If there was ever a debate as to which sport holds the title for highest amount of excitement, drama, and intensity come playoff time, the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs ends all discussion. Where else can you find this kind of entertainment? The Boston Bruins, down by three goals to their divisional rival Toronto Maple Leafs, come back to force an overtime, and end the game with a sudden death goal in Game 7. This all happened with two goals coming 31 seconds apart under the two minute mark of ... Read More
Correction, it IS just a game
Let me preface this with saying that I agree with Niky and what she say said here, about how the Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melynk should watch what he says on Twitter. Athletes all over are under a close watch by teams and will get punished if they cross the line. Melnyk is also a guy I don't really care for after his comments regarding Matt Cooke. With that point, I agree with Niky. While the title of her article does catch the eye and draw readers (we love it) and I agree with her stance ... Read More
It’s not “just a game”!
I can't name many owners of professional sports teams outside of those in Pittsburgh. Sure we all know Jerry Jones, Mark Cuban and a handful of celebrities who've ventured into the business end of the sports world. But for the most part, outside of their respective cities, owners are just men behind the scenes, financing and profiting from the games we all love. And then there's Eugene Melnyk. First time I heard his name, I thought he was a character in CBS's latest installment of CSI. Matt ... Read More
Crosby is the game’s best player, but he isn’t the MVP
When talking about the most valuable player award, you have to look at what the award really means. MVP means the most valuable player, not necessarily the best. When the NHL announced that Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, John Tavares of the New York Islanders and Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins were the finalists for the prestigious award, the debate ensued. First off, let me preface this with saying there is absolutely no debate as to whether or not Crosby is the ... Read More
Orpik’s overtime goal knocks out Isles; Pens advance
The last time the Pittsburgh Penguins met the New York Islanders in an overtime, elimination game, David Volek scored to complete an upset in Game 7 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals and spoiled the Pens' chances of winning a third consecutive Stanley Cup. In that game, the Penguins dominated, out shooting the Islanders 45-20 in a losing effort. This time, the tables were turned. Brooks Orpik scored his first career playoff goal in 106 games 7:49 into overtime to defeat the New ... Read More
Yinzer of the Week: Tomas Vokoun
When Tomas Vokoun took the goal on Thursday night, he had one thing in mind: a win. He came away with more than that, though. The Penguins are in a tough 7-game series with the New York Islanders in the first round of the NHL playoffs. Up 2-1, the Pens came in on Tuesday night to extend their lead, but instead came out with a loss. Marc-Andre Fleury allowed six goals on the night and the Pens lost 6-4. The next night, Fleury was benched and Vokoun stepped in. The game was Vokoun's first ... Read More
Vokoun’s shutout pushes Islanders to the brink of elimination
The last time Tomas Vokoun started in a playoff game, he was a member of the 2007 Nashville Predators that lost to the San Jose Sharks, tended by Evgeni Nabokov, in the opening round.After Vokoun's performance Thursday night, he has a chance to return the favor to Nabokov on Saturday in Long Island. Vokoun stopped all 31 shots earning his second career playoff shutout, and Sidney Crosby tallied three points as the Penguins dominated the Islanders 4-0, pushing the division rival from Long ... Read More
Message to the Pens
"Keep it simple." Is there a more overused term in the history of any sport ever created? Hockey players say it like it's a mantra and for the Pittsburgh Penguins, it should be. Since Game 2, and really last year, it has been no secret that the Penguins' biggest problem in the playoffs has been puck management in the defensive end. Allegedly, they correct that problem in the regular season. That is, until the playoffs started. Now it's back to blind passes, bad decisions, and awful ... Read More
Snedden’s Take: The Unique Evolution of Pittsburgh the Sports City: Past, Present and the Possible Future
When people think of the city of Pittsburgh here in 2013, very rarely does the industrial past of the region influence the opinion of people from around the Country. Pittsburgh, once known as the most important city in America doing the World War II era, has come along way from its smoke-filled past and steel forged history. While a great deal of the world now knows Pittsburgh as a leading provider of health care treatment, rarely do people refer to our city without bringing up professional ... Read More
With the series tied 2-2, it’s time for the Pens to give Fleury a break
Last Wednesday the Pittsburgh Penguins began their quest for their fourth Stanley Cup in team history, and did so in impressive fashion. The Penguins looked like the dominant force that earned them the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, disposing of the New York Islanders, who are making their first appearance in the playoffs since 2007, 5-0 in front of a crowd of 18,612 at CONSOL Energy Center. Besides the offense clicking on all cylinders, Marc-Andre Fleury flashed signs of his 2009 form ... Read More