You know it's a good morning when...

Some days when you wake up and sit in front of the computer, you zip through all those must-see bookmarks, and email and such and before you know it, you're sitting there thinking "Now what?". Aye, But not this morning for me. You see, I send props to thePensblog regularly, when I come up with a new stupid saying or joke, it's cause of them, some dumb photoshop, I found it over there. So this morning, their post, complete nonsense (more than usual, I must point out) including a truly moving rendition of "Over the mountain" and I forget there's more to the internet than this one page.

In conclusion, if you read this, stop wasting your time, go to thePensblog it's the right thing to do.

Where do you think this is from?

Also, I'd like to send a shout-out to our friends at Yahoo Fantasy Sports, thanks for rubbing it in:

LETANG: More Vitamin C than Orange Juice!

Honestly the best thing to come to me in weeks

Follow Up to Gabby

I was listening to Leaf Talk with Andy Frost after the Leafs-Thrashers game tonight and I heard a very interesting rumor that has been floating around which relates to the Gabby post made earlier. Apparently, the Thrashers are in talks with the Wild to get rid of their best and quite possibly their only player, Ilya Kovalchuk. It would be a packaged deal with possibly Colby Armstrong, because really what team would want just Kovalchuk. Coming back to ATL would be..yeah you guessed it, Marian Gaborik. Why would Gaborik want to leave Minny and play for the Thrashers .. little known fact about Gabby, he doesn't like the cold. So whether this goes through or not, we will atleast know one player actually plays hockey in Atlanta, and that will help us all sleep at night.

Get Me to TB

New realization, if I was a shitty NHL-er I'd want to play in Tampa. Look at it this way, one of the better climates in the league, no other talent to make you feel bad about yourself, and with that being said, no one is disappointed if you suck cause the whole team sucks. Win-win...-win.


Think about it-Malone did. (Sweet video)

Gabby! The NEXT big thing!

So, now that the whole Sundin debacle has ended (I thank every god three times daily for this) and by ended I clearly mean he finally signed with someone and now all we need to do is ignore all the crap about getting ready and fitting in and such and such...

BUT what I'm trying to bring about is something I meant to push for a lot sooner, Marion Gaborik trade talk. Clearly, the Wild want to get rid of their franchise player, cause he doesn't fit in. I mean who else plays for them? Demitra (Hi, I'm Pavel, nice Demitra.) oh wait isn't he a Canuck now? Um what about Brian Rolston? Nope, he now calls Jersey his home... Does anyone else play for the Wild?

Reality check, some people might bring up Derek Boogaard, Niklas Backstrom, or even Eric Belanger (especially if he's stolen your sweater). And how many people can list at least three players from St.Louis, or Columbus, or Atlanta etc... So the Wild doesn't have much going for them, which is what makes this more fun.

five goals in one game IS impressive.

I think Gabby should get injured again soon (it's a given he's gonna be out again, it's just a matter of when) and then the Wild should really try to get him off their hands, 'cause everyone likes an injury prone star, right?

Really I don't know where this is going, but Gabby is my new thing, hopefully TSN takes notice.

EXCITMENT and a New Direction

So first of all I'm super excited about MAF being not only back in the line-up tonight but starting, and the Penguins are playing Atlanta so it should be a pretty sweet welcome-back party. But I shouldn't get too cocky, I mean Columbus did beat SJ last night...
And Whitney is on the brink of returning as well, which kind of begs the question, how did the blue line hold up so well? Clearly the talent isn't limited to the big names. -Braap LeGame Braap-

Personally, I will always enjoy the gold pads way more, screw any advantages white pads have.

On a completely different note, I've decided to play hockey myself and I'm looking for some off-ice drills and the such so i don't bring the suck nearly as hard. So if you have any fun (or not-so-fun) things to try and work on it would be superly duperly appriciated.The Real God.

-kc

I would like to throw in a nomination for the most douchebag looking hockey player of the year (they don't actually have to be one like avery to be win) ... Scottie Upshall, or as we all know him as .. Scottie Try-Hard. If I had enough money to get addicted to coke and go to rehab a few times I'd own a Flyers jersey with #9 and "TRY-HARD" on the back. No nomination would be complete without a picture so here it is folks...

"I look awesome with these wicked headphones..if only i remembered my iPod."

