Pre-Game Notes (Pittsburgh VS Montreal)

RETURN OF GOLIGOSKI
the Penguins webpage recently reported that Alex Goligoski WILL return and be in tonight's lineup against the Canadiens (the Pens are almost back to 100%)!!

LINE COMBINATIONS (projected)
Talbot-Crosby-Guerin (although Rupp has spent some ice time here and it was also mentioned that Dupuis was seen on the line during morning skate as well)
Dupuis-Malkin-Fedotenko
Cooke-Staal-Kennedy
Rupp-Adams-Godard

Gonchar-Orpik
McKee-Letang
Eaton-Skoula

Fleury in net

Montreal Injury / Lineup Info:

• Brian Gionta (F), broken foot bone - out indefinitely
• Benoit Pouliot (F), wrist injury - indefinitely
• Andrei Markov (D), several damaged led tendons - out until at least February
• Paul Mara (D), upper body injury - left Monday night’s game and did not play on Tuesday night
• Jaroslav Spacek (D), right kneew - left the game Tuesday after stopping a shot

SORRY for the Inconsistency!

I'm usually better about blogging and getting updates of the latest Penguins news, but I've been having a few things go on lately that has kept me from doing so (running around like a mad-woman for one! I guess it's just that time of year!)!! Today I had to take my poor little doggie to the vet as we were afraid he was going to die, but he's a resilient little bugger and it was something that is treatable (THANK GOODNESS!)!!

Anyway, PRE-GAME NOTES coming shortly (like the next 5-10 minutes), so check back soon!!

TSCSF Q & A with Steve Mears

Steve Mears ("Mearsy") is quickly becoming another one of my favorite Penguins broadcasters / personalities. I've been enjoying his work on the Penguins new HD2 radio show as well as appearances he makes on shows like the Penguins pre-game show that I'm pretty sure will have a long career ahead of him with the organization - he's just a really great guy that has had an interesting career so far (and still stays pretty gounded).

For those of you who may not know, Steve Mears is a hometown guy who is incredibly knowledgeable about not only the Penguins, but all the NHL teams and hockey in general. Prior to returning to Pittsburgh to work with the Penguins this season, Mears was the play-by-play announcer for the NY Islanders since 2006. He was previously the voice for the CHL Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs for four seasons beginning in 2002 after graduating from Bowling Green where he was voice of the Falcons for three years prior to that.

His selection as the "CHL Broadcaster of the Year" in 2005 is one among many of his accomplishments.

I wanted to know a little bit more about him and his career prior to returning home to work with the Penguins, so I decided to ask if he'd mind answering a few questions for me [the blog]. He was nice enough to accept, so I'm posting his answers here to share with all of you. I'd like to thank Steve for his taking time out of his busy schedule to do me this great honor and answering my questions (big time for such a little blog!)!! THANK YOU, Steve!!

• TSCSF: How did the opportunity come about for you to work with the Penguins (was it originally the radio station?)? And who's idea was the radio station (was it something that you 'pitched' to the Penguins organization?)?
• Steve Mears (SM): I had heard of the HD Radio station idea at the annual NHL Broadcast meetings and thought it was an amazing idea. When the Islanders decided to cut costs and move their radio to a simulcast, I was looking for a new opportunity and the Penguins were the first team I wanted to talk to. The HD Radio station was really intriguing and I'm thankful that they wanted to bring me to Pittsburgh to be a part of it.


• TSCSF: You and Tom Grimm have great on-air chemistry [on the new Penguins HD2 radion station]! Did you and he know each other previously or is that something that develops as you work with him on the station?
• SM: No, we met only when we first started working for the Penguins. It's been a lot of fun working with him and the chemistry is always a work in progress. He works hard and does his homework and that always helps. He's a great partner to have for the show and brings a different perspective than I do, which is perfect.


• TSCSF: How do you prepare for the Live show (and is that something you do daily for each show?)?
• SM: I usually prepare the night before and "map out" which segments we're going to do and the order we'll do them in. Usually, if the Pens have a game, that dictates the direction of the show.


