The IceBurgh

The waiting is the hardest part...

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 22:59:00 +0000

Like their Steeler's brethern the Penguins now have a season ticket waiting list.

From the Official SIte:

"Fans are now able to reserve a spot on the waiting list with a $200 deposit per seat, which can be applied to the purchase price whenever season tickets become available.Fans on the waiting list will also receive the following membership benefits:

Complimentary 2007-08 Pittsburgh Penguins Media Guide
Complimentary 2007-08 Pittsburgh Penguins Yearbook
Opportunity to Purchase Pittsburgh Penguins 6-Packs and 12-Packs Before the Public On-Sale Date
Opportunity to Purchase Single Game Tickets to Select Penguins Home Games Before the Public On-Sale Date
Opportunity to Purchase Select Non-Hockey Events Before the Public On-Sale Date Via E-Mail Notifications"

Is ESPN Killing the NHL in the US

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 22:49:00 +0000

Great article over at the Situationist postulating that ESPN's coverage or lack thereof and constant snarkyness toward the league are killing the NHL among casual sport fans in the US.

It really shows why Betteman's arrogance in not doing a deal with ESPN post lockout is really dragging down hockey.

Other than the obvious number of viewers that don't have Versus, the loss of the carry over exposure that the NHL doesn't get from the ESPN's other products and the negative coverage that they get when they are mentioned on their TV and radio shows have a cumulative effect on the casual hockey fan.

The die hards will always be there but if the casual fan thinks its uncool to watch hockey they are less likely to check out a game, follow the players or just care about the league in general.

Talbot and Christensen get 2 year deals...Thibault to Buffalo

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 14:04:00 +0000

TSN.ca has the details of the new contract for the penalty kill expert and the shoot out specialist respectively.

Penguins preparing to back up the truck for Croz

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 15:14:00 +0000

TSN.ca reports the Pens are in talks to extend Crosby's contract. Probably looking at a 4 to 5 year extension and from $7.5M to $10M a year.

It's good that they are getting this out of the way.

Pens sign FA Sydor and Sykora

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 14:26:00 +0000

Trib has details

Whitney gets 6 year deal, Sabo returns Thibault likely gone

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 03:02:00 +0000

Some big things happening on the Pens front today. Post Gazette has the report.

First Ryan Whitney signed a 6 year $24 million which is said to be backloaded. Dany Sabourin is back after spending the year in Vancouver after the Pens lost him on waivers last season. He got a two year deal worth $1.025M. His signing means that Thibault has likely given up his last soft goal as a Pen.

Sticking around

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 20:59:00 +0000

Ray Shero announced today the resigning of Gary Roberts and to the chagrine of many an internet forum whiner Mark Recchi.

Roberts was a pretty coveted free agent so keeping him on board is a bit of a coup, especially since it means he won't be taking his physicality to Ottawa.

MVP and ROTY to the PENS

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 01:45:00 +0000

Crosby brings home the Hart Trophy as league MVP and the Lester B Pearson as MVP voted by the players and Geno Malkin wins the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year (making it worth his while to sneak out of Russia last year). The details are Here .

In addition, it is being reported (or should I say rumored) that the Pens have fully sold out their full season tickets for the upcoming season. So things continue to look rosey.

Looking forward to '07-'08.

Congrats Ric Jackman and Sebastien Caron

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 02:50:00 +0000

I'll be honest I had no idea Caron was Giguere's backup until I saw him hoist the the cup.

The Ducks demolished the Senators in this series. I happen to be here in Canada for work and the country and national media were really pulling for the Sens.

It seems like a year since the Pens played. We'll see what they can do to take the next step in 2007-2008.

Crosby collects more hardware

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 00:24:00 +0000

Congrats to Croz who collected his Art Ross scoring trophy

Captain Crosby

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 31 May 2007 19:53:00 +0000

CROSBY BECOMES YOUNGEST CAPTAIN IN NHL HISTORY
by Joe Sager
pittsburghpenguins.com
05/31/2007

(PRESS RELEASE: Penguins name Crosby captain.)

Sidney Crosby is the new captain of the Penguins.
Pittsburgh Penguins
(RELATED STORY: Crosby feels time is right to be captain.)

