Posts Tagged ‘Jordan Staal’

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Belarussians – The Good and Ugly

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

A little off topic post today but since we are talking about Belarus that is close to home for me. I am only going to talk about the good and the ugly, skip that ‘bad’ nonsense. So whats good for Belarussians? If you haven’t followed the Pittsburgh Marathon then you probably have no clue who Alena Vinitskaya is. Neither did util yesterday when Kristen (@pghsciencenerd) told me. Well apparently Alena Vinitskaya a 36-year-old woman from Belarus who has two children under 5, captured the women’s title, doing so in 2:42:33, besting her nearest competitor, Phebe Ko, by more than three minutes. Pretty amazing right? Read more here. Here she is in all of her glory, all wet but smiling!

So that was the good. Now to the ugly part which believe it or not deals with Habs. As some of you already know there are two brothers from Belarus that play on Canadiens team, Andrei and Sergei Kostitsyn. I follow them pretty closely since there aren’t that many Bearussians in NHL. During the Olympics Andrei Kostitsyn was injured and couldn’t play for team Belarus. However, Sergei was playing and he was by far the best forward on the team. He was leader in points scoring 2 goals and making 3 assists. Pretty solid performance by him all around. It was pretty clear to me that when put in the position of a leader Sergei is a clutch player. Well unfortunately thats not the story when he is playing with Habs. Watching these playoffs series with Montreal i couldn’t find him on the ice. At first i thought that he was injured but after digging in deeper i found out that he was benched as a healthy scratch for most of the playoff games. Apparently there is something ugly going on within the Habs team and this might work to Penguins advantage. I found the following article, unfortunately it was in French but thanks to Google translate for helping me out here. Well apparently on Tuesday’s practice Sergei left the practice and did not wish to participate. Carey Price did not really appreciate the decision of his teammate. Price went back in the dressing room for a new stick and get to wipe his face, Price did not hesitate to express his displeasure Kostitsyn.

“Why are not you on the ice?” Said Price to Kostitsyn. With no response from Belarusian, Price asked: “Did you hear my question?”

“This is none of your business,” Kostitsyn replied before finally taking the path of showers.

Discouraged, Price shook his head, replying with derision: “Well, Sergei.” Price then returned to the ice along with Jaroslav Spacek and Ben Maxwell.

Today Pens report that Sergei Kostitsyn wasn’t at the morning skate.

The article goes on to say that Sergei might not have much future with Habs after these playoffs end. It also speculates that Sergei might leave NHL all together and go play with KHL. I would love to see Sergei come play for Pittsburgh. I think with the right team attitude he could truly blossom and show us his abilities. I want Ray Shero to sign Sergei Kostitsyn!!! Put him on the line with Geno instead of Poni or Tenk and those two could make magic happen, no doubt!

Well unlike Sergei … and i dont know how he does it … Jordan Staal was present at today’s practice and apparently is a game-time decision for tonights game!!! WOW!!! I AM SPEACHLESS!!!

Dupuis, Letang, Malkin & former Penguin Philippe Boucher at practice this morning

Got my copy of the hockey news today …

and their winner is …

Sidney Crosberry!

LETS GO PENS & BELARUSSIANS!!!

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Matt Cooke Monster On And Off The Ice

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

One of the Habs fans told me winner of yesterday’s game will win the series. Good luck biting your nails now buddy! Huge game for Pens. My predictions for Geno stepping up came true he was running wild on ice like horny unneutered dog. Mama’s borscht does magic. Geno second star of the game with a PPG.

imma score!

Thanks Seth from EN for this …

The Penguins’ top ten career leaders in postseason game-winners:

Player Goals
Jaromir Jagr 14
Mario Lemieux 11
Kevin Stevens 9
Ron Francis 8
Evgeni Malkin 7
Sidney Crosby 5
Maxim Talbot 4
Michel Briere 3
Rob Brown 3
Tyler Kennedy 3

Puck Daddy Chatting with Evgeni Malkin: ‘There is a lot more dirty play; but that’s why the playoffs are so interesting’

First star was given to Fleury who was absolutely flawless in this game. That was Fleury’s 4th career playoff shutout. Worth mentioning that Mark Letestu had a great game in his NHL playoffs debut. He got pucks to the net, cycled the puck well and was playing well defensively. Third star should have been given to Matt Cooke but since the game was in Montreal it was given to baby-shorty Gionta. Cooke was playing hard the whole game, no scratch that, he has been playing hard the whole post season. Recording 4 goals just trailing by 1 from both Geno and Sid. He is physical and plays both ends of the ice. I want Cooke to get resigned at the end of this year as his two year contract is going to expire. I can’t imagine Penguins without Cooke and when he is getting resigned i will be sure to pick up his jersey.

