LETS GO PENS!!!
Archive for February, 2010
Video Blog Post – Thanks @GhostWalker40
Monday, February 8th, 2010Pens Lose I Win A Dollar!
Monday, February 8th, 2010I woke up on Sunday morning at 11:35 am feeling kind of crappy but excited for the Pens game. Looked on gamecenter.nhl.com – game is, of course, blacked out. “Don’t miss another game” – my butt! Flipped through my hotels channels can’t find it. Can it be possible the game is not televised in Canada? I flip through the channels again … BINGO! I see caveman’s face on my tube … must be the right channel. I start chanting LETS GO PENS off of top of my lungs … i get a call from the hotels front desk to find out whats going on in my room. Its hockey afternoon in Canada i explain to them, hang up the phone and unplug it.
Crosby with a beauty 1-0. I jump out of my seat making all sorts of noises unable to restrain myself.
Few minutes later Liach goes to the box. Gogo to Geno who sets up wide open Crosby. He goes to the net Theodore craps his pants and its a PPG 2-0.
I pick up my cell phone to call some people to make sure they are not missing this game. No answer.
Our PK is making me proud … nothing for Caps in the first.
Second period starts and about a minute into it Gonchar goes to the box shaking his head … holding. PK is solid again.
Pens get PP and nothing good comes out of it.
Minutes later Schultz passes to Ovie across the neutral zone … he goes on the break away and beats MAF … 5 hole. 2-1
I start feeling uneasy but its Cooke to Kennedy to Staal who tips it in. 3-1
LETS GO PENS chant booms over the Holiday Inn Express.
My best friend who lives about 30 min away from DC messages me on the google talk … i told him night before that this game would be on the national television. I also told him a thousand times not to message me during hockey games because his knives, guns, and watches pictures are distracting during hockey game. He puts on the game just in time for Geno to Staal who beats Theodore with a wrist shot. 4-1
LETS GO PENS chant once again … is rudely interrupted by a knock on the door from the hotel personnel who diplomatically tells me to shut the hell up.
SUCK IT. I start planning my blog post in my head about how Pens end Caps winning streak as Fehr pick up his own juicy rebound and beats MAF. 4-2.
End of second Pens on PP. 5 on 4. minute later 5 on 3. Still nothing as the buzzer goes off to be continues.
Third period … starts with 5 on 3 PP but once again nothing goes in. Balls.
Caps are desperate and pressing hard. Ovie with a softie beats MAF. 4-3
My buddy asking something stupid on the google talk … like which Rolex watch would i like to get next? I tell him that the only think i want right now is for Pens to win. He continues to say its a done deal. I tell him he has no clue. He says i bet you $1 dollar Pens are going to win. I tell him to stop wasting my time as he knows nothing about hockey. Jinx.
About 5 minutes later off a faceoff Ovie gets the puck and beats MAF with another softie … i puke in my mouth. I don’t know how Flower didn’t stop that one. 4-4 Red hats starts pouring down.
Schultz goes to the box for questionable slashing call but once again Pens can’t bury it with a man advantage.
OT … Candy Man goes to the box for high sticking … Ovie hits the post and Knuble pokes the puck in. Game.
Pens lose but get a point and i win a dollar … thanks buddy … FOR NOTHING! Barf.
Speaking of watches … check out Sid’s Rolex Daytona.
If you want to get one … buy it here for only $12,000. Get me one as well while you are it.
LETS GO PENS!
Brendan Burke: A true champion for the cause
Saturday, February 6th, 2010PensHead would like to take a moment to extend our deepest condolences to the Burke family.
Hockey nation is in mourning today over the loss of Brendan Burke, 21, who passed away Friday as a result of a car accident.
Brendan’s courage and character were not only greatly admirable, but also inspiring to anyone who has ever faced hardships and descrimination in the sporting community or life in general. He will be sorely missed, but not forgotten.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will hold a moment of silence before their game today, 7pm Eastern 4pmPacific, against the Senators.
Please take this moment to reflect and honor the memory of such a brave, strong young man.
A true champion for the cause.
Pens Fall To Habs But Geno and Bylsma Are Here To Cheer You Up
Saturday, February 6th, 2010Pens fall to Montreal CanadiEns 5-3.