• TSCSF: I read you'll be the new host of "Inside Penguins Hockey," how did that come about and do you enjoy working that side of it (getting more one-on-one time with the players?)?
• SM: Once I started with the Penguins, they wanted to get me involved with a couple of TV shows they were producing. So far, it's been a blast and yes, having a more informal show with the players makes it great. It's not your usual "press conference" type setting, so we have a lot of fun with it.


• TSCSF: How does your current job with Pittsburgh differ, if at all, from the one you had with the Islanders?
• SM: Well with the Islanders, I was the play-by-play voice of the team, so that's a big change. But, following a team closely and working on a game-to-game basis is the same thing. Instead of broadcasting the games, I broadcast Penguins Live every morning.


• TSCSF: I just caught the first Dan Bylsma show (LOVE IT!) -- who came up with the ideas for the different segments?
• SM: I think our producer Chris Devivo had a lot to do with the format. What makes that show great is the fact that Dan is entertaining, informative, and willing to share so much with Penguins fans. I know I learned a lot after doing the first show!


• TSCSF: I know you can skate (I saw that on the DB show!), but did you ever play hockey (or any other sports)?
• SM: I played hockey as a kid in Murrysville and still play when I get the chance. I always liked baseball, but hockey was my favorite...either on the ice, driveway, roller rink, etc.


• TSCSF: Who was the most interesting player you've ever interviewed and why?
• SM: That's tough. I'd say Bryan Trottier because of his amazing career and outgoing personality.


• TSCSF: What sports personalities (players, announcers, others) are you fascinated by and why?
• SM: Any of the great play-by-play broadcasters are a joy to talk to. Me getting to work with Mike Lange with this job is like a young player coming to the Penguins and talking to Mario Lemieux about hockey.


• TSCSF: Who would you most like to interview and why?
• SM: I've actually never interviewed Mario before, so he would be the guy since he's always been my hockey idol.


• TSCSF: How much, if any, time do you spend with the players? Have you worked with any of them prior to working in Pittsburgh?
• SM: I was with Guerin and Fedotenko when I was with the Islanders. Both guys are great and Billy is truly one of my favorite people in hockey. We get to see them after practice and we chat with them in the locker room. Not much beyond that, but it's always fun to just talk with them and see what they're thinking.
  



• TSCSF: I read that you started watching hockey in the 90's (we have that in common), what exactly was it that drew you in that made you want to turn it into a career?
• SM: The hockey aspect was because the Penguins were so good right when I started following it (1991). The broadasting aspect was simply because of Mike Lange and because he was so good.


• TSCSF: What goals do you still have as far as broadcasting / your job is concerned (or have you achieved them / what are they?)?
• SM: My ultimate goal was just to broadcast games in the NHL and I'm really fortunate that I had the chance to do that when I was 26. Now, I'm just enjoying being a Penguin, being back home, and doing some different things outside of play-by-play, which I did for 10 years at various levels. Between the TV shows and Penguins Live, I've been really busy and I'm having a lot of fun. And the Penguin fans that I've met have treated me incredibly well. Not that I'm surprised! :)


• TSCSF: I know the Islanders are pretty liberal with media, etc., and heard about their "bloggers box" for bloggers to sit at during games. Are you familiar with how that worked (was it a good thing for the organization?) and do you see something like that working with the Penguins?
• SM: As far as the Blog Box, it was an interesting idea and definitely some "outside the box" thinking by the Islanders. I know they encountered some obstacles, so I don't think other teams should do it exactly the way they did it. But some variation could definitely be successful.

Big Bad Billy G. Enjoys a Good Tea Party (So What?!)!!

Yesterday, the Penguins made their annual holiday visit to Pittsburgh Children's Hospital bringing cheer to the youngsters who will not get to celebrate the holidays at home.

My favorite ... Eric Godard and Bill Guerin having a tea party with princess tiaras, Godard chomping on a pink ice cream cone and all!!! So rough and tough, but look at them with that little girl!!! AWESOME (who's really going to cut on these guys for that?!!)!!!

“Tis the season so we are in the Christmas spirit here,” Sidney Crosby said. “I am sure all of the kids here are thinking about Christmas so we are bringing our Christmas cheer.”

