All losses are not created equal. Anyone who watched the implosion of the Pittsburgh Penguins last night in their playoff loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets can attest to that. After scoring three goals in a span of five minutes, the Pens charged out to a 3-0 first-period lead, and what looked to be a commanding three-games-to-one advantage heading back to Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, for the Penguins, the Blue Jackets did not get the memo. With their backs to the wall, and the series on the ... Read More
Penguins prepare for underdog Blue Jackets in first round
On paper, it would be easy to look at the Pittsburgh Penguins first round opponent, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and feel confident. The Penguins have nine players who have won a Stanley Cup. The Blue Jackets? One. The Penguins have a roster full of playoff experience, nearly 1,200 total games played. The Blue Jackets? 251 games. How about star power? Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, James Neal, Kris Letang, Chris Kunitz. Go ahead, I dare you to name a Blue Jacket of comparable stature. Good ... Read More
Brewers give Pirates first series loss of season in 3-2 win
The Milwaukee Brewers continued their torrid streak tonight at Miller Park, winning their eighth straight game as the Pittsburgh Pirates offense could not deliver late in a 3-2 loss. The guarantees the first series defeat of the season for the Pirates (6-5) Meanwhile, the red hot Brewers (9-2) now have the best record in baseball. Carlos Gomez led off the game with a mammoth shot to centerfield, his fourth home run of the season, to give the Brewers an early edge. Starter Edinson Volquez was ... Read More
Finals or bust for Bylsma? Not so fast
With the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs beginning next week, its fair to say that many Pens fans seem to await the postseason with a combination of doubt, uncertainty and negativity. Instead of excitement and the prospects of a playoff run, there is an impending sense of doom. When will the proverbial hammer drop, and who will take the blame when it does? Another playoff year, and many fans are preemptively looking for a scapegoat. That's of course, before the match ups have been determined, or ... Read More
Alvarez, Martin four combined home runs aren’t enough as Pirates lose to Cubs
The Pittsburgh Pirates will have to wait until Thursday afternoon to try and do something they have not done since 1992; win their third consecutive series to begin a season. Jason Hammel (2-0) had his second commanding performance against the Pirates in a week. Wandy Rodriguez (0-2) struggled through five innings of work, giving up nine hits, along with four earned runs as the Chicago Cubs cruised to a 7-5 win at a windy Wrigley Field. The Cubs got off to a quick start compliments of you ... Read More
Ishikawa to the rescue?
Travis Ishikawa to the rescue? Probably not what Pirates brass planned, but at least for the moment, that looks to be what the Pirates are hoping of the journeyman first baseman after Andrew Lambo was reassigned to AAA Indianapolis. To say that Lambo had his struggles this spring (.095 BA, .095 Slugging, .269 OPS) would be an understatement. After being considered a virtual lock to be the left-handed hitting part of the first base platoon with Gaby Sanchez, Lambo's four hits in 46 plate ... Read More
Florida Dominates, Ending Panthers Season
The Florida Gators proved why they were the top seed in the NCAA tournament. They also proved why many Pitt fans cringed at the thought of a third round match up against the prohibitive favorite to win it all. Paced by SEC player of the year Scottie Wilbekin's 21 points, suffocating team defense and rebounding, along with Patric Young's dominating play inside, the Gators cruised to a convincing victory over the Pitt Panthers, 61-45. It is the fourth straight year the Gators have advanced ... Read More
Pitt looks to stay alive against No. 1 seed Florida
In the wake of the most decisive win in NCAA tournament history for the Pitt Panthers, now the Panthers have an opportunity to not only shock the world, but destroy a lot of March Madness brackets. The Panthers will face the top seeded Florida Gators (33-2) Saturday at the Amway Center in Orlando. Tip off is set for 12:15 p.m. For Jamie Dixon and the Panthers, this is an opportunity to not only advance to the Sweet Sixteen, but to prove many doubters and detractors wrong. After an impressive ... Read More
Pitt Hoops Overpower Buffaloes, Win Big
Survive and advance. That is the theme of the NCAA tournament and the Pittsburgh Panthers certainly took no chances in Orlando on Thursday. Cruising to a 46-18 halftime lead and never really challenged at any point, the Panthers dominated the Colorado Buffaloes, by a 77-48 final score. It was the largest margin of victory in NCAA tournament history for the Panthers and the most lopsided 9 vs. 8 seed matchup in tournament history. Talib Zanna led all scorers with 18 points and added five ... Read More
Pitt-Colorado preview
As the NCAA tournament begins for the Pitt Panthers against the Colorado Buffaloes, a major question perennially asked in March remains — Can Jamie Dixon lead his team deep into the NCAA's and finally reach the Final Four? Despite a 283-93 record at Pitt, Dixon has yet to lead the Panthers to that elusive goal. Last season ended with another disappointing loss in the Panthers first game in an 8-9 match up versus Wichita State, who would eventually make it to the Final Four, a common trend of ... Read More