Penguins 2, Flyers 1 – OT

The past two seasons, the Flyers have ended big win streaks for the Pens.  Not last night!!  It took a while, until Crosby PPGed so hard he almost fell over.  He is a little back-heavy, after all.

.gif by jordanstaals.tumblr.com

Not for nothing, Sid got all these points without even brushing his hair.

Then everyone including Tyler Kennedy couldn’t believe that Tyler Kennedy scored the OT game-winning goal.  Penguins win streak extended to 12 games!

Let’s love on Matt Niskanen for a minute.  First of all, his middle name is Norman.  It makes me think of the calf from City Slickers every time:

“Seat belts, Norman! Seat belts!”

Secondly, he’s been aces lately.  Check out last night’s highlights [video] –  the puck-drag  around the shot block at 1:34, then the behind-the-back to TK for the winner!  Nisky had the game-winner last week vs. Washington, giving him 4 goals in 25 games. Last year he scored 4 in 75.  He needs a haircut something awful, but look at that smile:

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Also, last night… Capitals 3, Rangers 2 – SO

WELCOME BACK, PIGLET!  At least we hope so.  Mid-last week, Nicky Backstrom had only 3 goals on the year.  THREE GOALS?

Yes. Horrifying.

But last night, NB19 scored the Caps’ first and last goals – the second being the 4th round shootout winner.

So while the bonus goal won’t count toward the season total, we know it happened.  That’s 3 goals and 3 assists in 3 games!  Give us the return of this face and the Caps could give the playoffs a run for their money after all.

I will also grudgingly point out that Ovechkin has 6 goals in 5 straight games.  The Caps have won 4 of those.  Maybe (maybe, maybe) he CAN lead this team, at least on the scoreboard.

There’s no way out for the Caps without Ovi and Backstrom and no more time to wait.  They jumped 3 spots in the standings this weekend, and are now 2 points out of 8th place.  They host the Islanders, Sabres and Flyers this week – all teams just below them in the East.

Please let this elevator keep going up.

Side note: If you’re not following Ovi’s fiancée Maria Kirilenko (@mkirilenko), you are missing the most excited Caps-related Tweets out there.  She might even be enough to make me like him.

You’re dad’s thinking, “Whew.  My daughter’s safe with this dork.”

Sorry to be late – the Penguins annual Skates & Plates benefit was a few days ago.  You know, the one where they get dressed up and try not to drop food on themselves, people, the floor give us something to blog about.

While I’m generally opposed to jackets with tails (on anyone but Mr. Peanut)…

(and Disney princes)

I can’t resist an event in which the Penguins make Matt Niskanen look like the Mayor of the Munchkin City.

Is ‘corsage pinner’ a job?  Related experience: I can make a poof in the front of my hair with one bobby pin.  Here’s my resume.

Kris: Are you nervous?

Sid: I hope they spaced the tables out far enough for me to fit through.

Kris: Well you look good.

Sid: Thanks.

Kris…

Sid: Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh (tugs at collar).

Of course it was all captured on video, again by the Duper Cam and endlessly on Tumblr.  Revel in the awkward.

Next year I think Skates & Plates should have lanes of ice between the tables, so the players can deliver your food like a 1950’s diner – on skates.  They could add paper hats and a choreographed dance routine.  So basically the dinner would be at Johnny Rockets and sound like Grease.  They could pull it off.

(Photos from Penguins Instagram)

When the Penguins aren’t working for tips, they sometimes play hockey.  The first period last night vs. Philly was not one of those times…

Unless you think this is hockey:

Yes, you.  You jerk.

No I won’t take it back. I’m really mad at you.

 I do support this, of course.  Peeking between my hands yelling, “No no no no!” and then “KILL HIM! ROAR!!!”

Good thing I kept an eye on the out-of-town scoreboard.  People at the Caps game gave me stare down for freaking out as these three goals popped up.

My phone could hardly refresh fast enough.  Wore the lady behind me right out.

And when I saw that Neal scored in a somewhat redeeming fashion?  I attacked @raedanda, in her puple pants.  Duck and cover.

I haven’t even watched the game yet, but this is my joy.

Sorry, Sad Ginger.  (NO I’M NOT.)

