. Thats a long time when your team has the kind of momentum the Pens have.

This is going to be a long wait. Not sure if I can handle the downtime. If my calculations are .right, they could play the next series at the new arena. Sid will be able to grow a beard and Gary Roberts will be ready to collect social security.

Flyers crapped on the caps in double OT. That usually means the loser folds for the rest of the series. A 2OT loss is such an emotional crushing, that the loser just can't come back from it. We'll find out tomorrow.

The Habs are starting to get a little tight in the windpipe area. Better clear their throats in a hurry, or Chara and Boston just might get lodged in there and cause some choking.

Dallas still spanking the Ducks..awesome.

And Calgary dropped one to San Jose..but they are still only down 3-2 and headed home. Again., I lean to the underdogs most everytime. Go Flames!

Colorado is one up on the WIld. Those two are having a tight series but you don't hear about it too much, unless Peter "Hell no! I'm not going to Philadelphia!" Forsberg has a big night.

I need coffee and breakfast. Maybe drop by tonight. Me and Gary Roberts are gonna go do our routine of 2000 sit-ups to burn off this extra energy. Ok, you're right.. the only sit ups I do is when I sit up and hit the snooze button five times every morning. But I was serious about getting breakfast.

Steel Curtain On Ice?

Wow. I got a chance to look at some stats from the SWEEPAGE series. As a fan, I was completely caught up in the moment for a week. Now we can get out the video and the microscope.
Defense. Defense. Defense.
Who realized? I mean, I knew they were playing good. But not that good.

They gave up FIVE goals in four games.

Danny Heatly had exactly one more point in this years playoffs than I did. (granted, I'm having a good year, but still)

Marc Andre was out of his mind

Orpik and Gonch were awesome. Just suffocating chemistry.

Anyone who guessed back in March that Gill would be as important a pickup as Hossa, raise your hand.
LIAR!
There were more highlight goals kept out by the Pens than the ones they put in.

So maybe, just maybe..
Orpik=Lambert?
Gill=Mean Joe?
Gonchar= L.C.?
Probably not..but you just never know....

Sweep Sweep Victory!!

Long work week has kept me really busy..but some things just make it sweet.

What can you say but WOW.

Marc-Andre is the playoff MVP right now. End story.

The team is getting production from ALL over. That and Fleury together wins championships.

Ray Shero = Dr. Frankenstein What a monster he has built.

Now the long week and a half wait. Ugh.

Oh well..the Pens sure need the layover. Many dings to be healed, wounds to patch up, and sore spots to rest. Well earned time off. Enjoy it, boys.

Future outlook? Leaning towards Mr. Jagr coming to town at the moment I'd say. I hope the Devils can come back, and the Flyers get the Habs next round. But Rangers are up 3-1.

Guess what Staal had a game winning goal tonight? Not the one on the Pens or the one from Carolina who is on the NHL2008 video game cover Not the one who shared Penguin rookie of the year honors or the one who won the all-star MVP. Yep, younger brother Marc got a HUGE one tonight with just a few minutes left. The rookie may have just put a big nail in the coffin of Brodeur 's Hall of Fame career. We shall see. Senators sure could use a handful of those Staals. Well, maybe they can get the fourth one.

After all, Staals are Canadas 3rd largest export. After maple syrup and Ryan Murray tears.

I have the night off. But Someone else is warming up.

Guess Who Is Warming Up?

Go Pens!

Say Goodnight, Sally!

I'm tired..but here goes..

Game was ho-hum till the Sens scored. Then the Penguins woke up. And put the boot back on those rats.

Sens risked really injuring Alfredsson putting him out there. To no avail. They are officially out of cards to play.

C'mon boys, one more. Hammer down don't let up. One more then come home and get healthy for a few. I had no idea a sweep would be possible. I said Pens in six.

Crosby- getting stronger every game..look out

Malkin-took the night off (but if you know Geno, you expected that sooner or later..he'll be back Wednesday)

Staal-holeeee crap he hit the net, not the post!!

4th line- unsung winners of games. you go boys

Hossa- so that's why we traded Colby for you. It all makes sense now!