Forget “Sid The Kid,” just call him “Captain Crosby.”

Already the youngest player in NHL history to reach 100 points in a season and win the scoring title, Sidney Crosby added another historic distinction to his list of accomplishments – youngest captain in NHL history.

Penguins Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero announced Crosby’s captaincy on Thursday. The 19-year-old star center was given his new jersey with the captain’s C stitched on the left shoulder by Mario Lemieux, the Penguins’ legendary star.

“I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank the coaching staff, Ray Shero, Mario Lemieux. It’s obviously a huge honor,” Crosby said. “It’s a privilege to be captain. It’s something I have always dreamed of and to get this opportunity is exciting for me. I understand that there is going to be a lot more responsibility on my shoulders with this, but it’s something I am ready for. It’s something that was brought up a little earlier last year, but I thought I needed the time to grow a little bit more. I think it’s time now. It couldn’t be in a better situation with the team we have with the mix of young guys and older guys. I feel very comfortable with it and I am just excited to get things going.”

Mario Lemieux presents Sidney Crosby with his new Penguins jersey.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Lemieux, who retired in January, 2006, was the last to wear a C on his Penguins sweater. The team went with four alternate captains in 2006-07 – Mark Recchi, Sergei Gonchar, John LeClair and Crosby.

Crosby, who resides with the Lemieux family during the season, was asked if he received any tips on handling the captaincy from his landlord.

“No. Maybe we’ll talk later,” he said with a smile. “We have a lot of veterans and even younger guys, when the time comes, who can speak their opinion. The fact is, moreso, this year than last year when I was a rookie, I feel more comfortable with my surroundings and with the situation. We have an amazing group. I don’t know what it would have been like on another team, but I can tell you the comfort level is there as far as this group is concerned.”

At 19 years, nine months (297 days), Crosby surpassed Tampa Bay’s Vincent Lecavalier, at 19 years, 10 months (324 days) when he was named Lightning captain in March, 2000, for the distinction of youngest captain in NHL history.

“I didn’t even think about it. It’s an accomplishment to be a captain, no matter how old you are,” Crosby said. “I was always told that age is just a number. I try to not let it get in the way of anything. In this case, it’s one of those things where I am the youngest, but it’s just an accomplishment.”

Worst...Playoffs...Ever

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 02:16:00 +0000

Crashing the Playoffs: Random Thoughts on Games 1 and 2 : Ottawa

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 15:17:00 +0000

I had forgotten how intense and exciting playoff hockey was. I had forgotten how much more physical the play on the ice becomes in the playoffs. And I had forgotten how crazy the fans are during playoffs in the NHL. Wednesday's game one was a rude re-introduction to both the Pens and their fans.

The young Pens were clearly unprepared for the din of 20,000 Canadians, all wearing red, screaming at the tops of their lungs. In retrospect they never had a chance in game one.

The playoffs really started yesterday in Game 2. And the Pens regained their footing, somewhat and held on to win 4-3 in Ottawa, stealing home ice from the Sens and putting the spotlight on the fans in Pittsburgh to match the intensity of their neighbors to the north.

Random thoughts:

- Jordan Staal, the 18 year old who half of the experts insisted should be sent back to juniors or it would hinder his development, already has two goals in the playoffs. And where would they be without his penalty killing skills. Geno Malkin gets all the national run, but Staal is as, if not more important to the Pens success this year.

- While I love the passion of Canadian fans. The whole "respectful booing" of Crosby everytime he touches the puck thing seems kinda silly to me. Boo Staal, he's got as many playoff goals against you as Crosby.

- With all the buildup, the "fight" between Colby Armstrong and Comrie at the start of the third had all the pop of one of those plastic champagne bottle confetti shooters they pass out at birthday partys. They took more time taking off their helmets and gloves than actually fighting. Still, props to Army for bringing the physical.

- Speaking of physical, suprised to see Laraque replaced by Petrovicky in the lineup. Another message delieverd via Thierrien Express

- While I look forward to watching the game tonight, I wish it were tomorrow. Be nice to have a day to let yesterday's game settle in. It's a pretty quick turnaround after such an intense, physical game; but the Pens youth and the home ice should give Pittsburgh the advantage .