While I’m at it, CHRIS KUNITZ!  Having a year!  2G/1A last night, he now has 31 points and is behind only Crosby and Stamkos for the NHL lead.  [CBS Sports]  He even tried to save Disco Dan from a flying puck Monday night.

The Pens also got a goal and an assist from Dupuis.  If Sid’s linemates scored 3 times, you know he had 3 assists last night.  From the Pittsburgh Tribune:

Since the beginning of February, Crosby has produced 29 points in 16 games. He has at least one point in 13 of those games. Crosby has recorded seven three-point nights during that span.

Crosby’s career vs. Philly?  13 goals and 20 assists in 21 games.

Yeah, that’s right.

]]> http://whatsupyasieve.com/2013/03/08/skates-plates-prom-dates/feed/ 8 http://whatsupyasieve.com/2012/03/21/honk-for-hat-tricks/ http://whatsupyasieve.com/2012/03/21/honk-for-hat-tricks/#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:58:21 +0000 http://whatsupyasieve.com/?p=9721 Ohhhh, HAT trick. I thought you said PANT trick.  That’s how my jeans ended up on the ice.  Could I have them back?

Flower says, "THIS is the game I don't start?"

Nealmobile had a hat trick last night!  It was the second of his career and first with the Penguins, for a whopping 37 goals on the season.

Goal #1: Stand There, Look Pretty

James does a great job of being open in the right spot.  But look at that passing!  Sid, no-look to the outside to Geno cross-ice in the slot… I weep, it’s so beautiful.

Goal #2: Yaaaaaaaaaaay!

We heart rebounds. Listen to the fan yell when he scores, “Yaaaaaaaaay!” That’s either Kermit the Frog or me.

Goal #3: If You Just Smile

… and have a wicked wrist shot.  Look at him trying not to smile.

Post-Game: Aw, Shucks.

Some other guys played pretty well last night too, in the Penguins 8-4 win over Winnipeg.  TK had 2G, Geno had 2G/3A, Crosby had 4A.  Pucks were flying and TK came thisclose to a hat trick of his own.

Things I Love.

Pittsburgh is one point behind the NY Rangers, who take on Detroit at home tonight.  Go WINGS!  (Haha, what?!)   The Penguins host the Predators tomorrow – lets hope it brings them a shot at the #1 spot in the Eastern Conference!  I’m holding on to the Penguins/Capitals first round dream (and bank account).

Nisky & Nealer have guacamole dogs. (This was supposed to say "camouflage" but autocorrect FTW and I'm leaving it.)

PS: Remember when Crosby and Niskanen had that fight?  No wonder Sid picked Nisky, he looks harmless!  We want to bake him cookies.

Girls Puppies Love.

The calendar will be available on the Pens website before the end of the year.

Paul Martin auditions for the LL Bean catalog.

TK and the harvest display at Sam's Club.

We think it makes the perfect Christmas gift.  For us.  You have our address.

Someday, leeetle puppy you will be bigger than my muscles. But not for a long time.

James, your hair. For heaven's sake. It's not even windy.

@tk1448

They’re a little late to the party – Toews & Burish rocked this one in ’09.  But I have to say that the Pens boys upped the ante – hats + JStaal’s wig = infinitely more frightening committed.

Now what we’re really hoping for is Ovi & Mikey to recreate this:

Bad kitty.

I didn’t see the hit and I can’t find it online anywhere.  Who saw it?  Is Tanger going to get Shanabanned?

Also in Terrible, No Good, Very Bad news, Tyler Kennedy is out with “concussion-like symptoms” [link].  The team found out Sunday night, though Disco Dan says he does not know when TK was injured.  He didn’t play last night, nor will be play tonight.  On Saturday, he finished the game vs. Buffalo and even assisted on Staal’s goal at 15:09 of the third period.

This is an unacceptable development.  Don’t make me call a prayer circle.  The Pens say TK will be reevaluated shortly – good news, please, good news.

and maybe…

for about $2 million dollars.

Tyler Kennedy Appreciation Life continues.

Delicious homemade Rice Krispy treat heals all.

Fortified on sugar and sympathy, I feel strong enough to write something.

It’s been quite a year for me and the Penguins.  I traveled to Anaheim, Atlanta and New York for Pens games.  I made my poor dad drive 12 hours round-trip to Buffalo on Thanksgiving eve for a Pens game.  We invaded the ‘Burgh for a VIP all-Pens weekend.

