Showing posts with label Pittsburgh Penguins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pittsburgh Penguins. Show all posts

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Pittsburgh Penguins: Kris Letang talks about his stroke

Kristopher Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins, ...
Kristopher Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins, at a 4–1 win over the New Jersey Devils (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
If you haven't seen it, this article by Josh Yohe who's the Penguins reporter for the TribLive.com, its worth a look. 

Yohe's article is about Pittsburgh Penguins defensman Kris Letang and what he has gone through after suffering a stroke. Very scary story. 

Letang's absence to the Penguins line-up is a major loss, but his long term health is more important right now.  
It was a scary time.

On the morning of Jan. 29, Letang's wife woke up to find him laying on the floor of the couple's bedroom. He was alert but knew something was wrong.

“I was not able to function,” he said.

Letang's mother-in-law is a nurse and was at their home at the time of his stroke, which stopped him from calling 911. He felt better enough later in the day to fly with the Penguins to Los Angeles.

But after a series of tests, it was determined that Letang had a stroke. He said he is still having “good days and bad days” and is still dealing with fatigue.

Letang looked noticeably thinner than normal. He has recently been given permission to work out though he isn't skating and continues to take blood thinner medication. [Read more]
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Wednesday, February 05, 2014

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Monday, December 30, 2013

Sid Crosby: Impressive Numbers.


Like him or hate him, Penguins Star Sidney Crosby is an elite hockey player, that has put up some crazy numbers in his short hockey career. Think about this,  (25g-461a—720pts) in 520 games evens out to 1.41 PPG for the All-Star forward. Imagine if he hadn't suffered all of those concussions? If my math is right, Crosby missed  over 100-games due to post concussion syndrome issues. Also, he missed about 20-games due to a ankle injury during the 2008 hockey season.
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Monday, December 16, 2013

(Video) Robert Bortuzzo head shot on Jerry D'Amigo



Penguins Defenseman Robert Bortuzzo delivers a headshot on Maple Leafs forward Jerry D'Amigo. Bortuzzo was given a two-minute minor for an illegal check to the head. I think there's a chance that Bortuzzo could get a call from the NHL's department of Player Safety.

I also agree with the fans that say that the Pittsburgh Penguins don't have the moral high ground, either. Lastly, Is this the same kind of hit that Deryk Engelland put on Justin Abdelkader? I don't know? Thoughts?






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Saturday, December 14, 2013

(Video) Boston Bruins: Shawn Thornton Suspended 15-games



Update: The NHL has thrown the book at Bruins tough guy Shawn Thornton for his attack on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik.

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton is suspended 15-games for his attack on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik. That means that Thornton will not be eligible to return to the ice until January 11, 2014 against the San Jose Sharks. Developing.







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Sunday, December 08, 2013

Bruins Hockey: Chris Kelly Out With Broken Ankle



s/t KK... Before Pittsburgh Penguins fans lecture us about the Boston Bruins being dirty, check this out. Chris Kelly is out with a broken ankle after he was slashed by Pens forward Pascal Dupuis last night.

Saturday, December 07, 2013

VIDEO: Loui Eriksson concussed after hit from Brooks Orpik: Shawn Thornton Attacks Orpik



First, this is the hit by Brooks Orpik on Loui Eriksson that caused Shawn Thornton to snap tonight. This hit also injured Eriksson, and from the video, you can see that the puck was nowhere near Erikson. 

While the hit definitely a penalty; it's probably nothing more than a two-minute minor penalty for interference. 

That being said, there’s no excusing what Shawn Thornton did, this is unacceptable. I believe that Thornton broke the hockey code by attacking a player that was laying on the ice. You can't have that. 

Thornton is going to have a hearing with the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety. While Thornton has never been suspended by the NHL, they have to respond to this hit.


I think that it would be safe to say that Thornton will be looking at a very long suspension. The NHL has to respond harshly to this act of violence. I am going to predict that Thornton is looking at a 10-game suspension, minimum. Some might compare what There's no excusing what he did. Before Boston Bruins fans eviscerate me, I am Boston Bruins fan, but we can't excuse this. 