Rome is Burning

Back home to Ottawa they go..beaten, embarrassed, and downtrodden. Their coach tried a mind game that failed (and backfired horribly). They got busted trying to steal a win by Bugsy Malone. Fleury is standing them up. Their stars are no-shows. Their pride in question, heads held low.
They have nothing to lose.
That makes them VERY dangerous.
Keep your eyes open, Pens, and be vigilant. Don't let them be the proverbial thief in the night. Keep stepping on that throat long after they seem to be out of air, or they will bite you on the ankle.
Go Pens!
Watch your back.

2-0 and on to Ottawa! (baby!)

No goofy pictures today. All business. Another intense game. I think Malone may have just broke the remaining spirits in the Sens.
A few of my moronic observations....

1.) Sid is not 100%, either physically or mentally or both. I see flashes of his old greatness, but not his usual go-all-out-every-shift intensity. I think perhaps he is trying to pace himself, or has a fear of re-injury haunting his head. He has been way too invisible so far. I understand Ottawa has their best guys against his line, but he and his invisible partner Hossa are just not clicking like the rest of the team.

2.) Malkin is the best player on the ice in the eastern conference right now. I have only seen two games from the west, so I can't say..I think Iginla is putting up a show in Calgary. But over here, Geno is soaring like an eagle..freezing d-men in their tracks, getting no look passes off to Sykora that would make your mamma cry, spinning like a figure skater and getting slappers so hard they smash guys helmets and leave a gash 15 stitches long underneath. He is seeing the ice, playing on the pk and just leading the team in general. So, pretty much, Sid..take your time getting back into form.. Malkin, and for that matter, the whole rest of the team, is holding down the fort just fine.

3.) Sykora and Malkin need locked into long deals NOW. How awesome are they together? They were good from the get-go, but good gravy, after 3 months they have really came along. And Malone is in the mix with them, but not on quite the same wavelength.

4.) and yes, i called the 5-3 sore. Scroll down, it's there. How did I do it? Even a blind emu finds a drink now and then, i guess, because it's not that I have any clue what I am saying.

Game Two Tonight! Do it Again!

I fully expect that Coach Murray had a team meeting yesterday, and reamed his team a new A. Hole.
Which is a good thing, since Gary Roberts has their old one just about worn out.
I expect them to collect themselves and make a better show of things. But to no avail.
Penguins 5 Senators 3

PENS WIN!

Penguins: 4
Senators: 0 (none/zilch/zip/nada/goose egg/ZERO)

HA!!
EAT IT, THERE, CHIEF RUN AT THE MOUTH.
Oh man..that felf GOOD. Satisfaction. Murray would have been better off just keeping his mouth shut and trying to sneak up on the Pens. Instead, he miscalculated, ran his mouth, and pissed off the boys. Gary FREAKING Roberts, in paticular, didn't take kindly to his remarks.
Roberts: "I've never put my skates on wanting to lose."
Including tonight.

Game summary: the puck drops, Gary Roberts sinks one, then goes nuts, Malkin/Sykora=sick, Fleury is CONCRETE, Pens commit a gazillion penalties, Roberts scores and proceeds to incite a royal rumble. Fourth Line are strong as a team of Clydesdale horses.
Senators poop themselves. Game.
At the post game press conference, Coach Murray was in a decidedly different mood than the last time we saw him.
Awesome win boys. Awesome.
See you Friday.

this just in..got it from Pensblog:
The Sens are staying at the Wyndham Hotel in Oakland,on the corner of Forbes and McKee.It's right by that Exxon Station
Do what you can to disrupt their sleep schedule.

Gimme Fire Fire

I think Ottawa coach Ryan Murray has doomed himself. In an effort to make his team feel like they get "no respect"..he just may have infuriated a sleeping Penguin team. We'll just see if he feels the Penguins took tonight off as well. My guess is he'll feel otherwise.
I have the itchy feeling this will be a blowout. I think it depends on whether his Sens bought his gimminck or not. I don't think they did, they have locker room problems. If not they are in for a long night against a riled up Penguin offensive juggernaut.

speaking of coach Murray..he has asked to sing the national anthem tonight

Enrico Palatzo was unavailable for comment.

Pens..6-1.

Just because I am pissed at Murray. Classless bum.