OK Pittsburgh. Time to earn that "best fans in hocky" moniker that's painted beneath the ice.

Out Deviled

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 02:03:00 +0000

The Pens turned the tables on their nemisis from NJ and played 60 minutes of tough defensive hockey to shut out the Devils 3-0. All praise to Coach Therrien for the game plan and Thibault for playing tough in relief of MAF.

This was Pittsburgh first ever shut out of the Devs in NJ.

TSN report on the arena deal

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 14:46:00 +0000

Rendell 'confirms' arena deal

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 13:55:00 +0000

Post Gazette has quotes from Pa Gov Ed Rendell more or less confirming the arena deal is done. Crediting the casinos with helping keep the Pens in Pittsburgh.

It won't be official, official until Mario announces it, but its kinda official now.

Happy Day!!

Could this be it?!?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 03:38:00 +0000

At the risk on jinxing the who thing...I point you to Pittsburgh station KDKA

Highlights:

-KDKA sources confirm that the new arena deal is done.

- KDKA’s Bob Pompeani reports that the city, the state, and the Penguins have all come to an agreement over how to build and pay for a new arena.

-Pompeani reports that an official announcement is expected before tomorrow night's home game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Personally I won't believe it till I see Mario standing in front of a podium.

Update:

Post Gazette is reporting it as breaking news Here

George Laraque's first fight as a Penguin

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 21:32:00 +0000

Among the other milestones in yesterdays dramatic (do they play any other kind of game?) victory over the Rangers was this scrum between big George Laraque and the Ranger's Colton Orr.

"I can't believe what I just saw"

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 03:22:00 +0000

The Pens just got the most improbably win I"ve ever seen. Down 4-1 with less than 10 minutes to play with a pulled MAF, Pittsburgh rallied behind beleaguered backup Joceyln Thibault to win a shootout.

They weren't just down 4-1. They were getting completely outplayed. Taking stupid penalty after stupid penalty. Ryan Whitney didn't even look like he had menatally crossed the Canadian border.

With the third period slipping away and the Pens again on the penalty kill, the man, Jordan Staal (who else) gets a short handed goal and the comeback was on. goals by Roberts (great pickup Shero, everyone still upset about losing Noah Welch?!?) and Ryan Malone (everyone wanted him traded but he comes to play again) tie it up and Thibault makes some tough saves to take it to overtime. With neither team able to score in the overtime period and Thibault not Fluery at goal, the game was still up for grabs. But TBo stood strong against Heatly and Christensen (does he ever not score in a shootout?) scored to give the Pens a 1-0 shootout lead. Malkin failed to score on the Pens second shot but the Sens couldn't score either and it came down to the third shot. The Sens managed to get their third shootout shot past Thibault which left it up to Sidney to finish the comeback. As he cooly blistered in his shot I could only think one thing...Eat That Rendell.

Bad Times in Rendellphia

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 21:42:00 +0000

The Pens ownership has declared an impass in the seemingly never ending Pittsburgh arena talks and will "aggressively" pursue relocating. In other words they really, really mean it this time. As opposed to before, when they were just pretending to pursue relocation.

Here is an idea guys, stop jerking everyone around. Come up with a bottom line of what the state is going to contribute to an arena, what the ownership needs to contribute. Factor in the cost of building a fan base, concessions parking and pouring rights and all that other junk and make your decision already.

The sad thing is that they'll probably move and then an arena will get built by someone and they'll put an expansion team in Pittsburgh. While the real Penguins are winning Cups in KC.

I sense the fans have grown weary of this high stakes game of hockey team chicken being played out in the media.

Update: Onorato comments on the Penguins impasse claims Audio

Pens battle back to take down NY in Shootout

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 17:07:00 +0000

Things looked bleak for the Pens after the first 40 minutes of last nights game at Madison Square Garden. Coming off their 5th consecutive scoreless period and just giving up two questionable goals to go down 2-0, a reporter on the MSG network asked Mark Recchi what kind of 3rd period comeback team the Pens were this year. He gave the standard cliched responses, but his face didn't mirror the confidence of his words.