READ ARTICLE HERE ...
And MORE PHOTOS (click here!)!!

Letestu Re-Assigned

The Penguins announced earlier this afternoon that they re-assigned Mark Letestu back to their AHL affiliate in WB / S.

He was actually scratched from last night's game which made me think for a split second that Kunitz would be playing (even though it was his first time back on the ice yesterday), but that wasn't the case. But it probably means that it won't be long especially with Letestu re-assigned.

[UPDATE 2] Pre-Game Notes (Pittsburgh VS Carolina) - He's "IN!"

[UPDATE #2]
Crosby confirmed that he'll be in tonight's lineup against the Hurricanes (my boy doesn't let me down - I told you!)!! : )

"I'm in," Crosby said. "I've had a good couple days of rest and got it worked on. There's no more pain. That's all I really wanted to get rid of. I can deal with it right now."

[UPDATE] NO WORD YET ON CROSBY (will keep you posted; until I leave for the game, that is!)
Sid participated in the morning skate (along with Kunitz and Goligoski which was their first practice since their lower-body injuries); Sid's status for tonight's game is still unknown, but I'm thinking this is a pretty good sign that he will be in the lineup (perhaps it's my wishful thinking since I'll be at the game tonight, but there is a rational part of my brain thinking he'll be playing); Kunitz and Goligoski will not likely return to the lineup so soon as this was their first time back on the ice and would need more time to acclimate themselves after rehab'ing injuries

LINE COMBINATION (projected)
Talbot-Malkin-Guerin
Dupuis-Letestu-Fedotenko
Cooke-Staal-Kennedy
Rupp-Adams-Godard

Gonchar-Orpik
McKee-Letang
Eaton-Skoula

Fleury in net

Carolina Injury / Lineup Info

• Jussi Jokinen (F), lower body injury - day-to-day (practiced 12/06); game-time decision
• Cam Ward (G), leg laceration - day-to-day (practiced 12/06)
• Joe Corvo (D), leg laceration - out 8-12 weeks
• Michael Ryan (F), probable concussion - IR (practicing with Albany)
• Niclas Wallin (D) - did not practice on 12/6 and is questionable for 12/7 at Pittsburgh

UP NEXT: CAROLINA HURRICANES
(6-17-5, 17 points)
In net tonight: Manny Lagace (projected)
Storyline: Will Crosby return to the lineup tonight and can the Pens capitalize on the Canes 13 consecutive road-game losing streak regardless?

Carolina Hurricanes webpage
PREVIEW (12/07/2009)
Lineups & Notes - PDF (12/07/2009)
Hurricanes Recall Jay Harrison from Albany; Defenseman Bryan Rodney reassigned to AHL’s River Rats (12/06/2009)

Charlotte Observer
Canes renew search to cure 0-10-3 road record (12/07/2009)
Canes Now blog
Monday debate: backing up Ward (12/07/2009)
Canes to stick to plan on Ward return (12/06/2009)
Canes call up Harrison, reassign Rodney (12/06/2009)

Check back for updates throughout the day!!

Pens
(20-9-1, 41 points)

Pens - 1, Blackhawks - 2 (OT)

Chicago Blackhawks webpage
RECAP (12/05/2009)

Chicago Tribune
Chicago Blackhawks beat Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 in OT (12/06/2009)

Chicago Daily Herald
Niemi lifts Hawks, makes case for more playing time (12/05/2009)

Blackhawks Confidential blog
Niemi brilliant as Hawks beat Pens 2-1 in OT (12/05/2009)

Meet Penguins Players at Tom Clark Chevrolet

MONDAY, DECEMBER 14TH
6 PM - 8 PM

Meet Pascal Dupuis, Kris Letang, Brooks Orpik and former Penguin Phil Bourque

at Tom Clark Chevrolet!!

FREE autographs, raffles and memorabilia for sale. Proceeds benefiting the Tommy Wilson Foundation for Exceptional Children.

Tom Clark Chevrolet
1063 Long Run Road, Route 48
McKeesport, PA
412-751-2900

Bourque Re-Claimed by Washington

The Penguins placed Chris Bourque on waivers and he has been [re] claimed by Washington who have assigned him to their AHL affiliate the Hershey Bears.

