Now that this is all over with, Let's Go Pens!
Matt@Penstation
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
A Change for Everyone
Penstation.info
As of this morning, Penstation.info will now forward to Penstation.blogspot.com. You don't have to change anything or update bookmarks if you don't like. Depending on site growth in the future, Pensation could move off of blogspot and into a private hosting environment. For now, continue visiting penstation.info or penstation.blogspot.com for your Penguins blogger needs.
Thanks for the wonderful support in the early going!
Thanks for the wonderful support in the early going!
Matt@Penstation
Be Heard in 2008
I know that this isn't a normal sports topic, but we'll jump on the ESPN bandwagon. This could very well be the most important election in United States history. For those of you that live in the US, it is very important to exercise your right to vote today. It is not a matter of who you are voting for and this is not the right forum for pitching political opinions, but it is the right forum to make sure everyone makes a decision for themselves and goes to their local voting center to see that their vote counts.
May the best candidate win. Good luck America.
MLS Penguins; More Blues Again Wednesday
For those that haven't heard, Miro Satan and Jordan Staal are soccer stars. The Penguins held a limited practice at Southpointe's Iceoplex this afternoon. Instead of lacing up on the familiar ice side of the rink, they kicked around a soccer ball on the turfed side. From the sounds of things, Miroslav Satan and Jordan Staal are quite the footballers.
While I think playing a variety of sports is always a good idea, I don't think putting your star player and injured captain in a soccer net is particularly smart. According to friends that were at the practice, Sid had a noticeable limp and probably should have omitted practice today. I didn't hear whether or not he was being an aggressive goaltender, but hopefully Staaly was scoring so many goals (5) because The Kid was standing still. Oh well, all is good.
Most of you already know that the Pens will be "unveiling" their 3rd jersey for this season. You also will 
players models Letang, Kennedy, Goligoski, Bissonnette and Godard. I am going to do what I can to be there for the event (taking pictures of course), but would love to know if some of you readers are going to make it out there. Toss me an email at Penstation.Blog@gmail.com and let me know who's going to be there.
Let's Go Pens!
Matt@Penstation
Monday, November 3, 2008
Ovechkin Back in US, but Semin the Star?
MVP Alex Ovechkin returned back to the US today after visiting with his grandfather in Russia. With 2g and 5a on the year, I am not exactly sure what makes him so special. Sure, he is a great player to have on your team, but all he can do is skate well, have a good head, pass well and put up 100 point seasons. Isn't Alexander Semin the real star?
Semin (24) was the Capitals first round selection in 2002 (13th overall). He is currently the 2nd leading 
Sorry Mr. Semin, but Sidney Crosby is the leader of the NHL's young talent. Whether or not he is the leagues best player and the new NHL's savior is yet to be determined. There is no doubt that players such as yourself, Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Corey Perry are all going to be great players. The NHL today has the best young group of stars that I have ever seen; frankly, I enjoy watching each player and will continue to do so. When the final whistle blows, Sid "The Kid" Crosby will still be the face of the NHL. He has an on-ice and off-ice presence that is matched by none. This Kid is making things possible and making dreams come true. I know that what you said came through an interpreter and was most likely a meaningless statement, but if you want to be a star, you need to know when to fill your mouth with your sushi and know when to talk. Because, after all, being a SUPERstar is more than grabbing points.
Matt@Penstation
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Brodeur Streak Ends at 51
In inner-division news, Martin Brodeur suffered what looked to be a left arm injury in last night's win against the Thrashers. Information 
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Penscap - Blues Medicated, Pens win 6-3
Look for Penscaps throughout the season. Penscaps will be a special edition recap that is updated throughout the game. Due to my inability to be at the tv for the full length of every broadcast, Penscaps won't be available for every game. Feel free to comment or email at Penstation.Blog@gmail.com
1st Period
The Pens came out looking much better than I had anticipated. Malkin and committee look like they have some of the fire back that makes them a championship contender. The Pens had quite a few chances on their first power play opportunity of the night, but couldn't put one home. Cooke and Orpik are looking like they are ready to make a physical statement in St. Louis and we'll be looking forward to them putting bodies on ice through the 2nd and 3rd.
