GAMEDAY 14 - WILD

Posted by Rick on Oct 31, 2009 15:50.

7:30 PM

Mellon Arena

Listen to the game at [WXDX]

If you have any questions for Mike Lange, Phil Bourque or Bob Grove join the Penguins Radio Network Facebook page.

You can submit questions via the discussion tab for the Crash the Net segments or Penguins Hotline after the game.

Happy Halloween!

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Champs for a Reason. PENS WIN.

Posted by #test on Oct 31, 2009 12:13.

Halloween is today. But Alex Goligoski dressed up a little early.

His costume: a Norris-caliber defenseman.

Down 3-1 with less than two minutes to play, and the Pens surging,

Al got a saucer pass from Bing.

Not only is it Goligoski's seventh straight game with a point, it's a big goal.

Last night was just another example of why the world champs are who they are.

Despite being up 3-1, Columbus slowly started to fade away.

In fact, the last 10:25 of the game, Columbus did not record a shot.

None of this would have been possible without the performance of goalie Brent Johnson.

He again kept the Pens afloat.

Pens are now 11-2. Getting 2 points in games like this means everything. Make a mental note of this one when the Pens are a point away from winning the division in April.

Pens play in like 4 minutes. And blog-wise, after a game like this,

we wish the Pens didn't play so soon.

We have to semi-hurry what should be epic.

Jump.

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GAMEDAY 13 - BLUE JACKETS

Posted by Rick on Oct 30, 2009 16:30.

7:00 PM

Nationwide Arena

Listen to the game at [WXDX]

If you have any questions for Mike Lange, Phil Bourque or Bob Grove join the Penguins Radio Network Facebook page.

You can submit questions via the discussion tab for the Crash the Net segments or Penguins Hotline after the game.

{jcomments on}

A pre-Halloween chill is in the air.

It's a good thing the Pens are at home.

Okay, they're not technically at home, but they're in Columbus which is pretty close.

It's interesting that the team is wearing their third jerseys tonight.

It's the first time since the Winter Classic that they've worn them outside the Igloo.

Maybe it feels like a home game to them too.

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Pinpointing Malkin's Injury

Posted by #test on Oct 30, 2009 07:25.

The Perfect Storm will come to a climax tonight.

It's Halloween.

The Pens are playing Columbus.

"Monster Nash" references will be handed out

like, well, free candy.

After the jump is the worst goaltending performance of the decade.

And we also found where Malkin strained his shoulder.

Exclusive information.

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Second Pensblog Commercial : 2005

Posted by #test on Oct 29, 2009 23:35.

Thanks to Benson and the boys from [Benstonium.com], [Mikey from 96.1], and The bitches from [Puck Huffers].

Go Pens

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An Igloo Runs Through It: "Lights Out."

Posted by #test on Oct 29, 2009 21:43.

A lot of other sites are doing stories about the Mellon Arena. And we can't resist.

So if you have a favorite memory of Mellon Arena, send it to us, and we'll post it.

Even if it isn't from a Penguin game, send it through.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Put "IGLOO" in the subject line.
If you don't want your name attributed to the story, let us know.
By sending us a story, you are agreeing that we can use it for anything.

This one is from BOB P. (zarley):

"March 19, 2006.

It was my senior year in high school. I probably could (and would) have student rushed every home game that season if my high school gave us student IDs. Some said I could use a report card, but whatev. I know someone with season tickets, so I still made it to every game he couldn't (close to 20 in 05/06).

On this particular night, however, I got tickets in C11 from my high school calculus teacher (awesome). Pens vs. Maple Leafs. Always a good time when a horde of belligerent Leafs fans come to town.

It was figuring to be another shitty game, with the Pens tied 0-0 with the Leafs midway into the 2nd period. All of a sudden with 7 minutes to go in the 2nd, the arena goes dark. Lights out. The whistle blows. The crowd gasps. Some kid probably pisses his pants. The guy that just bought nachos is livid. No idea what the players did, I couldn't see my hand in front of my face. Can't imagine it'd be easy skating in the dark. Some backup generator lights came on shortly, but it was still too dim to play hockey.

Then it happened. No idea where it came from. It started faint then grew stronger. "New arena! clap clap clapclapclap." Over, and over, and over. Even the Leafs fans were saying it. Those words would resonate through me the rest of the game. When the lights went out, I no longer cared if the Pens won or lost that game. They sure as shit weren't making the playoffs that season. As a Pens fan, this event transcended the game by sending a message to everyone: the NHL, the city of Pittsburgh, our ownership group, the cotton candy guy.

Keep in mind that at this time, there was still no set plans for a new arena. Isle of Capri was promising to pay for a new one if they got the Pittsburgh casino license. The other two in the running weren't. There was no guarantee that we'd have a hockey team in a few seasons. Scary times as a Pens fan. Never want to go through that again.

After going dark for a second time (said to be an electrical fire later), the game finally resumed. Scuderi (in pre-legend form) trips Chad Kilger on a semi-breakaway and Kilger gets a penalty shot. Goal. 1-0 finish.

In the grand scheme, the chant I participated in that night really didn't do anything. In a time of uncertainty, it felt like we could make a difference. Thousands of people chanting for a new home for the team they love. It was probably the most chilling moment I've ever witnessed inside the Mellon."

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Evgeni Malkin To Miss Two-to-Three Weeks

Posted by Rick on Oct 29, 2009 12:43.

Evgeni Malkin will miss two-to-three weeks with a shoulder injury.

Dan Bylsma announced it today after practice.

According to Rob Rossi's Twitter feed, Malkin has been injured for weeks.

He wants to keep playing, but Dan Bylsma has decided to sit him.

Malkin joins Sergei Gonchar and Max Talbot on the injured list.

Tyler Kennedy did not practice today either after missing last night's game.

The Penguins website reports that Kunitz was not in practice either.

It's not known what kept Kunitz and Kennedy out of practice, though Kennedy didn't play last night due to an "undisclosed injury."

The Penguins next game is tomorrow night against Columbus. It's unknown who - if anyone - will be called up to take Geno's spot in the lineup. The WBS Pens are in Winnipeg right now for a game tonight against the Manitoba Moose.

The team says they are "being cautious" by keeping Malkin out of the line-up and that his injury is not the same John LeClair-inflicted one that caused him to miss action in 2006.

The team is currently 10-2 and sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, but will the injuries eventually catch up to them?

Sidney Crosby is playing some unreal hockey right now, Alex Goligoski is doing a great Sergei Gonchar impression on the blue line and Marc-Andre Fleury has been solid. The team has a three point lead and a game in hand over the Rangers at the top of the Atlantic Division. It's still October.

Again, no one said this season would be easy. The Pens have clearly looked like members of the NHL elite so far this year and this injury may bring them back down to earth for a little while. The bridge may be getting a little busier today, but there's no reason to jump.

The team still has Sidney Crosby, Jordan Staal, Alex Goligoski, Kris Letang, Marc-Andre Fleury and some very solid depth.

They still have Jay McKee and Brooks Orpik.

They still have a 10-2 and record and it's still October.

At the most Malkin will miss about 10 games. It's going to be tough, but it's not going to be impossible and it's not going to be forever.

Go Pens.

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