[UPDATE] Pre-Game Notes (Pittsburgh VS Chicago) - LINES

LINES (confirmed)
FORWARDS
Talbot - Malkin - Guerin
Fedotenko - Staal - Dupuis
Cooke - Letestu - Kennedy
Rupp - Adams - Godard

CROSBY OUT
Sid is suffering from a groin injury which had him leave the morning skate early and is keeping him out of the lineup tonight

"My groin is bothering me a bit," Crosby said. "I won't be playing tonight. It's something that's been bothering me for three or four days and I'm going to sit this one out."When it's getting worse each day, it's not a good sign. I've missed periods of time over the last few years with groin (injuries) and I kind of know when it's time to take a step back and make sure that I'm careful. I feel like I'm at that point."

"I have hurt my groin before where I’ve felt like it was going to be a couple weeks," he said. "I feel like this is going to be day-to-day if I handle it right and I heal the way that I hope to. That is basically it. You take it day-by-day and hope it feels better."

AHL CALL-UP / BOURQUE ON WAIVERS back to Capitals
Letestu was recalled from the WB / S Baby Pens today; the Penguins placed Chris Bourque on waivers and was recently [re]claimed by the Washington Capitals (to play for the Hershey Bears)

COOKE RETURNS
Tonight will be the first game with Cooke back in the lineup after serving his two-game suspension for the hit on NY Ranger Artem Anisimov.

LINE COMBINATIONS (projected)
Talbot-TBA-Guerin
Dupuis-Malkin-Fedotenko
Cooke-Staal-Kennedy
Rupp-Adams-Godard

Gonchar-Orpik
McKee-Letang
Eaton-Skoula

Fleury in goal

Chicago Injury / Line Info

• Adam Burish (F), torn ACL in right knee -- sidelined up to six months
• Dave Bolland (F), back surgery to repair herniated disc -- out three-to-four months

Pre-Game Notes (Pittsburgh VS Colorado)

PRACTICE
The Penguins had Monday off and returned to practice yesterday at the Iceoplex at Southpointe and the crowd that showed up was entertained by Bill Guerin who found a microphone and began to "emceeing" the practice and the webpage took note of some of his more memorable lines:

"Eric Godard, a seven-time all-star"
"Martin Skoula slows it down"
"Max Talbot...you all know what he can do"
"Here comes Jay 'Cheese' McKee"

I would've loved to been there to enjoy that!! One of the things that makes the Penguins so likeable as a team is their sense of humor and the way they are interact / feed off of one another.

LINE COMBINATIONS (projected)
Talbot-Crosby-Guerin
Dupuis-Malkin-Fedotenko
Rupp-Staal-Kennedy
Bourque-Adams-Godard

Gonchar-Orpik
McKee-Letang
Eaton-Skoula

Fleury in goal

Colorado Injury / Line Info

• Craig Anderson (G) is doubtful for tonight's game (injured during last night's game)
• Milan Hejduck (F), knee injury - doubtful; he's been day-to-day and was not in the lineup last night
• Kyle Cumiskey (D), foot - has missed five games in a row
• David Jones (F), torn ACL - IR
• Ruslan Salei (D), back - IR

That's So MAF (the musings of a Penguins Goalie)!

Fleury has made the cover of the latest Pittsburgh Magazine (I picked mine up last night at the local Wal-Mart).

Paul Alexander interviews him for the magazine and gives us insight into "the man behind the mask" and talks about winning the Stanley Cup, his day with the illustrious trophy and the possibility of winning it again.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE.
(or HERE to purchase the current issue)

UP NEXT: COLORADO AVALANCHE
(15-8-6, 36 points)
In net tonight: Peter Budaj (projected)
Storyline: Will the Pens make it three wins against Colorado? Assistant coach Tony Granato will face former team in Pittsburgh

Colorado Avalanche webpage
PREVIEW (12/03/2009)

Check back for updates throughout the day!!