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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Boston Bruins: Torey Krug O.T. thriller



Thank you Michigan State. Torey Krug has become kind of a rock star in Boston. The Boston Bruins (16-6-2), first in the Eastern Conference are 7-0-2 in their past nine game at home. Torey Krug also has points in three straight games (1g-2a—3pts) and has scored (7g-8a—15pts) on the season and is fourth on the Bruins in scoring.
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Monday, September 30, 2013

ESPN Predicts the NHL Finish




Wow, the ESPN writers picked who they think will win the various divisions (Atlantic, Pacific, Metro, Central Divisions) and these same writers also picked who they think will end up being the Stanley Cup. I am a bit surprised there isn't more love for the Detroit Redwings, only four of the writers picked the Redwings. I also have them penciled in to win the Stanley Cup.
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Thursday, June 27, 2013

Dan Bylsma to coach team USA for the 2014 Sochi Olympic

USA Flag
USA Flag (Photo credit: freefotouk)
According to Kevin Allen of the USA today, Dan Bylsma head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has been selected to lead team USA in the 2014 Sochi games.  Bylsma is a good head coach and a great selection for to be the next head coach to USA Olympic team.  I would imagine many of us have a preliminary line up in our minds that would make the team. 


Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports -- USA Hockey is putting the band back together for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia, although the members will have a different place on the stage.
According to two people with knowledge of the decision, the Nashville Predators' David Poile will be the team's general manager, while Pittsburgh Penguins Ray Shero will be his associate general manager and Anaheim Ducks consultant Brian Burke will be the director of player development.
Penguins coach Dan Bylsma has been selected to be the USA's coach in Sochi.
The two people asked not to be identified because the official announcement will come Saturday in New York, the day before the NHL draft in Newark.

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Sunday, June 09, 2013

Final Third Round Numbers; Former NCAA Hockey Players

Here is the list of NHL hockey players that are currently participating in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs that have played Division I college hockey.
The players are listed by their NHL team. These are players that have played in at least “one” Stanley Cup Playoff game during in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. I have also listed their point totals as well.
This list doesn’t include players from teams that have been eliminated. The list doesn’t include players that are currently injured, or on their teams roster, but haven’t played in the Stanley Cup Playoff games yet.  I will update the list as much as I can.
Points lead after the completion of the third round
The third round is officially over. Former Vermont Catamount Patrick Sharp (8g-6a—14pts) is the leader in the club house.  Former Wisconsin Badgers and current San Jose Sharks forward Joe Pavelski(4g-8a—12pts) hangs on to second place, but his team was eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the defending Stanley Cup Champions
Here’s how the rest of the top six places for former college hockey players in the Stanley Cup playoffs shakes out.
There is a two way tie for third place, is former Michigan State Spartan and current Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2g-9a—11pts) is tied with former Golden Gopher and current Penguins Defenseman Paul Martin (2g-9a—11pts).
In fifth place, is former Ferris State Bulldog forward Chris Kunitz (5g-5a—10pts).  The Stanley Cup playoffs are over for this pair of Penguins, as their team was eliminate by the Boston Bruins 4-0.
Leader Board (National Hockey League rank in parentheses)
1. (6) Patrick Sharp, F, Vermont, 17GP, (8g-6a—14pts)
2. (16) Joe Pavelski, F, Wisconsin, 11GP, (4g-8a—12pts)
3. (19) Duncan Keith, D, Michigan State, 15GP, (2g-9a—11pts)
3. (19) Paul Martin, D, Minnesota, 15GP, (2g-9a—11pts)
5.  (27) Chris Kunitz, F, Ferris State, 15GP, (5g-5a—10pts)