Come back they did, however. Therrien must have had one heck of an intermission speech. The Pens got shorties from Staal (his 6th of the season) and Army to tie it at 2-2, and later a powerplay goal by Gonchar to make it 3-3. Pittsburgh then held on in OT and finally Crosby scored the only goal in a 6 shot shoot out to give the Pens the win.

Washington did the Pens no favors, losing a shootout of their own to Tampa Bay moving the LIghtning to 4rth place in the East one point ahead of the Pittsburgh.

Ho, Ho..Doh

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 14:29:00 +0000

Well, Sidney Crosby gave Penguins fans a nice Christmas present, a tying goal with 15 seconds to play and an unexpected point in the standings. But the Atlanta Thrashers left coal in Joceyln Thibault's stocking in the shootout handing the Pens a 2-0 shootout loss as the Pens fell 4-3 in the final game before Christmas break.

Jordan Staal scored a key shorthanded (what else) goal and Ryan Malone chipped one in during the 3rd after the Pens went down 2-0 early.

Michel Thierrien keeps trying to give Thibault wins but he can't seem to take them, And lets be honest he looked like the duck in "Duck Hunt" during that shootout. Erik Christensen had a great chance to give the Pens the first goal in the shoot out but Atlanta goalie Kari Lehtonen made a key save just stretching his skate far enough to stop the puck.

The Pens have hit a rough patch lately but they're only a point out of the last playoff spot. And Crosby, Staal and Malkin (who had two hit off the post last night) give them a chance to win every night.

Mario Says He's Fooled Around Long Enough

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 18:44:00 +0000

In a carefully worded statement meant to, in my opinon, give him the maxium amount of leverage in negotiation with the state on a new arena, NHL Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux states that:
- He's no longer selling the team
- He's going to explore moving the team to another city
- He's going to talk to the politicians about plan B after he's no longer obligated to IOC.

From Dave Molari's article in Post Gazette

Statement from Mario:

"Recent developments, including yesterday's decision by the
[Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board], and the recent termination of
the purchase agreement by Jim Balsillie have convinced us that it is
time to take control of our own destiny. Accordingly, starting today,
the team is off the market, and we will begin to explore relocation
options in cities outside Pennsylvania," Lemieux said in a prepared
statement. "After seven years of trying to work out a new arena deal
exclusively in Pittsburgh, we need to take into consideration the
long-term viability of the team and begin discussions with other
cities that may be interested in NHL teams. As soon as we are no
longer restricted by our agreement with Isle of Capri from
negotiating an arena deal here, in the next few weeks, we will also
begin discussions with local leaders about a viable Pittsburgh arena
plan."

The IceBurgh Returns...PA Politicians Say No to Free Arena

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 20:10:00 +0000

After an extended hiatus, The IceBurgh returns on a day with big Pens news, unfortunately its bad news.

To the shock of no one the Isle of Capris didn't get the slots license. Somewhat suprising is that neither did the Harrah's Forest City group long considered a lock due to reported connections with Pa Governor Ed Rendell.

The PITG/North Side group headed by Detroit business man Don Barden won the bid.

The Post Gazette has the gory details.

Where does all this leave the Pens? Well with no public money available for an arena and the Balsille bid gone, Mario is left with a team with an expiring lease in a crappy old building.

And the press in Kansas City has wasted no time in trumpeting the improved prospects of the talented young Pens moving into their already built Sprint Center arena.

Will the politicians be able to come up w/ a plan b that is more viable than an offer from another city? And now there is talk that the Steelers and the Rooney's have some claim to the land that Barden wants to use on the North side and that may further confuse the issue.

'Ning 4 - Nils 3

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 03:18:00 +0000

The Pens coming off a long road trip, went down 2-0 before Nils Ekman scored a natural hat trick in the 2nd. Fluery kept them in it in the third until St Louis made an unbelievable play to to a streaking Lecavalier who back handed it past MAF for the win.

Mike T continues to juggle his lines looking for a good combination.

The Pens have now lost 3 straight although they've been in all three.