If I blog, can we please win??

What is happening? Since when are we a team that loses three consecutive games? For the last few games, we've been one point away from clinching a playoff spot. I know we'll get there, but I'm growing impatient and after each agonizing loss (and as Boston increases their lead), I find myself feeling like this:

I understand that we're ridden with injuries, moreso than any other NHL team, but I'm starting to have little confidence when the majority of our players are on the ice. I keep hoping they'll prove me wrong, but it hasn't been happening. I'm not quite sure how we went into last night with the top powerplay in the league (I'm assuming that spot is gone due to last night's performance), but we don't look like a team who could make it through round 1.

I think back to this time last year. We didn't lose a single game in March, and now it seems we lose more than we win.

I haven't had time (nor do I have time right now) to post on here but I'm looking for anything that can turn this ship around.

Stadium Series bust.

A rare shoot out loss, and then a schooling by the Blachawks? What's happening? Last year the Pens didn't lose a game during the month of March. Things need to change.

With that said, let's go back to Saturday's Stadium Series in Chicago.

First, we watched the game with my husband's family. I've obviously trained my nephew well, as he brought down from his room basically everything he had in support of the Penguins. He made Pillow Pens, sported hats and shirts, and of course a game isn't complete without not one, but TWO sock monkeys. The boy was more enthused than I was, if that's even possible. In general, his hockey knowledge (for being ten) is outstanding and when play trivia during dinner he knows all the names, numbers, and teams. Obviously all crucial information. It's adorable.

 

 

And speaking of adorable... THIS.

 

James Neal, who happened to be the only Pens goal-scorer, seriously couldn't be cuter here. And everywhere.

Crazy conditions for this game. I can't imagine the puck traveling well in that snow, judging by how often they cleared the ice. I guess that's better than the last Pens outdoor game which was delayed due to it being so warm out.

I'm curious about the possible Ryan Kesler trade.  I don't want to see Brandon Sutter go. I think he's good for the Pens- both on and off the ice. But I'm willing to enterain any changes that might make for a better team. ANYTHING to avoid a repeat of last year.

Criticism, Canada!, and the return of NHL hockey.

It was like a horrible repeat of the Boston/Penguins series. Rask in net. Unstoppable. Bylsma's team defeated. But this time it was the United States and not Pittsburgh, and this time a country's and not a city blaming Dan. I'm certainly disappointed that the USA didn't earn the gold, but I'm reluctant to toss blame toward the coaching staff alone. Should Kane have been the penalty shot pick? Probably not. Were there changes that could/should have been made during the last two games? Sure. But could it be that the teams who medaled were just better? I thought so when I saw the rosters, at least for Canada. It's obvious that I have a soft spot in my heart for my coach. He's a likable guy and easy on the eyes. But I can be unbiased enough to assess that one man is not the reason that the Unites States finished fourth. I'm seeing a boat load of articles criticizing Byslma. I've also seen Twitter and Facebook comments saying that "Martin and Orpik are disgraces to their country." Hello! Martin was scratched for the two final games with a hand injury.

Oddly, I'm not seeing criticism for Zach Parise, Captain America. He was supposed to lead the team, no? (disclaimer: I'm not bashing Parise. I will miss watching/rooting for him. I will most of all miss his har.) ANYWAY, while the USA was defeated, I was a little happy That my Pens Jussi and Olli scored. I wonder how Bylsma felt- there has to be a little bit of "Hey, they're my guys!" (hidden behind a few curses of course).

And then there was yesterday's game. After the Unites States lost, I could unapologetically turn my attention to our neighbors to the north in the gold medal game. I promise you I didn't want it to turn out this way- I would have been just as content watching Canada duke it out for bronze. But man did I enjoy watching that game and rooting for my guys. And after all the criticism about Crosby and Kunitz ("Crosby hasn't scored yet; Kunitz shouldn't even be there), I pretty much screamed and did a little dance when each of them had their goals yesterday. I felt proud to be Canadian have once gone to Canada. I was overjoyed for Sid. This picture makes me so happy that I can (almost) ignore that PK Subban is in it.

 

So now tha the Olympics are over, we can go back to our regularly scheduled hatred of NHL players who are not on our respective teams. Give me back my Russians, Fins, and Canadas. It's time to win a cup.

Oh, Canada!

I will preface this all by saying: I wanted USA to win the gold. Really, I did. Promise. I'm American, afterall. My motto was "Coach and Country above Captain." I did, however, want it to be reeeaaaallly close and for Crosby (or Kunitz) to score. So I was disappointed with the loss to the Canadians. (Really, I was).  I'm very much hoping that Disco Dan and Captain America go home with the bronze. I want to see this guy smile.

However. I now can root for my number two team unapologetically. TeamCrosby. I want this again:

Sure, he hasn't scored yet in the Olympics. But that's what Sunday is for. At 7am. With a lot of coffee.

Holy Hockey Weekend!

#SochiOshie. #OshieFever. These were just some of the hastags that took over Twitter Saturday morning. And I drank the Kool-Aid. Here's a kid I'd barely heard of giving one of the most remarkable shoot out performances I've seen. I watched it live in, oddly enough, my chiropractor's office. Thank goodness for technology, as a young boy sitting next to me and I watched simultaneously on our iphones, giving the office updates with every shot. The rules for the shoot out are so different than the NHL- I didn't know that until I saw Oshie back again. And again. And again. It was such an amazing moment in hockey history.

I bet A LOT more people woke up to watch the USA yesterday because of what they saw happen on Saturday. Maybe these types of moments will show others what I've been preaching for years: hockey is awesome in the truest sense of the word.

Olympic hockey has begun!

Thank you snow Gods for giving my job a reason to close yesterday. Snow day = hockey day! I'd also like to give special thanks to Keurig and my comfy couch for adding to this already wonderful event.
I was NOT up at 3am, but I was happy to hear that Maatta and Jokinen rocked it (like I knew they would). I was up in plenty of time (like a girl on Christmas morning) to watch Disco Dan lead Team USA to a beyond impressive first win. I was so proud to be an American.
And then at noon my Canadian alter-ego kicked in. And while that battle was a little bit tighter, it was nice to end the afternoon with ALL of my Pens players coming away from game 1 with wins.  I know that won't always be the case. I'm hoping that it doesn't come down to USA/Canada in the end because my heart will be torn between my coach/country and my captain, however if you show me more clips of Zach Parise and his messy hair I could certainly be swayed.

Tanger

Letang. Tiny hole in heart has led to a massive hole in my heart. A STROKE. Only 26. Holy Hell. Wishing you the best, Kris.