Cooke is a monster on ice. However, his contributions do not stop off the ice. In fact he and his wife Michelle have created The Cooke Family Foundation Of Hope to give something back to the community. The foundation was brought to life in 2006. The couple both grew up in small towns where the values of sharing with neighbours and helping out in the community were deeply ingrained. The catalyst for creating the Foundation came from Michelle’s family. Her brother Brandon and his wife Jamie were high school sweethearts and expecting their first child, Hope. Something went wrong and Hope was born without a heartbeat. After her funeral Michelle and Matt knew they had to do something to counteract this devastating heartbreak. And so the Foundation was built, literally, on Hope.

Here are some pics i was able to pull down from The Cooke Family Foundation Website.

Check out Mario Lemieux’s new skate line … http://www.mlxskates.com/

This date in @mellonarena history…5/5/85 – The Firm (Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers, Chris Slade & Tony Franklin) drew a crowd of over 10,000.

@pghpenguins Jordan Staal is practicing this morning in Montreal! News of the day is that forward Jordan Staal is on the ice in full equipment.

TSN reports that depending upon the healing process it is possible that Staal could join the Penguins drive by the Conference Final.

How about some skate protection?

Team Lemieux runners raised over $15K for the Mario Lemieux Foundation at the 2010 Pittsburgh Marathon. Thank you to the runners and to everyone who pledged their support!

From Foleys Bathroom

LETS GO PENS!!!

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Jordan Staal Skating At Practice

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Want to talk about Miracle On Ice? Considering the fact Jordan Staal had a surgery on Saturday morning to repair a torn tendon this truly is a miracle. Staal was back on ice for practice this morning for a brief period of time. Goes to show how much grit and determination he has. Its no surprise he has almost perfect NHL regular season attendance. Since 2006 he missed only ONE game during regular season. Impressive? You bet! Surprising? Not really if you know Jordan Staal well.

You might remember one of those monday night games on December 21st this season when Jordan Staal got almost half of his nose cut off by a puck. Something like that would side line any other player for at least 2 games. Not our Gronk! He came back that same game to play. What a man!

Seems like Dan Bylsma wants our boys to crush the net and screen Halak more effectively in todays game. Max Talbot has Dan’s back.

Talbot’s mom is a gambler. According to NationalPost.com his mother, a high school teacher, has a bet going with her students that the Penguins will win. It is a wager that has made her very unpopular at the moment. ”She’s cool with it,” Talbot said. “She can take the heat.”

My home boys Kostitsyn brothers are taking some heat in Canadian press. My opinion on the topic is i couldn’t care less they are playing Pens.

According to Penguins Practice report Mark Letestu centered the third line and could make his NHL postseason debut!

Troy Crosby interview.

I think the effects of home made borscht should be kicking in today. I am expecting a big game from Evgeni Malkin.

pink geno

LETS GO PENS!!!

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Be Part Of Mario Mosaic At Consol Energy Center

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Pens opened up the series with a huge thrust. Apparently no one told Habs or the league that Pens were amazing on the power play, at least for one game. You know you are playing a great game when kids like Craig Adams and Alex Goligoski  are scoring goals. Habs lost Andrei Markov who is out indefinitely with a lower body injury on clean hit that was delivered by Matt Cooke. In return Habs took out Jordan Staal who is out indefinitely as well. Dan Bylsma updated media on Staal’s condition stating “a procedure to repair a lacerated tendon in his foot.” “As far as a time frame goes we will not put a time frame on it at this point,” Bylsma said. “But he has not been ruled out for a return.”

Game 2 looked much like one of the last few games in the Caps vs Habs series. I am sure Dan Bylsma has a plan of adjustments for game 3. What i personally want to see Pens do is get in Halak’s face, less plays from behind the net and more plays in front of the net. Poni is not doing what he is supposed to do. I want to see guys like Craig Adams and Matt Cooke step up and score goals because its clear that Habs D will be all over Crosby and Malkin but unlike Ovie and Semin our boys actually know how to pass the puck. Loss of Staal has huge impact on PK and we simply can not afford to take stupid penalties such as interference penalty that Fedotenko took in the first period of game 2, simply unacceptable.  I am sure Tenk has best intentions and his attendance at optional practices show just that, but he might as well has been wearing Habs jersey in game 2. I want to see him step up and play like its 2004 SCF game 7.

Pens In 5!