Player Media Appearances

• Pascal Dupuis is scheduled to on ESPN Radio 1250 today at 3:25 PM


• Jordan Staal will be on Mark Madden's radio show on 105.9 The X at 4:00 PM

RANT: Blowing Off Some Blogger Steam (the "Big Blogger Syndrome")

You know what I'm tired of? The "big guys" getting ideas and post material from us "little guys" and getting more exposure (and the "kudos" for being such a great blog / blogger) because everyone thought it was the "big guys" who found it when it was the "little guy" [ME] with my hard-pressed time who searched and researched for the LATEST and GREATEST Penguins information out there (I pride myself on it) -- and when someone else does find it, I always credit them.

So it's a little hard to stay positive and create a "family" atmosphere with fellow bloggers (Pens, hockey, WHATEVER) when the "big guys" have a bigger platform and in some cases GET PAID to get the information out which leaves us "little guys" without a fighting chance to make anything out of our own blogs even though we spend the most time trying to make it informative and something unique on the internet.

Now I realize my blog is not the best, but BY DAMN I spend day-in and day-out on it to make it what it is and I struggle for / to keep the readers I do have. I don't have tons of money laying around to pour into it or any more free time to learn the latest tips and techniques for promoting it and making it the top result on every single search engine imagineable (I spend what little time I do have searching for Pens info which is the entire basis for it's existence in the first place!). But it is something that I am very proud of and would like the chance for it to get out there for more fans to see (a little exposure - is that too much to ask for?!).

I'm afraid with the "big guys" always taking credit for information and finds that they spend two minutes browsing on the "little guys" blogs for (which they are fully aware are just as good as theirs and the reason they continue to go to it to "pirate" information / material) this will all continue to be a vicious cycle and no one is ever going to be the wiser seeing as how there's no way to successfully promote the "mom-n-pop" blogger (sort of like Wal-Mart and the "Mom-n-Pop" stores -- now I understand why my dad has such a big problem with that damn store!)!!!

But I digress ...

Granted, no one owns information and such, but I think my time and effort are worth something and it's a shame for it to get exploited without any benefit to me (or the blog!)!! GIVE ME SOME CREDIT, DAMN IT -- THAT'S ALL I ASK!!!!! No one wants to share readers / followers / visitors, but they have no problem taking the information on my blog -- THAT'S WHAT PISSES ME OFF!!! I'm a good enough source for information, but not good enough to share the benefit of readers (when, if they were smart enough, they should realize that readers make up their own minds and go to different blogs / sources for different reasons anyway -- if you're good - whether you're paid or not - they'll keep coming back!)!!!

It's been a tireless fight of mine and something that is quite frustrating to me (it has been since DAY 1!) and is the reason why I try to be diligent in crediting sources and mark some pictures even though they're not "mine"!! And I must force myself to realize that nothing will come of it and it will forever be a dynamic in the blogosphere (I'm calling it "the big blogger syndrome" - should I copyright that???!!!!!). I remind myself daily that I must find joy in the fact that I have this blog and to be happy for the small benefits I do get from it (the little recognitions are just as rewarding as anything else!).

And THAT'S what I'm a little tired of. If I can't do anything to make it a fair fight then BY GOD, I'll rant about it and use my blog for the platform (aren't you lucky?!)!!

[END RANT]

NHL Updates: Ovechkin and Vokoun

Tomas Vokoun actually rejoined his teammates on the flight back home to Ft. Lauderdale. He got his left ear laceration stitched and, fortunately, there was no concussion or inner-ear damage. According to the Panthers coach, Peter DeBoer, they will be making some arrangements for a back-up for Clemmensen until Vokoun returns, but it won't be any significant time.

"As soon as we can rig something up that he can get his helmet around that ear so he can play, he'll be ready," Panthers coach Peter DeBoer said on Tuesday's conference call. "It's not going to be long term."

Keith Ballard will not be facing suspension.

"It's a non-factor," DeBoer said. "This guy was visibly shaken and upset by the incident in the game. When we found out that Tomas was going to be fine I think he gutted it out and played the rest of the night for us. Tomas got on the plane and they had a chance to chat and sit together and there were no hard feelings.