--kp

I Want Avery's Sunglasses

Enough said, these are beauties, they look like they could fly right off his face.

More interesting, and less likely to make you puke is that Whitney and Fleury will be back soon. Braap.

This is completely unrelated to anything, but it's clearly a gem. Words cannot describe how awesome this is.

-kc

Off-Season Review: Part 6: Candian Teams

Clearly when I said in alphabetical order by city I meant only the American teams, so now we get to the Canadian teams;

Calgary Flames

Main pick up: Todd Bertuzzi. Well enjoy dealing with him. And maybe if Kipper can keep it together (which he probably won't) they might make the playoffs.

Edmonton Oilers

Sent some players away for Eric Cole and Lubomir Visnovsky. Young talent like Gagner and Cogliano, and players who have been there FOREVER *cough* horcoff *cough* will maybe make the playoffs.

Montreal Canadiens

Gained Georges Laraque, tried to get Mats Sundin, got Lang and Tangauy. Lost Michael Ryder. Try saying Michael Ryder without a french accent. No really, give it a try.

Ottawa Senators

They lost long time Sen Redden, picked up old D-man Jason Smith and enforcer Jarkko Ruutu and added a bunch of depth players. Not much change though, still just ok.

Vancouver Canucks

They lost some key parts of their team the past several years in Naslund and Morrison. Also a loss of Linden to retirement. Replaced by .... *drum roll* KYLE WELLWOOD. Too bad he needs to lose some weight. And by some we all know i mean A LOT.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The MoLeafs lost Mr Captain of 10+ years, Mats Sundin. And really they didn't do much else except get a new coach. Also I know T comes before V but i figured I'd put the Leafs where they will end up at the end of the year.

Off-Season Review: Part 5

St Louis Blues

Wozniewski has arrived in St Louis. This is clearly not a Stanley Cup winning move, mostly because you need to actually make the playoffs to have a chance at the cup. Nice try though blues.

Tampa Bay Lightning

There was a road trip from Pennsylvania to Tampa Bay over the summer, Gary Roberts, Ryan Malone, Vaclav Prospal, and we are gonna pretend Recchi played for the Pens all last year. Soon we will here the 10 fans at Tampa Bay games chanting "WWGRD!!!"

Washington Capitals

It was a sad goodbye to long time goalie Olaf Kolzig this summer but they welcome Jose Theodore. They pretty much did nothing besides that move. Ovie for 82 goals this year??

Off-Season Review: Part 4

New York Rangers

Welcome Mr Markus Naslund to Broadway, we hope you enjoy your stay which you will because you won't have to deal with that douchebag avery or Jagr so you can have more ice time. Also Dmitri Kalinin (who spells there name like that without an 'i' or 'e') only had to move across the state from Buffalo. Atleast they have a good goalie, make that great goalie.

Philadelphia Flyers

These guys were oftly quiet considering their last off-season however not much work was needed. They got some depth at forward (which they really didnt need with Giroux and JVR coming up fast) and with Darian "The Slug" Hatcher on the IR it frees up a little cap room to make a pickup on D.

Phoenix Coyotes

Added Olli Jokinen and some depth players, but is phoenix really at the stage where they should be added so called depth players? i think not. Answers will come when spring rolls around, and we will see just how far Wayne has brought these dogs.

Pittsburgh Penguins

No one wants to mess with the Pens this year now that they have Satan on their side. But the lost of Gary Roberts has left everyone thinking what would Gary Roberts have done? With the loss of Laraque and Ruutu, Sid the whiny kid is going to have to stick up for himself this year.

San Jose Sharks

They have beefed up their blueline with Rob Blake, Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich, and by beefed up I mean not size wise but Stanley Cup winning experience, which is the only reason why this makes sense because the sharks have one of the top 3 goalies in the league and he can play 75+ games.

Off-Season Review: Part 3

So where did we leave off .. ah yes with the

Los Angeles Kings

So they lost their most well known and probably best player in Rob Blake to the Sharks, but they have JACK JOHNSON!! (too bad he is out 3-4months) and Kopitar and Frolov but none of them are ready to lead their team to the finals or even the playoffs.

Minnesota Wild

I've always been confused as to what a "Wild" really is and perhaps that is why no one cares about them. Little known fact for everyone, Owen Nolan is still in the league and is playing for the Wild, talk about a BIG off season move.