If I have forgotten a player on this list, feel free to drop me a line at thegoon48@gra.midco.net
Boston Bruins (3)
Torey Krug, D, Michigan State, 9GP, (4g-2a—6pts)
Matt Bartkowski, D, Ohio State, 7GP, (1g-1a—2pts)
Richard Peverley, F, St. Lawrence University, 15GP, (1g-0a—1pts)
Chicago Blackhawks (6)
Patrick Sharp, F, Vermont, 17GP, (8g-6a—14pts)
Duncan Keith, D, Michigan State, 17GP, (2g-9a—11pts)
Jonathon Toews, F, North Dakota, 17GP, (1g-8a—9pts)
Nick Leddy, D, Minnesota, 17GP, (0g-2a—2pts)
Victor Stalberg, F, Vermont, 15GP, (0g-3a—3pts)
Brandon Bollig, F, St. Lawrence, 3GP, (0g-0a—0pts)
LA Kings (5) (Eliminated by the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1)
Dustin Penner, F, Maine, 18GP, (3g-2a—5pts)
Rob Scuderi, D, Boston College, 18GP, (0g-3a—3pts)
Alec Martinez, D, Miami, 7Gp, (0g-2a—2pts)
Matt Greene, D, North Dakota, 9GP, (0g-2a—2pts)
Jonathan Quick, UMass, 18GP, 9-9, .934 SV% 1.86 GAA
Pittsburgh Penguins (10) (Eliminated by the Boston Bruins 4-0)
Paul Martin, D, Minnesota, 15GP, (2g-1a—11pts)
Chris Kunitz, F, Ferris State, 15GP, (5g-5a—10pts)
Douglas Murray, D, Cornell, 15GP, (2g-1a—3pts)
Mark Eaton, D, Notre Dame, 8GP, (0g-3a—3pts)
Matt Niskanen, D, Duluth, 15GP, (0g-2a—2pts)
Brooks Orpik, D, Boston College, 12GP, (1g-1a—2pts)
Craig Adams, F, Harvard, 15GP, (0g-1a—1pts)
Joe Vitale, F, Northeastern, 6GP, (0g-1a—1pts)
Tanner Glass, F, Dartmouth, 5GP, (1g-0a—1pts)
Beau Bennett, F, Denver, 6GP, (1g-0a—1pts)
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Maple Leafs toughest test for Bruins?

Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I can't believe that someone would write this article. A loss, is a loss. Every series is different. It was like the Boston Bruins were a different team after they were done playing the Leafs as well. For what ever reason.
Kevin McGran, Sports reporter -- Leaf Nation must look at how the Boston Bruins manhandled the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins and wonder what might have been . . . if only the Maple Leafs had held on to that Game 7 lead.

The Leafs, however, aren’t wondering any such thing.

“We lost,” head coach Randy Carlyle said emphatically, putting the notion to rest.

“You can look at it and hypothesize we would have had success, but that’s far from guaranteed,” added goalie Ben Scrivens. “And I’m sure if you would have asked the Rangers (about the possibility of) playing Toronto, they probably would have thought they’d have had a pretty good shot against us.

“There’s a lot of speculation. I don’t know if I would go so far as to say we would have had as much success. Obviously we have a lot of faith within our group that we can get the job done.”

In a surprising twist given the one-sided Boston-Toronto matchup the past few seasons, the Leafs had more playoff success against the Bruins than did the playoff-experienced Rangers and talent-loaded Penguins.

And figure this out: Phil Kessel’s four post-season goals vs. Boston are more than Rick Nash (2), Brad Richards (1), Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin (zeroes) combined.

What did the Leafs do that Pittsburgh should have?
Sounds like Maple Leafs are still smarting from their game seven collapse to the Boston Bruins.
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Saturday, June 08, 2013

Eastern Conference Finals: If only the refs called more penalties

Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I am seeing a theme emerge this morning, the non-call that led to the game winning goal in game three in overtime, the uncalled interference call on Crosby in game four.

 You would have thought that the Penguins were totally hosed in the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Bruins. I guess the Penguins fans didn't see any of the numerous infractions that went uncalled against the Bruins that could have led to another power play in their favor.