Want to be part of Mario Lemieux Mosaic? You can reserve your place in Pittsburgh’s new Consol Energy Center and help Mario give others a chance to win! For just a $66.00 donation to the Mario Lemieux Foundation, your photograph, combined with thousands of others, will create a 20’ x 8’ Mario Mosaic that pays tribute to the career of Pittsburgh Penguins hockey legend and Hall-of-Famer, Mario Lemieux. The mosaic will be displayed in the main lobby of the new Consol Energy Center, allowing the general public to view the mosaic during regular business hours free of charge! Details here … http://www.mariomosaic.com/

Speaking of Consol Enegry Center. Have you seen these photo updates?

“The Penguins Beard-A-Thon has already raised just over $66K for the Lemieux Foundation…..like that number……Let’s Go Pens!”

One-On-One With Former Pens Coach Michel Therrien KDKA Exclusive. VIDEOS: Therrien On Pens-Sens – Therrien On Geno & Sid – Therrien On Habs

Penguins sign Dr. Pepper Snapple Group for Consol Energy Center

The following were posted on LetsGoPens.com forums … thanks for sharing everyone.

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LETS GO PENS!!!

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Sidney Crosby Factor

Friday, April 30th, 2010

I know i haven’t been made any posts this week. I have been stuck working in Toronto, Canadia. No thats not a typo. So vent time first. Not meant to attack anyone in particular, unfortunately, cuz attacking particular people is way too much fun.

I had one of those light bumb over your head moments as i was stuck in a huge line at the Pearson International Airport. Canadians are just a bunch of slackers. Believe me i have been coming here for about 3 years and i have worked for multiple huge corporations. Everywhere i went i saw the same reoccurring theme. Canadians hate to work. I cant speak for French part of Canadia or even west coast or even anywhere but Toronto area. However, Canadians that live in Toronto are freaking bums when it comes to doing work. No wonder out of all the airport i have visited over my professional career i hate Pearson International Airport the most. The dreadful YYZ. People that work at this airport are bums. I think the only reason Canadia is somewhat afloat is because they have copied pretty much everything from USA. Such as our homework and such.

The only good thing that came out of this trip to Toronto, besides the strip club i visited, is that i learned a new joke which i will share with you here.

A guy married girl named Wendy. He loved her so much he decided to get a tattoo of her name on his penis. On his trip to Jamaica while peeing in a public restroom he got a major shrinkage so the only visible letters on his penis were “Wy”. The guy glanced at the Jamaican guy peeing right next to him and noticed that his penis had a major shrinkage as well had tattoo that said “Wy” also. The guy exclaimed, “Oh wow are you married to a girl named Wendy as well?” Jamaican  guy answered, “No mine says: Welcome To Jamaica! Have a good day!”

Ok, so if Canadians are such slackers when it comes to working how the hell were the Habs able to beat Capitals? There is a theory called, Slam Dunk theory. Imagine yourself at a restaurant and the cute waitress girl (or boy whatever floats your boat) is giving you terrible service. She constantly ignores you, gets your order wrong and then when its time to pay the check she comes over and starts talking to you. She gets into a conversation with you trying to convey genuine interest. What is she trying to do? Slam Dunk right before you have to pay to maximize her tips. Could it be that Habs were slacking the whole season, somehow made the playoffs and then once in the playoffs just Slam Dunked on Capitals. Its possible, however instead of focusing on how i will focus on what. What can we learn from Habs vs Caps series?

  1. Regular season stats don’t mean crap in the playoffs.
  2. Playing awesome D > having awesome O in the playoffs.
  3. Goaltenders on the roll can win series … even if you are down 3-1.
  4. Everyone needs to block shots.
  5. Ovie is overrated and not a clutch player in the playoffs.
  6. I miss Hal Gill.

So now that we covered that how do Pens stop Habs that are on the roll right now? Simple, you introduce the Sidney Crosby factor to the equation.

You get Dan Bylsma some burritos.

You get Geno’s parents into the arena.

You let Maxime Talby do his magic on ice.

You let Billy G do his magic in the locker room.

You let Flower rub on as many goal posts and crossbars as he wants.

You let Brooks Orpik give out as much free candy as you can and keep Jordan Staal on ice during PK.

You keep that playoff beard growing and just keep believing.

I am going to make a bold statement based on absolutely nothing and say that there is one more thing you need and its a broom because the Pens are sweeping Habs.

First game tonight at 7:00pm. My plane lands at 6:00pm. I am grabbing a cab and heading straight to Foleys. Thats how you define dedication.

LETS GO PENS!

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