Nashville Predators

Signed some defence to multiyear deals, got rid of a goalie and some other old guys. Not too much to say about them, maybe they will show up on the radar come trade deadline time.

New Jersey Devils

This off-season was a call back to the devils of the good ol' days when Scott Stevens ruled the blueline at whatever their old rink was. Rolston and Holik were brought back and maybe this will mean lots of use of the new rink come spring time.

New York Islanders

Streit was added from Montreal which should help their goalie for the next 5 billion years if he makes it through the season. Also, they got Doug Weight to play with his old friend Bill Guerin and maybe they can score, but they aren't fooling anyone, they're going nowhere.

Garbage Whoot

While again KP goes ahead and makes a decent and respectable post, I feel the need to partner it with my own garbage. Because, I don't care enough, to inform everyone of every excitable fact, but rather what I find amusing.

Like Satan, and I will refuse to pronounce it properly, but rather as the lord of the underworld. I must admit that I enjoyed him when he played with the Devils (for the rather amusing coincidence it provided) but, I've seen him play with the Pens now, and I'm terribly excited.

I don't really know why he's with hussein either... meh

On a horrid note, the blue line…it really doesn’t exist anymore. We all took a blow when Whitney decided he needed foot surgery . But having to come to terms with the fact that Gonchar is gone, till the playoffs if we're all good children and eat our vegetables and not attack too many whores in dark alleys for their drugs…but I digress. We are having to cope with imagining a defense with out the two stars of the blue line. And it's hard, and as much as LeTang brings LeGame, and Goligoski (man, this kid needs a nick name and fast) is getting there, will they be here in time for le season?

who doesn't love a guy who feeds season tickets to kitties?

Game one, win!

Game two, lose? Yah that sucked…

Powerplay? Worse then the leafs 5 on 3 on a bad night. Yah what was that, like 294747290209345 man advantages and what to show for it…one measly goal.

That makes me depressed and unfunny, I apologize Mike, I shall make something up instead.

Ruutu…Jarkko Ruutu. DEAD TO ME. I morn the loss of a good friend, go burn in hell.

WWGRD Update: I still believe. It's not a question. It's a way of life.

And until he does something douchey to the Pens, he will be my god.

Remember: Death once had a near-Gary experience.

KENNEDY KENNEDY KENNEDY (super up an comer star with an ugly face…probably wouldn't even make the scale.)

I have nothing else to rant on right now, need a couple more games, possibly a few more players to obsess over, and some serious fantasy hockey point scoring to fuel my fingers.

Off-Season Review: Part 2

Colorado Avalanche

ALERT: BEST OFF-SEASON MOVE EVER!!! Avs sign super skilled goalie ANDREW RAYCROFT!!! RAZOR!!! And clearly by super skilled i mean in sucking and letting pucks in.

Columbus Bluejackets

Name 4 players on the Bluejackets. Rick Nash.... yeah that’s what I thought. Maybe you guessed Pascal Leclair who they resigned over the summer and don’t forget they got RJ Umberger last year from the flyers. Anyone smell playoffs? Nope didn’t think so.

Dallas Stars

Dallas picked up some people and lost some probably better people but who really cares about hockey in Texas when there’s Longhorn football to be played.

Detroit Red Wings

They got Marian Hossa, who has now become the most hated person in Pittsburgh, going from the losing team of the finals to the winning team, but just imagine the fun opening night in the joe for the ring and banner ceremony. Nice work Hossa.

Florida Panthers

According to Denny Crane the only panthers left in florida are at the hockey games but last time I saw a game from there it didn’t look like anyone knew this fact. Panthers picked up Bryan McCrap from the Leafs and a valid point was brought up by a friend, “If no one is there to watch you suck, do you still suck?” We will see this season .. or maybe we won’t.

-kp

Off-Season Review: Part 1

As the season approaches and everyone is getting back into the hockey spirit it seems like a great time to look back at the off-season team by team (alphabetically by city of course).

Atlanta Thrashers

Well...Ilya Kovalchuk anyone? They picked up some cheap free agents like Jason Williams and Marty Reasoner. Next to Kovalchuk, their best winger is Colby Armstrong...Yeah this team isn’t going anywhere anytime soon unless Kari Lehtonen can get his act together and keep pucks out of the net...But I wouldn’t count on that.