Pascal Dupuis (13) and Bill Guerin (17) both had a goal. Evgeni Malkin (20) with a beautiful goal coming out of penalty box on a break away. Seems like Fluery never fully recovered after the first goal which should have been an interference call. He was pulled after 4th goal against him and Brent Johnson took his place. Crosby reached 300 assists in his NHL career.
Now here is something to cheer you up. Thanks to Evgeni Malkin Girlfriend forums for this one. I found the following images and a funny story behind them showing typical Geno’s funny side. The article is from sovsport.ru and is in Russain but i will translate the funny part. Hope it makes you smile!
Story Behind Pictures – “Geno write, ‘I Love My Coach’ ”
At the end of the interview i asked Malkin to participate in a photo session. At first I wanted to take a picture of Malkin with Mario Lemieux – who is heart and soul of Pittsburgh Penguins. Even Mellon Arena is located on the street named after Mario.
Super Mario is owner of Pittsburgh Penguins and every so often after games he comes into the locker room. However, its strictly prohibited for media personnel to bother Mario. If Mario gives interview to one reporter than all of them come rushing in after. As a result Mario would forget his role of being quiet and retired millionaire and would turn into a “talking head”.
“Unfortunately, you can’t even take pictures with Mario. We are not going to bother him.” we were told.
To my reporters luck into the locker room walked in Sidney Crosby. He already put on his suit, fixed his blue tie, and styled his hair with gel. He gladly agreed to take a picture with his friend Geno.
“Is it ok if Geno is half a head taller than i am?” – jokingly asked Sidney.
… After that i asked Geno to write “To Vancouver!” on the board with a marker since in a week Olympics are starting.
Geno agreed. While he was busy enthusiastically writing the message, head coach Dan Bylsma walked by. He noticed that someone dared to write something on the board where he usually draws his game plans. “I love coach!” – exclaimed Dan in hopes that is what Geno is writing.
Geno translated, “Dan said that i am GREAT and an awesome Russian guy!”
Geno added a message for fans, “Cheer for us! Lets hope you have a great spirit that we can feed on. In return we will make you happy!”
Caps tomorrow!
LETS GO PENS!!!
Wayne Gretzky Is Playing For Team Belarus In Vancouver 2010 Olympics
Friday, February 5th, 2010
Well, maybe The Great One is not playing for team Belarus these Olympic games. However, there were some hints that he should from Belorussian readers of “Komsomolskaya Pravda” (KP) newspaper. KP broke the story of Wayne reuniting with some of his relatives in Belarus during his visit to KHL All Star game which was held in Minsk on January 30th. Here is a link to KP’s story, yes its in Russian, and no I am not going to translate it for you!
I know this is unrelated to Penguins but being that i was born in Minsk, Belarus this story is just too epic for me not to write about. Like i said i am not going to translate KP’s article instead i am going to translate this article on the same story which contains full interview with Wayne. Are you ready? Enjoy …
Great Canadian hockey player reunited with some of his Belorussian relatives in Minsk.
There lived a Belarus Terentiy Lavrentievich Gretzky. It wasn’t a sweet life for him in the Russian Empire, and sometime in the beginning of the 20th century he decided to test out his luck overseas leaving war and ruins behind him. With his wife Anna and son Zinoviy, Terentiy headed to to Canada. It seems that quality of life really improved for the family from Belorussian Podlese, since 4 more kids were born – Fedor, Vasiliy, Ekaterina, and Olga. As “Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus” reporting that family story is not fully known about what happened in Canada, however Anna and the kids sometime around 1930′s returned to their Belorussian village, which was located close to Polish border. It seems that Terentiy soon should have follow his wife, however that never happened. Anna couldn’t reestablish her new life without her husband and wanted to return overseas, however that also didn’t work out.
Terentiy without waiting for his Anna, got remarried to a Polish girl. They had kids. A son, Walter was born. Walter had a son of his own – Wayne. Wayne became a great sportsman – Pele of hockey.
When Belorussian branch of Gretzky family tree once again heard the name Wayne Gretzky, they decided to find out if he is related to them. Galina Soldatenkova – granddaughter of Terentiy from Belorussian city named Svisloch, remembered that her father Zinoviy for a long time exchanged letters with his father, who sent him pictures from America. He also wrote about Wayne, and called him by a Russian name Vanya.
