Hard Knocks is the annual show that airs on HBO where camera crews follow the team around during their training camps. In recent years, we have seen teams such as the Bengals, Dolphins, Jets, Cowboys, etc. get the spotlight, and since the Jets were given the stage in 2010, the show hasn't been all that great. This year, the Steelers are one of the eight teams in the league who can be forced by the NFL to be on the show. I know it sounds odd that a team can be "forced" onto the show, but there ... Read More
PSAC West Hardwood Moment: IUP handed first loss, Slippery Rock takes over
The past week of PSAC West basketball saw a lot of action. IUP, which was previous undefeated, lost its first two games of the season and fell two spots in the PSAC West standings. Slippery Rock took over the top spot as a result. As for the rest of the standings, here's how it panned out: PSAC West Standings 1. Slippery Rock (14-4, 5-1 PSAC) 2. Gannon (10-7, 5-2 PSAC) 3. IUP (14-2, 4-2 PSAC) 4. Mercyhurst (8-8, 4-2 PSAC) 5. Seton Hill (11-5, 3-3 PSAC) 6. Pitt-Johnstown ... Read More
Pittsburgh Sporting News Videocast: Episode 1
In our first videocast at Pittsburgh Sporting News, Michael Waterloo, Jon Pennline and Matt Shetler discuss Sidney Crosby being named the captain of Team Canada, if Pitt is for real or not, Manning vs. Brady, the Steelers draft and some Pittsburgh Pirates talk. Sure to listen in every Sunday morning for another live episode! ... Read More
Golden Knight of the Week: Adam Blazek
Coming into the week, the Gannon Golden Knights were looking at an 8-7 record. By week's end, they were at 10-7 with a win over the No. 5 team in the country and picked up two wins over conference foes to move up in the PSAC West standings. During those two games, Adam Blazek was key. Blazek's numbers don't jump off of the stat sheet as outstanding, but they got the job done. In a 67-61 victory over No. 5 IUP, Blazek scored 13 points. With the Golden Knights down two with under a minute left ... Read More
Pitt edged out by No. 2 Syracuse in first ACC loss
No. 22 Pitt and No. 2 Syracuse hooked things up Saturday afternoon in what was the early ACC Game of the Year. Watching the two teams play, it was an ACC game in name early as for 40 minutes it seemed liked just another Big East Conference battle as it turned out to be another Pitt-Syracuse classic. However Syracuse freshman point guard Tyler Ennis played like a senior down the stretch, making two big baskets and sinking two huge free-throws as the Orange stayed unbeaten, handing Pitt ... Read More
Steelers reportedly interview Mike Munchak for O-Line job
After firing offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. shortly after the season ended, the Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to fill that void, but reportedly have their targets set on a big name. According to Jason LaCanfora of CBS Sports, former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak reportedly met with the Steelers on Friday about becoming their offensive line coach. The interest in Munchak makes a lot of sense for both parties as Munchak was a successful line coach with the Houston Oilers ... Read More
Face Off Friday: Can the Pens win the Stanley Cup with this defense?
Jon Pennline — The Penguins are currently eight points ahead of the Boston Bruins for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Even more impressive, they are seventeen points ahead of the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers in the race to claim the first Metropolitan Division championship in league history. And yet, that all means diddly squat. Why? Because this team has nearly reverted back to the 2012 Penguins, a team that filled the net but often hung their goaltender out to ... Read More
The Pens could use more forward depth
At this point of the regular season, only six members of the Pittsburgh Penguins have played in all 47 possible games this season. The Penguins lead the NHL in man-games lost to injury with 279. A number substantially higher than that of the second-place Anaheim Ducks with 228. At the beginning of the season, it was the defensive core that was plagued by the injury bug. Present day, Pittsburgh's forwards are getting caught up in the injury woes that has this team headed straight for 300 ... Read More
The morning after
Post game analysis and notes --Olli Maatta is the real thing. His set up of Taylor Pyatt for the Penguins second goal was smooth. His fake shot and ability to skate down low showed patience, instinct and skill. Pyatt returned the favor, in his own way, on the game-winner by firmly screening Capitals goalie Michal Neuvirth. The Penguins could use a lot more of both. --The Washington Capitals third and fourth lines were noticeably better than the Penguins counterparts. Brooks ... Read More
Maatta’s late goal pushes Pens past Caps
If the Washington Capitals can't beat a Pittsburgh Penguins team that was missing half of their top six forwards and relied on their third line center to play wing, they may never beat them in a seven game season when everyone is healthy. The Penguins constantly climbed back from a one goal deficit then won the game on Olli Maatta's wrist shot with 1:54 remaining in the game to edge the Capitals, 4-3 on Wednesday night. In a game that featured nine players that will represent their country ... Read More