On top of that, there was HBO’s 24/7.  You all know what that did, because almost all of you felt it.  Caps fans, Pens fans… I don’t care who you like (or if you like both, we’re all traitors turned here).  That series gave this game something it never had before.

Then Crosby went out.  And Malkin.  And you would have thought the sky was falling in on the damned NHL the way people carried on.  But the Penguins manned up and got it done.  What other team faced the loss of 50%+ of their fire power and still finished 4th in their division?  Racked up 106 points?  The Penguins had the 2nd most regulation wins in the NHL this season with 49 (5 behind Vancouver).

I could go on for ages, but I already have.  See posts on Max Talbot, Kris Letang, Tyler Kennedy and Jordan Staal. Sure Tanger went almost as long as Crosby without a goal, but what about Michalek and Asham putting up points?  Production came from every corner.

In the end… ugh.  The Pens let this one get away a little.  I hate to say that but when you’re up 3-1, you should win.  So this early summer leaves me feeling bitter and unsatisfied.  But in October, we’re getting the band back together and you’d better watch out.  We’re coming for you.

I’m proud of the Pens.  Hard work doesn’t always pay off and it’s not always enough just to want something so badly.  But never giving up is always worth it.

The Pens won 3-2 last night on a sweet baby barbecue sauce goal from Tyler Kennedy. [video] If you’ve never watched a Pens game with me, TK gets some of the loudest cheering.  He is my Who from Whoville, wha-hoo-na.

I want my two dollars!

LePretty had 2 assists in the win, good news since he hasn’t had a goal since Jan 10.  Points please, and I don’t care who scores ’em. 

PensTV treated us to a little backstage look at Crosby and Malkin high-fiving the team off the ice.  Sid looks so short a) next to Geno and b) without skates.  My heart did a triple toe-loop to see them though and if you can’t be an athlete, be an athletic supporter.  Max has no idea where to go and Flower cannot turn left (but he can do Blue Steel). [video]

Does this suit make by butt look big?

In a side note on awesome, Squishy scored twice.  This is the same man who had two teeth broken in game one, got a double root canal that night and was back in action for game two.  At 5’8″ and 176 pounds, imagine how many people told Martin St. Louis growing up that he was too small to play.  Where are those people now?  His pair wasn’t enough for the win, but the Bolts were definitely in this game to the end.

Two teeth. And no penalty!

And I love this photo.  The pressure on Steven Stamkos right now hurts my heart.  I don’t want him to start really scoring – not now, not against us – but it’s his first trip to the playoffs and Stammer’s slumping big time.  Five goals in 30 games slumping.  Great article on it here.

Stop looking at me, swan.

So here’s hoping Steve-o gets, like, two in the next game… and the Pens get five.  One each for Letang, Staal, Talbot, Kennedy and one for Flower while we’re at it.

2-point conversion

If you’re not a Pens fan (shame!) you may not be familiar with the wonder that is TK.  He’s one of those guys you love to have on your team – a spark plug, a spitfire: he’s a hustler, baby.  TK scored both goals in the Pens 3-2 OT loss to San Jose on Wed [Goal 1 video, Goal 2 video].  He was down low, battling, getting rebounds and making them count.  Kennedy has seven goals in the last 11 games and is just one shy of his career-high (14).  Keep them coming!

Happy Meal!

Plus, TK is so much fun.  He’ll drop the gloves with anyone.  He’ll be a TV weatherman and join Twitter just to post the ugliest Christmas sweater photo in history.  Would he do an interview with a face full of shaving cream?  Fershure.

Meanwhile back at the ranch:  Logan Couture scored, because he always scores.  Jordan Staal played 29:04 of the game.  Yes, that’s HALF.  Apparently the hair is working.  Brooks Orpik left the game with an injury in the first and did not return.  Did someone run around the Pens locker room yelling “Macbeth” and stabbing a voodoo doll?  Check Dawn’s purse.  If this gets any worse, Chuck and I are going to bust out our 2004 Red Sox Wardrobe and reverse this curse.  (Chuck, what do you think Keith Foulke is doing right now?)  But we’re going to be fine.  Just keep moving.

Mind the Gap