Boston Bruins

They were able to pick up Michael Ryder even if it was for a lot of money, and they have some young talent (Kessel, Krejci, Lucic) and they will have Patrice Bergeron back after being sidelined last year after a hit by Randy Jones. Also a good fight for starting goalie between Manny Fernandez and Tim Thomas, and Tuukka Rask waiting for his chance.

Buffalo Sabres

It was a bad year for them last year and it could be about the same this year as they lost D-man Brian Campbell and tried to replace him with Craig Rivet and have also resigned Teppo Numminen. They will not run into the Briere/Drury problem of two summers ago next year with Miller as he resigned this summer, and with Lalime as a backup I’m sure Miller will rack up the playing time. If the Sabres go to guys (Vanek, Roy, Pominville and Afinogenov) can pick up the pace from last year they will be alright.

Carolina Hurricanes

They added an alright defenseman in Joni Pitkanen for Erik Cole, resigned Eric Staal and have a good core group (Williams, Walker, and Brind’Amour). Should goaltender Cam Ward play as well as he did last year (37 wins, .904 save percentage) they should be alright in what once was the easiest divison in hockey.

Chicago Blackhawks

Oh boy, can it be. Good hockey may have returned to the Chicago area. With young guns like Kane and Toews (P. Kane and Capt Johnny T) and additions of Brian Campbell (for 8 years) on defence and Cristobal Huet (for 4 years) things are looking up for the Blackhawks.

Before we count our sheep

So before all us Pittsburgh and Detroit fans, get too cocky, here's something to keep us all in check:
The only two teams in the history of the NHL to lose a best of seven after leading the series 3-0 are Pittsburgh and Detroit...

Crap

1975 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders (quarter finals)

1942 Detroit Red Wings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (Stanley Cup finals)

And in case you're curious: Penguins playoff history and Red Wings playoff history.

-kc

Goal or No Goal

And now it’s time to play Goal or No Goal.

It is a very simple game. You pick a briefcase, in it is a year, we pick a goal or no goal from that year and you decide what the final call on it was. If you’re right you win, if you’re wrong you lose.

Let’s get started!!

Pick your first case.

*drum roll*

You have picked … 1999.

For this goal or no goal, we go to the Stanley Cup Finals game 6, the Buffalo Sabres at the Dallas Stars. This shot came in the 3^rd overtime period. Brett Hull of the Dallas Stars was the one who took the shot, and before he had the puck, his foot was in the crease. I remind you that in 1999 the NHL, it was illegal to score a goal if an offensive player's skate entered the crease before the puck did. So now it’s your turn, what was the call? Goal or No Goal?

No Goal.

*drum roll*

Oh no, so sorry but it was called a Goal. And it ended the series as Dallas won the Stanley Cup 4 games to Buffalo’s 2.

That’s ok the game goes on.

Pick your next case.

*drum roll*

You have picked … A DOUBLE YEAR CASE!!! 2000 and 2008.

This is a special case, almost the same thing happened in these two situations and they may or may not have been called the same. It’s up to you to decide.

In 2000 NHL Playoffs, 1^st round, Philadelphia Flyers verses the Buffalo Sabres. Its game 2, John Leclair shot the puck through the side of the net, through a hole in the mesh. This was reviewed by the NHL. In a similar event in the 2008 IIHF World Hockey Championships, in a game between the USA and Finland, Finland scored through the side of the net as well. The goal is reviewed and with much better review technology which allows in the reviewers to zoom in on the puck. And now to you, Goal or No Goal?

Both No Goals.

*drum roll*

That is a solid answer … too bad it is not the correct one. Both goals were called goals, even after reviewing them. The Flyers went on to win the game 2-1 and the series 4-1, while Finland started and completed their comeback and beat the Americans 3-2.

One more case. You need to get this one right or its game over buddy.

*drum roll*

And the year is … 2008.

Conference Finals, Battle of the Atlantic and the state of Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh Penguins verses Philadelphia Flyers. Game 2, puck goes off Derian ‘The Slug’ Hatcher and looks like it is going to go in. Until, Marty Biron’s glove covers the puck just as it crosses the line. The goal gets reviewed, but common sense would tell you that the puck crossed the line even though the glove covered it. Remember you need to get this one right, Goal or No Goal?

*Final Jeopardy Music*

Goal.

*drum roll*

Great answer, but I’m sorry…that’s not right. The goal was reviewed and called a No Goal because there wasn’t clear video evidence of the puck crossing the goal line, but the Penguins went on to win the game 4-2 and lead the series 2-0.

It’s game over for you but thanks for playing … Goal or No Goal.

--kp

High stick...to the FACE!

So while enjoying the game tonight kp and I learned something tremendously important:

High sticks to the face are no longer penalties.

Then we learned some more, here are the rest of those infractions which are penalties no more:

Boarding

Playing with a broken stick

Butt-ending

Charging

Checking from behind

Clipping (body-on-knee-ish)

Cross-Checking

Delay of Game (this one was accidentally called tonight)

Diving (*cough Crosby and Richards cough* I thought I’d make it fair)

Elbowing

Various Face-off Penalties

Falling on Puck

Fisticuffs

Handling puck with hands (hand pass)

Head-butting

High-stick (it’s been previously stated…but I like a comprehensive list)

Holding

Holding an opponent’s stick (NHL says they’re separate horrors)

Hooking

Interference

Interference by/with Spectators (hey, it can result in a penalty to the home team.)

Kicking

Kneeing

Obscene Language or Gestures (obviously this one is never called anymore)

Physical Abuse of Officials

Roughing

Slashing

Spearing

Throwing stick(s) (or even shooting them, or any other object too)

Tripping

So basically that’s a list of things you can now get away with, aka I made a list of things that should be a penalty.

I’m told this is playoff hockey. I don’t like it. This kind of refereeing benefits a bigger, rougher team, who usually takes a lot of penalties, and threatens the smaller, faster teams.

But there’s also a concern for the safety of the players, these penalties are rules for a reason, and not calling them is dumb. The next guy that gets boarded and ends up with a concussion, is the ref’s fault, just as much as the attacking player. The refs allow the players to make stupid plays when they’re supposed to be preventing it.

Got it? Good, rant over.

This has to be my favourite penalty of all time.

If you don’t believe me, or just have way too much time on your hands read the NHL rulebook yourself.

And this site is pretty cool too if you want to read more on les rules: 101 penalties

Finally, this is just simply amazing and you will waste at least a solid 5 mins on it: Picture-thinger (I don't know what it's called)

-kc

Random thoughts from Game 1: Pens 4 Flyers 2

So we have learned that the Flyers have no chance of holding off Malkin, especially now without their clear number one defenseman Kimmo Timonen. And the only Flyer who decided to show up halfway through the game is Mike Richards.

What was with that no goal call on the Flyers first goal? I realize you may have lost sight of the puck but the ref should have conferred with other refs, which I have seen before, before making a call. And the call on Orpik, there was a bit of a hold with the free hand but as stated by the commentator, that was not being called at all the rest of the playoffs, that should not have been called a penalty, just a good clean hit.

The only thing that is going to save the Flyers is the same thing they have been doing all playoffs, dump and chase. But to do this they must HIT when they are chasing it. There has been no hitting to speak of so far in the game, just over half way through the 2^nd period. The only way the Flyers are going to win is to be physical and get Crosby and Malkin off their games, and it seems that is it going to be tough to get the very hot ‘Geno’ off his game.

Side note to the game, in a feature shown in the 2^nd period, another example of how strange goalies are. Marty Biron has had the same skates for 12 years. That is about as long as he has been in the NHL, so we realize that most of the time these skates have just been worn on the bench while watching the number one goalies in net. However they still have lost most of their support, but Marty has found a way to create the support he needs. All it takes is 2-3 rolls of clear hockey tape, which he puts on before every skate, practice and game. That’s a lot of tape. If I had a nickel for every roll of tape he used, I would be rich.

Why is Patrick Thorensen in the NHL? He plays on the 4^th line, which is one of the weirdest 4^th lines in hockey. Jim Dowd, Patrick Thorensen, and Sami Kapanen? Speedy Sami Kapanen is on the 4^th line. Shows you the kind of depth the Flyers have up front, which is promising. But Patrick Thorensen, we all saw the huge give away he made to give the Penguins the first goal of the game

Flyers need to play more aggressive in their own zone. They are just hanging back and making weak passes. The passes need to be firm, strong passes or else you are going to turn over the puck to most likely Malkin or Crosby and then you’re done. Furthermore, the Flyers are playing like a bunch of Timbit Hockey kids, all 5 guys are chasing the puck around, and that leads to scoring chances for those Penguins left uncovered and mostly likely goals.

And in the offensive zone, Hartnell, what are you doing?? Get in Fleury’s face. Stick your butt in there like you did for Huet and Price. Jeff Carter, you are 6’ 3” 200lbs buddy, play like you have been built. HIT PEOPLE!! Take out Malkin or Whitney or anyone else you are going up against in the corner or in open ice. Take a look at the way Scottie ‘Try-hard’ Upshall plays, you have 3 inches on him, and he hits harder than you.

One last note, Bobby Clarke is an idiot.

--kp

Refs, and Bad Wings Hockey

For those of you who actually sat through Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, congratulations. I cannot imagine watching the whole game. From what I saw it was a typical Detroit Red Wings hockey game, flashes of great hockey but for the most part it was hockey that could put you to sleep and may well have. Don Cherry during Coach's Corner showed the fans after a hit by a Wings player, no fan reaction minus the one guy who raised his hands in approval of the hit. In the same clip, you could see the amount of empty seats at Joe Louis Area in what is supposed to be known as Hockeytown, USA. But Hockeytown it is not. This is the 3^rd round of the playoffs. There should be no empty seats whatsoever. NONE.

Who can we blame for this?

No not the fans, the team. The team is by far one of the more boring to watch on TV or live. This team rivals the trapping New Jersey Devils for most boring hockey I have seen. One Red Wing was in a scrum and was hit in the face by a Star not once, but twice and what was his reaction…he just skated away. This is NOT playoff hockey, but enough about the Wings and their bad hockey, back to the game and the refs.

When we look at this game one goal pops right out, the Detroit goal in which a Detroit player was clearly in the crease and impeding Marty Turco from doing his job. Earlier in the playoffs this would have been called off, but apparently it’s ok now. The one thing that all sports fans, whether they be baseball, hockey, basketball, football or soccer or anything else, is consistent rules, and for the refs or umpires to be consistent in calling them. I realize that all referees are different but even the same referees will call differently game to game.

So to those who plan on watching the game, good luck, and for those who aren’t going to watch it, good call, and let hope the refs make some of those too.

--kp

IIHF World Hockey Championship

Playoff Season, a time that everyone, fans and players alike, lives for. But when it comes down to it only sixteen teams make the playoffs. After a long season, the players on those fourteen other teams are done playing, just like that, or so it seems…

The IIHF World Hockey Championships, one of the many tournaments which the International Ice Hockey Federation runs throughout the year. Never heard of it? It’s because it happens at the same time as the NHL Playoffs. It’s a tournament where players gain experience that might be that edge to get them on an Olympic team, or just simply a place to play for your country for those who will never get a chance at the Olympics.

The World Championships are special for those who play and watch them, however this year they are even more special and note just because it is the IIHF’s 100^th anniversary. ‘And what can be more special than that,’ you might ask. Well, for the first time ever the championship is being held in the birth place of hockey, Canada.

In just under a week, 24 games have been played in Halifax and Quebec City. For any hockey fan in either of these cities, it’s like heaven. The biggest game in the tournament so far, could not have come at a better time for the IIHF.

Rivals in not only hockey, but just about anything you can think of, Canada and the USA. This game, which gave Canada their first really test, happened in the layoff between rounds 2 and 3 of the NHL Playoffs, and what a game it was. The Canadians were outplayed by the Americans for much of the game but were able to squeak by with 5-4 victory powered by the amazing play of the young goaltender from the Carolina Hurricanes, Cam Ward, and game winning goal by Dany Heatley, of the Ottawa Senators, who were swept in the first round by the Penguins.

Starting this later this week will be the Qualification round, which will decide which teams move on to the quarter finals. From there fans can sit back and see who are the worlds best, just about the same time we could be finding out which teams have survived the conference finals is going to play for the Stanley Cup.

The next time you are wondering how Shane Doan, Rick Nash, or Jay Bouwmeester are doing on the golf course, you really should be wondering how they are doing for Team Canada and that is every easy to check, just flip on TSN.