 All that I heard after game one was Crosby whining about the officiating and how the Bruins were getting away with bloody murder. Did he see Jonathan Toews getting mugged on the ice against the Detroit Red Wings? It’s not just him.
Ken Campbell, The Hockey News -- There is not enough space in this column or any other to chronicle the litany of blown calls and shoddy work done by the supposed best officials in the world during these playoffs. But wouldn’t you like to, just once, see an important game that is officiated to the same standard as one in the regular season? And it all comes down to one of two things: Either the officials are making up their minds to be far more lax during the playoffs in the name of “letting the players decide it” or the league is mandating they change their approach. Neither one of them, quite frankly, is very appealing.

Case in point was Wednesday night in Game 3 of the Boston-Pittsburgh series. Had referees Marc Joannette and Dan O’Rourke called all the violations of the rulebook, there probably wouldn’t have been enough players to play 5-on-5 at some points in the game. Then again, had they called the fragrant fouls early, perhaps the players would not have gone through the game thinking they could get away with pretty much anything.

Instead, the two of them made it very clear that they were going to call next to nothing. Then what happened? Well, Jaromir Jagr clearly hooked Evgeni Malkin in the neutral zone and scooped the puck from him, a play that ultimately resulted in Patrice Bergeron scoring the game-winner in double overtime. Basically, Joannette and O’Rourke set the standard and the players responded to it and the game was decided in large part by a restraining foul that clearly should have been called.
Here’s my question, did Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins have the mindset that they were entitled to a Stanley Cup? It seems like the Penguins were never in this series. I almost think that the Bruins were the one team that they didn’t want to play from the start.

During the series, the Bruins took away the Penguins time and space and made it tough sledding for the Penguins offensive players. The Penguins never really seemed to make the necessary adjustments until game three and by then it was too late.

On the other side of the ice, the Bruins players got to the dirty areas to score goals and do the little things that they had to do to push their team over the top. Hockey is about making adjustments; the Boston Bruins made the adjustments and did what they had to do to win this series, the Penguins did not.

What if? What If the refs “had” called more penalties and called the games more tightly? Does anyone think that it would have really would have made much of a difference? I don’t… Both teams combined were 0-26 on the powerless play. Maybe the refs were saving us the agony of having to watch the Bruins and the Penguins suffer on the power play.

Here’s some numbers for you; “0” – here’s how it looks; Evgeni Malkin (0g-0a—0pts) -5 Sidney Crosby (0g-0a—0pts) -2 Jarome Iginla (0g-0a—0pts) -4. Tuukka Rask was the first goalie to have two shutouts in a series since Phiadelphia Flyers goalie Michael Leighton in 2010 Eastern Conference finals versus the Montreal Canadiens.

Now that the Boston Bruins have swept the Penguins, and they're going back to the Stanley Cup Finals - for a second time in three seasons - we can finally give the Bruins their due.



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Friday, June 07, 2013

(Video) Game Four: final minute and a half of Bruins and Penguins and then the Handshake



Wow! What a mad finish to the end of a great game. This was a hard nosed series. Hard fought series. The Boston Bruins are going back to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in three years.







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Daniel Paille hit on Sidney Crosby



 Mike Milbury from NBC Sport Network didn't like this play and thought there should've been a penalty called on the play. I don't know. I looks like Sidney Crosby skated into Daniel Paille, but who knows, it really doesn't matter now since the Penguins didn't score on the power play anyways.
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Boston vs. Pittsburgh game 4; 0-0 after two periods.


Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic is 25 years old today (6/07/1988). A good birthday present for Mr. Lucic would be a series win against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Game four

Period 1

Bruins  0  - Penguins  0

Peroiod 2

Bruins  0  - Penguins  0

Shots 20 - 17 in favor of the Penguins.

Period 3

3RD PERIOD 05:01 BOS A. MCQUAID (2) SLAP - ASST: B. MARCHAND (9) AND P. BERGERON (6) 1 - 0 BOS

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Thursday, June 06, 2013

(Video) Brad Marchand and Chris Kunitz incident



Okay, I have to admit that this was a bush league move, I admit it, I am not condoning this play one bit. It's a cheap play. I don't know any Boston Bruins fan or media member that excused this play. It's unacceptable. 

Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand was given a two minute minor penalty for kneeing and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Chris Kunitz was given a two minute minor for slashing. 




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