There came a letter from America from Albert Gretzky – uncle of Wayne. Everyone was sure that they are related. However, nothing more than a few more letters came out of it. This story in general terms was told to us by Galina Soldatenkova. Turns out they have the same grandfather in common.
When Wayne came to Belarus, Canadian hockey player found out about his existing Belorussian relatives, after which he called his father Walter in Canada.
- Dad said that he is coming to Belarus this summer, to meet with the relatives, – said Wayne the next day.
After dusk Belorussian relatives of Wayne Gretzky arrived in Minsk, and after KHL All Star game which took place at “Minsk-Arena” met with Canadian hockey player in hotel called “Europe”.
Wayne gave all the kids Belorussian candies
Despite busy schedule of meetings, Wayne found the time to meet with Galina Soldatenkova. He returned from All Star game, slept for hour and a half and decided to dedicate 30 minutes for the meeting.
He came down the hall at exactly 8pm. Well dressed – blue jacket, brown kashmir scarf with matching boots, and snow-white dress shirt.
- Its really him. He looks similar – whispering Belorussian relatives. It seems like they might still think that the star won’t come over.
However, Wayne scanning with his eyes trying to find the translator, together they headed right for our company. Orders a beer from the bar. He greets everyone.
- Brother, over here, – Galina inviting him to join her on the couch.
- How are we related? – right away asks Wayne. It seems like he is still startled by the sudden discovery of his relatives.
- It so happens that our grandfather Terenity…
- Ok! So he is also your grandfather? - Wayne asks finally realizing the relative ties.
- Together Terentiy and his brother Lukyanov were in America, – continues Galina.
- Oh Louie! – says Wayne finding the American version of the name.
- He has three kids … – says Galina
- … and they live in Chicago, – continues Wayne. - Grandpa and his brother first traveled to Chicago. Then grandpa left for Canada … My father really wants to come here this summer, visit these places.
- We are very happy, – Galina starts to show photos of kids of Terentiy, who live in Belarus, that are half brother and half sister of Wayne’s father.
- Uncle Fedor is still alive? - asks Wayne.
- Fedor and Ekaterina both still alive. She is 84. Fedor is soon turning 80.
- I don’t even think my father knows this … – says Wayne.
- Really? Maybe he doesn’t, – Galina continues to show photos. – This is my father and grandma in America.
- So this lady was married to my grandpa? - asks Wayne with surprised tone.
- Yes. That’s his first wife.
- How do you write Gretzky in your language? - asks Wayne.
Translator spells out the last name. ( Грецкий )
- Oh, this photo was in the newspaper? - asks Wayne seeing familiar photo.
- Yes, yes. Unfortunately, not many photos are left since our house burned down. All letters from America burned down as well…
- Ohh!!! Where are you living now? – asks Wayne.
- In Svisloch. Its located in western part of Belarus. 300 kilometers away from Minsk. Right next to Poland.
- Ohh yeah? My grandmother was from Poland, from Warsaw. They were married in Canada.
- We had a picture of their marriage. Do you still have photos of our grandfather?
- I have them at home. Give me your address and my father will send them to you.
- Please send us more pictures of all of your relatives.
- Of course! Be sure of that! My grandfather is a photo enthusiast.
- My father was a photo enthusiast as well! This is something they have in common.
- What’s your name? - Wayne directs the question to Galina’s grandson.
- Alexei.
- You play any sports?
- Voleyball.
- Okay. Thats very good. I am leaving tomorrow. I will give your address to my father right away. He will write you a letter, - promises Wayne. – He speaks Ukrainian. He is 72 years old. Grandpa Terentiy used to speak Belorussian. Grandma spoke Polish. They spoke Ukrainian among themselves. All the kids had Ukrainian as their first language. In 1972, during Canada vs USSR game, my mother gave TV interview and suddenly switched over to Russian and Ukrainian mixed language. Everyone was surprised. Also, my parents used to live on a farm, and their neighbor was from Belarus.
- How did life of our grandfather turn out? What did he do? – curiously asks Galina.
- Anthony (thats how he was called in Canada) was in second wold war in Canadian army. After that he was a farmer: grew potato, bred pigs, and chickens. I was close to our grandfather. Till i was 8 year old, every summer i would visit him. My father was helping on the farm for a few weeks during summer. Grandpa loved me the most. The rest of the grand kids were not too excited over that.