Ovechkin, on the other hand, should and will face disciplinary action for his knee-on-knee hit on Carolina's Tim Gleason. The NHL has suspended him for two games, but the frustrating part of it is that he's out of the lineup for that amount of time anyway to recover from the injury he sustained from the hit. He reported that his knee is sore and is not serious and was back on the ice yesterday in a red, "no contact" uniform. This is his first suspension of his NHL career and hopefully not his last if he continues this behavior on the ice. Although, his coach may have learned a lesson for him seeing as how he seems to have had a "change of heart" with letting Ovechkin continue this type of play.

Coach Bruce Boudreau isn't so sure anymore. After two years of essentially letting Ovechkin be Ovechkin, Boudreau said it might be time for a heart-to-heart talk.

"He's pretty reckless," he said. "It's hard telling a guy that scores 60 goals a year to change the way he plays. At the same time, I don't want to see him getting hurt. Maybe he has to pick his spots a little better. The open-ice hits, you just look around the league. It's not only the hitter, it's the guy that gets hit. ... It's something that will have to be addressed by us, I guess. ... Not only as a coach, but as somebody who admires him, I just don't want him to put himself in harm's way, so we'll see."

Well it's about damn time Boudreau!! We'll just see who has the last say though.

Inside Penguins Hockey

I've missed both episodes of IPH, but luckily the Penguins webpage already has them posted on PensTV (so if you've missed them too or if you want to watch them again, be sure to visit PensTV with the links below!)!!

The shows will be hosted by Steve Mears this season and will include 20 episodes (14 of which will be at the studio with a live audience)

EPISODE 1
(Chris Bourque & Alex Goligoski)

EPISODE 2
(Mike Rupp & Jay McKee)

Check This Out -- City of Champions Cereal!!

Max Talbot - HILARIOUS as ever and Hines - always smiling!! THANKS to my buddy (and fellow Pens NUT) Lianna for the find!!! From PLBSports.com - "Your Premiere Source for Athlete-Endorsed Quality Food Products" (on YouTube).

"City of Champions Cereal ... VERY FILLING ... TASTES GREAT!!! "

Also check out "Behind the Scenes" and "Commercial Outtakes" (links provided)!! FUNNY STUFF!!

Will Ovi Learn His Lesson?

Last night during the Penguins-Rangers rematch, Tweets began popping up about Ovechkin being injured by a knee-on-knee hit with Cane's D-man Tim Gleason. My immediate thought was, shamefully, "good for him; maybe he'll learn now" and the response wasn't much different for John when I told him about it.

Ovechkin received a major penalty for kneeing AND a game misconduct (his SECOND in THREE GAMES!). But that's not warranted, is it Coach Boudreau?!

As always, Boudreau removed his lips from Ovi's ass long enough to report that he felt it "did not warrant an ejection."

"It looked like he leaned with his shoulder to me," Boudreau said. "He tried to hit him, Gleason put a good move to the inside and his leg followed through with him."

WHATEVER!! It's not like we haven't seen this kind of thing before -- Ovechkin charging someone KNEE-ON-KNEE (reminder: his hit on Gonchar during last year's playoff run!). The only difference now is the fact that it looks like the officials / league aren't going to put up with Ovi's BS anymore. So what else is Boudreau going to say, I suppose?!

In another bizarre incident last night, Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun had to be rushed to the hospital last night during the first period of the Panthers/Thrashers game after HIS OWN TEAMMATE (Keith Ballard) literally whaled him in the head with his stick. In his defense, the defenseman was trying to take out his frustrations after Ilya Kovalchuk scored to give the Thrashers a lead of the game and instead of hitting the goal post as planned, he missed and hit Vokoun. The goalie was on the ice for 10 minutes before he was replaced by their back-up goalie, Scott Clemmensen.

Vokoun had an ear laceration and was alert when taken by ambulance to a local hospital, a Panthers spokesman said. Ballard declined to speak with the media.

''He's probably pretty bummed. Nobody feels worse than Keith,'' Florida GM Randy Sexton said. ''There was no internal ear damage, just a laceration. They stitched him up, took a CAT scan and there's no additional injuries.''

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO