I have been relatively quiet the past two weeks. I know, I know. I have had to divert my attention for a short while to some awesome personal and professional endeavors. Today though… today was one of those days I wish I was off for the game more than ever. Next to the Flyers, the Capitols are the team I hate the most. I despise them. I can’t stand them. And oh do I love it when the Pens wipe the ice with them! This was one of those games. I did get a bit nervous there for a bit when the ... Read More
An Early Look at Pirates Pitching Roster Battles for 2013: Pitching Staff
Earlier this week, we took a deep look at the Pittsburgh Pirates roster battles by position. Today we will take a gander over to the pitching staff, where several key changes have once-again given the Bucs a new look on the rubber. The 2012 Pirates opened the season with veterans LHP Erik Bedard and RHP Kevin Correia at the back of the rotation, both expected to provide the team with solid innings pitched. Bedard was a total flop, never regaining any semblance of the form he had shown in ... Read More
Kunitz’s hat trick powers Pens
Chris Kunitz scored a hat trick and Sidney Crosby recorded three assists as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Washington Capitals 6-3, at the Verizon Center, Sunday afternoon. After the Capitals scored on a fluke goal off the boards in the second period, the Penguins rebounded to score three straight goals within seven minutes of each other, then relied on back up goaltender, and former Capital, Tomas Vokoun to shut the door in the third. The Penguins, as they had in seven of their ... Read More
Penguins crush Devils; score five on Martin Brodeur
The Pittsburgh Penguins were lackluster in their first two home games of the season, being outscored 9-3 in the process. Today, it was a completely different story as the Penguins defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-1 in dominating fashion. This was truly a game of attrition for the Penguins as they wore down the Devils from start to finish. The Penguins controlled play in the first period, took a one goal lead after the second period, then blew the doors off the Devils in the third. In the ... Read More
Pitt proves its mettle in upset over No. 6 Syracuse
Many have said that the Pitt Panthers basketball team was a product of a soft schedule and really hasn’t beaten anyone this season. Those critics can’t say that anymore after Jamie Dixon’s team defeated No. 6 Syracuse 65-55 Saturday in front of a packed house at the Petersen Events Center. It was an old-school performance from the Panthers, who played as physical of a game as they have had in years, dominating the glass holding a 39-24 rebounding edge. “I was obviously happy with the ... Read More
Yinzer of the Week: Tomas Vokoun
Tomas Vokoun was perfect for the Pens this week. With Marc-Andre Fleury struggling late in the game Tuesday night, the Pens put Vokoun in to close out the game. While he only defended seven shots, he saved all seven of them. The Isles were already up comfortable but the late game performance was good enough to get Vokoun the start Thursday night. While in the goal against the Rangers, Vokoun posted another perfect performance. He fought off the Rangers all night, defending and saving all 28 ... Read More
Free-Throws continue to haunt Pitt
As the Pitt Panthers prepare to host No. 6 Syracuse Saturday afternoon at the Petersen Events Center, head coach Jamie Dixon has to find a way to correct the Panthers biggest weakness- free-throw shooting. It seems like forever since a Panthers team could knock down their free-throws consistently and one day you knew it would cost them in a big way, which it did in the NCAA Tournament two years ago against Butler when Gilbert Brown missed a free-throw that would have given the Panthers a ... Read More
Tomas Vokoun turns Rangers away; Pens win 3-0
The Pittsburgh Penguins may want to play all over their games on the road for the rest of the season. Coming off a brutal 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders at home, their second home loss in as many games, the Penguins stormed back against the New York Rangers to stir up some boos at MSG. Evgeni Malkin scored his second goal of the season, Simon Despres scored the second goal of his career, and James Neal added his team-leading fifth goal. Behind Tomas Vokoun who stopped all 28 shots, the ... Read More
Pirates Ink Walker, McDonald
The Pirates have finally signed the remaining players on their roster that are arbitration-eligible. James McDonald, one of the Pirates best right-handers, went 12-8 last season. He had a 4.21 ERA for the season and has a 4.10 ERA for his career. He had a fantastic start to the 2012 season but had a rocky end to it, posting 7.52 ERA in his last 13 starts. Towards the end of the season, the Pirates moved him to the bullpen. In this off-season, he pitched in a dominican winter league where he ... Read More
Penguins on Familiar Path
Come on, Pens fans. The panic button is right over here, and you know you’re about to push it. Stanley Cup favorites? Cripes, their best home game so far was an intrasquad scrimmage. The consensus among the talk-radio-show-calling crowd is that Fleury should be traded, Malkin is a bum, and Bylsma will be gone by the end of February. But let’s all take a deep breath and look at the big picture – not this season, but this second golden era, which is starting to feel very familiar. Think ... Read More