Satan was reunited with Crosby and scored his 6th of the year. Unfortunately, the Penguins still enter the dressing room with a 2-1 disadvantage. It is good to see, however, that Therrien is giving Satan another shot up with The Kid. I had always thought that he separated the line prematurely, but only time will tell. Letang and Crosby had helpers on the goal.
My favorite part of the 1st period was the new-look Jordan Staal. Staal has a jump in his step that we haven't seen since the postseason; hopefully a trade rumor or two reminded Jordan that he has to work for his new contract. Staal is playing with Kennedy and Cooke which could turn into a very productive grinder line. The two high energy players on Staals wings will hopefully spark him towards his first goal of the season.
2nd Period
Uh oh, Letang.
Letang is continuing to play out of his mind defensively. His small stature means nothing since he throws his body like he's got Orpik's frame. With that said, it did appear that he suffered a hand injury on a big time slash in front of of the Pens net. Letang did return to the ice and appears to be his normal self. Hopefully the wrist will be fine.
Staaly had a 2v1 with Kennedy and chose to rip a big snap shot. It was great to see the big guy throw the puck at the net and we are hoping he continues to do so. The line is moving very well and we are looking for bigger things from our third line.
Goligoski tied the game at 2 as predicted, but in the 2nd period. He took a weak wrist shot but provided proof to the old adage that 100% of the shots you don't take, don't go in. I'm just glad he remembered how to shoot. Throw the puck on net and the Pens will generate goals and opportunities.
Tkachuk buried a puck that was disallowed due to a high sticking call next to The Flower's mask. Blues fans were disappointed, but we're certainly ok with it.
Oshie left for the Blues' locker room after Zigomanis' stick appeared to bend his knee on a faceoff. Injuries aren't fun for anyone, especially knees. We'll certainly hope for his return.
The Penguins continued to look dumbfounded on their 3rd power play of the game until Malkin put a sniper-shot between the eyes of the twine. 3-2 Pens.
Annnnnnnnd there's our grinder goal. Tyler "Teagues" Kennedy put his effort to work on Mason's pad and fought a puck into the net beside the post. 37 seconds between goals, 4-2 lead, St. Louis timeout. Welcome back Penguins.
3rd Period
The Pens power play unit looked fantastic, but again failed to take advantage of the extra man. Goligoski had a prime opportunity to bury the puck, but fanned on the pass from Malkin. If the Pens are going to continue using Malkin with a defensemen, they need to look at using Letang more. Goligoski was lined up stage-left where he has a tougher shot to take. Letang would have been on his off-side wing and would have had a much easier time burying that puck. With Sid playing the right-side wing, Letang would be perfect across from him and Gino up top.
On a side note, Steigerwald seemed to be confused as to why Staaly doesn't slip through defenders more often. As an example, he cited the "Big Guy" Mario's ability to do just that. Luckily for those of us watching at home, Errey politely let Steigy know that he was talking about Mario vs Jordan Staal. Thanks for reassuring us that they weren't on the same level............
The Penguins did get a brief power play opportunity, but didn't have much time since it followed a 4 on 4 session. I just wanted to point out that the Penguins did throw Letang out there with the top unit. Hopefully the boys on the bench realized that he would have the more natural shot with the power play line they put out there tonight.
Though the Guino's defensive effort remained solid, the Blues were able to make it a 4-3 game at about the 16 minute mark of the third.
Don't worry, though. Talbot picked a spot and made sure it connected to make it a 5-3 game. Less than a minute apart, "Handlebars" made sure the Pens would go home with more than a point.
The Blues pulled the tender with 2:30 left in order to make a last-minute effort. Jordan Staal played an excellent game and deserved EVERY OUNCE of the empty netter that Gino fed him. Congrats, Staaly. Glad you showed up, would you like to stay a while?
6-3 Pens and Elvis has just left the building.
Matt@Penstation
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