--kp

KP has done a wonderful job watching the World Championships, and obviously has too much time on her hands, but there is one thing I can add: Cam Ward is in fact Canadian (from Sherwood Park, Alberta actually) and not American like I had previously chosen to believe. In my defense, "Cam Ward" sounds very American to me... Crap, I lose.

-kc

The Penguins' Season - Nowhere Near Done!

This picture is just so awkward it completes any Penguin fan.

I felt compelled to write some sort of season review in response to the saga of the Flyers below, so here is my magnificent attempt:

The Penguin’s season last year ended with an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Ottawa Senators. You might try to say it was due to the lack of experience on the team, or the lack of performance from their stars, or dare you say it, all Marc-Andre Fleury’s fault, their young goalie. But it doesn’t matter, the defeat was embarrassing, and the Penguins were determined to make their next season even better.

During the off-season the awesome Ray Shero made some stellar moves, including acquiring Petr Sykora, and Daryl Sydor, and losing Chris Thorburn, Nils Ekman, Jocelyn Thibault, and Michel Ouellet. And honestly, other than Oullet who has a cool name, it wasn’t a big loss, with a huge gain.

And so the season started…dismally. Going 10-13-0 during the first two months of the season isn’t a horrible record I suppose, but it’s definitely nothing to be proud of.

But it was in December that things seemed to take a turn for the worse, the much worse. Everyone was injured and out, and when I say everyone, I mean everyone except Gary Roberts, because a broken leg never stopped him, or the high right ankle sprain…

Which incidentally became the Penguin’s new favourite term…and injury.

MAF (Marc-Andre Fleury) decided to jump on the band wagon, and was out, so Pittsburgh saw Dany Sabourin take his turn in net. And he was hot…for awhile… Cue Ty Conklin. If you don’t know who this guy is, stop pretending you care, and go play cricket. Yes, Ty Conklin, and if Sabourin was hot when he started, Conklin was on fire. Fans were even saying that Conklin should, and would replace MAF as starting goalie when he came back. Blasphemy I say.

But meanwhile, other crucial players were taking the “high ankle sprain” to heart. We lost Max Talbot pretty much the same time, and then it happened:

Sidney Crosby out with high ankle sprain.

As a Penguins fan, that’s a devastating thing to hear…it makes you sit there in shock for at least a good minute or two. Critics, reporters, and hockey fans alike, all said that the Penguins’ season was over.

HA!

Personally, I think it was the best thing that could have happened. Not really a Crosby fan, seeing Evgeni Malkin lead the team out of their little slump and finally showed everyone that the team didn’t need the Kid to win. And win they did. “Geno” Malkin at their helm.

Oh then came the trade deadline…we waved a tearful farewell to the trusty friend and goalie-runner Colby Armstrong, the shoot-out king Eric Christensen, and a couple draft picks, but we welcomed Hal Gill, Pascal Dupis, and… MARION HOSSA.

No, Hossa hasn’t quite lived up to his hype, but neither has Jordan Staal this year. Do we love them any less? No.

Do I hope Hossa stays around? Yes. Do I think there’s salary cap room for him? My answer: Is there room for everyone of this all-star team? Make your own call there.

Gill has provided the size and skill lacking on the blue line, and Hossa has proved to be a decent line-mate for Crosby.

The Penguins played some more good hockey for the rest of the season, and then tada, it was playoff time. They finished a beautiful second in the conference, and added an Atlantic Division title banner to the Igloo.

Round 1: Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa
Time for revenge.
And it was sweet.
Like sugar covered honey, with ice cream and sprinkles.
Sweep
Ottawa was done in four fun games.
Next.

Round 2: Pittsburgh vs. New York
They said this would be a tougher series.
I suppose it was.
5 games and done.
More media calling the Kid a diver and saying the refs were biased.
Honestly, is anyone still reading that stuff?
Next.

MAF is still on fire, his former hot-and-cold ways, seem to have been banished.

Crosby. Malkin, Hossa, Sykora, Ruutu, Malone, Staal, Talbot, Gonchar, Whitney, Gill, Hall, ROBERTS…need I go on? Is there a Penguin who has yet to score in the post season? Yah, like three of them, I think we’ll live.

Michel Therrien is a beast, that’s all I need to say.

Round 3: Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia
Eastern Conference Finals.
Division Rivals.
State Rivals.
Bring it.

-kc