- It happens to have favorites, – Galina says while nodding
- When I just started playing hockey, my grandpa and grandma would come visit me during practice. When somebody would hit me during the practice my grandma would try to step up for me and hit them back!
- People say we look alike. What do you think? – asks Galina
- Well i am going to remain being Gretzky … maybe you want to take a picture? – says Wayne hinting towards ending the conversation.
Canadian smiles into the camera. Belorussian are little shy.
- Wait a moment! We have a gift for you, – exclaimed Galina taking out a box of chocolates. – Its for the kids!
This Wayne did not expect. Apparently, he might not even remember the last time when somebody gave him – a millionaire – a box of candies.
- This is from our Belovezhskiy Forest, – Galina took out a clay figure of a Belorussian-grandpa with a mustache and a bag with 4 chocolate bars.
Wayne ordered two bottles of wine from the bar and presented them to Galina.
- Silly me! Gave Wayne only 4 chocolate bars. He has 5 kids! – remembered Galina after saying goodbye to Wayne. – Its ok i also gave them a box of chocolates they can share.
The next day after return to Svislsoch, Wayne’s number of Belorussian relatives increased by one. Galina’s granddaughter was born.
Gretzky Family Tree
LETS GO BELARUS!
Are You Ready For Olympics?
Thursday, February 4th, 2010While i am busy slaving away in Toronto working hard for a huge and well known financial company of Canada, the quality of the posts have significantly gone down. What did you expect? ShutYour5Hole is too busy with her midterms and bashing team Belarus while MouthFullOfTang is no where to be found today. Anyway, here is another crappy photo blog post. Hope you don’t enjoy it because i just took pics from penguins website and pasted them here. Read here … Penguins’ Olympians Model National Team Jerseys and memorize the schedule here. You will be quizzed!
Edit: i was able to find some high resolution photos than the Penguins website had to offer … here they are …
Evgeni ‘Geno’ Malkin’s Older Brother … Denis Malkin
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010I have been looking for pictures of Geno’s brother for a while … and was not able to find any until i joined Puck Bunny forums. Not really sure why people call it the Puck Bunny forums … i haven’t seen any Puck Bunny behavior there yet. Since i don’t really like the name Puck Bunny i am going to refer to the forum as Malkin Girlfriend forum. 
Anyway, its a gold mine out there i can’t believe i haven’t joined earlier. A big thanks for the ladies out there who have compiled a huge collection of Geno pictures. Anyway, i was able to find 2 pictures of Denis Malkin, Geno’s older brother. Obviously, Geno is the better looking one
According to RussianProspects.com Evgeni’s brother Denis who is one and a half years older, also tried his hand at hockey, but he couldn’t crack Metallurg’s roster and instead of playing for Mechel who tried hard to get him, decided to end his hockey career instead.
When Geno was asked … “Does your brother follow your career?”
Geno said, “Of course! He didn’t go far away from hockey. He’s busy with a hockey shop that we recently bought with him together. I hope that in this area, things will go well with him and he will be able to make it big. ”
LETS GO MALKINS!!!
4 Painful Days…
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010Looking for something to do during your 4 DAY game break!!!!?
Here are some great segments from NHL live breaking down various Olympic rosters and highlighting key players.
Enjoy.
Penguins Bipolar Disorder
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010Games like tonight cause psychological disorders. After a bipolar game of hits and misses, from trailing by 2, to leading by 2, to finding ourselves clinging to a 1 goal lead on the PK with 2 minutes left of the game, the Pens came out on top with a final score of 5-4.
Letestu scored his first NHL goal early in the 1st to give the Pens the 1-0 lead. Buffalo answered back with 2 quick goals and returned in the 2nd to score yet again and take the 3-1 lead.
Pittsburgh wasn’t ready to throw in the towel. Crosby responded minutes later on the PP, followed by a long anticipated goal by Jordan Staal which tied the score at 3. After an extended period of 4 on 4 hockey Bing decided to show off by racking up two more goals within the period for his 5th career hatty. Crosby is now tied with Marleau for the NHL lead in goals.
God that guy sucks.
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