The following Sidney Crosby News stories are from the archives.
Pittsburgh Penguins Almost Go Down After
Their Commanding 5-0 Lead Was Slashed To 5-4 by the Edmonton Oilers
Thursday November 6, 2008
Just think by late in the second period Pittsburgh
looked like it would get an easy win against Edmonton. After all, by
roughly mid second period Max Talbot scored a goal, and Miroslav Satan
and Petr Sykor (both former Oilers) each scored a pair of goals for
Pittsburgh. This gave the Penguins a sweet 5-0 lead in what looked like
a victory in the making.
However by late in the second period Fernando Pisani, assisted by Steve
Staios and Ethan Moreau, picked up the first goal for the Edmonton Oilers.
Believe it or not in the first half of the third period Edmonton’s
Tom Gilbert, Ales Hemsky, and Sheldon Souray each scored a goal in a
six minute time span. As it turns out this put the Oiler’s only
one goal behind Pittsburgh. As you probably know, the Penguins have
already blown leads late in the game and lost several times this season
because of getting too comfortable and slacking off. Luckily, they were
able to hold on and win this one 5-4.
Come on Pittsburgh this is the NHL, you have to play hard every minute
of the game. Are the Penguins ever going to learn that? The good news
is the Penguins are finally starting to take shots on goal with a respectable
34 this game.
In any case, Sidney Crosby was credited with an assist during the first
period on Max Talbot’s goal. Now tell me, did Sidney Crosby shoot
to score or shoot to purposely bounce the puck off of Oiler goalie Mathieu
Garon’s pad to set up Max Talbot? Jodie over at The Sidney Crosby
Show does a great job of describing what happened in her recap
of the game (Jodie’s game recaps are highly recommended).
Here is what she had to say…
"Jordan Staal made a key save just as Kris Letang was called for
slashing. Remember, the PENGUINS were shorthanded as Siddo stole the
puck and went 2-on-1 with Mad Max. Sid shot the puck, Garon made a pad
save, and the rebound went right to Mad Max, who promptly scored the
shorthanded goal. [Pens 2, Oilers 0] Upon watching the replay, Bob Errey
seemed convinced that Sid purposely aimed for Garon's pad hoping for
it to do exactly what it did. What a player!"
You’re going to love this, Evgeni Malkin assisted on all three
of the Penguins’ second period goals for a total of 17 assists
this season. It gets even better, combined with his 4 goals, Malkin
now leads the NHL in points, two better than big mouth Alexander Semin
who was trash talking Sidney Crosby earlier this week. Plus, Malkin
also leads in assists so far. Likewise, Evgeni Malkin’s point
streak is now at 9 games in row.
Oh yeah, one more thing, the video below describes what Alexander Semin
said about Sidney Crosby. Crosby responded with class and chose to downplay
it all. Sidney said he will keep his comments about Semin to himself.
Personally I think Semin is a talented player as his point count so
far shows but he sounded a little stupid saying you can make any dead
wood player who scores 100 points a star. Truth is a dead wood player
would not come close to 100 points. Quite simply, let’s see if
Semin can match Crosby’s point count when this season comes to
an end.
Sidney Crosby Named First Star as Penguins
Snap Three Game Losing Streak Beating The St. Louis Blues 6-3
Saturday November 1, 2008
If Sidney Crosby is injured he sure didn't
play like it, as Pittsburgh’s talented offense finally woke up
to win a game. It’s quite obvious that Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin,
and Miroslav Satan are the top forwards on Pittsburgh. As a matter of
fact, they seem to be racking up about 60 to 70% of the points earned
by players on their team. These three players were also named stars
of the game as Pittsburgh defeated the Blues 6-3. Sidney Crosby was
the first star, Miroslav Satan the second, and Evgeni Malkin third.
Crosby played extremely well despite reports of an undisclosed injury
and the intensity shown by his line up set the tone for the rest of
the team.
Penguins coach Michel Therrien was impressed with Sidney Crosby’s
play stating, "I thought Crosby’s line really set the tone."
By the end of the hockey game thirteen Penguins picked up points.
Evgeni Malkin had a goal and an assist, extending his game point streak
to 8. Miroslav Satan had two assists, a goal (during the first period
assisted by Crosby and Letang), and is currently Pittsburgh leading
goal scorer with a total of six this season.
Alex Goligoski scored the first of three goals Pittsburgh picked up
during the second period alone, tying the game 2-2. Goligoski was assisted
by Satan and Sydor (Sydor’s first assist of the season). Malkin
got the second goal of the second period assisted by Petr Sykora and
Sidney Crosby, followed by Tyler Kennedy’s goal assisted by Matt
Cooke and Hal Gill.
Mad Max Talbot finally picked up his second point this season during
the third period (note: check out the video at the end of this post
featuring “superstar” Max). Jordan Staal also had a goal
at the end of the third period, it was on an empty net for his first
goal of the season.
No question that Pittsburgh is talented; it’s just a matter of
them staying focused during entire games and tapping into their potential.
They have done just that during this game and if they keep it up their
slump may just be over.
Sidney Crosby's injury was not disclosed but there was mention of a
possible rib injury. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette said it was a hip injury.
Whatever the injury is, it didn't stop Sidney Crosby from a spectacular
performance against the St. Louis Blues.
Sidney Crosby Injured During Pittsburgh
Penguins 4-1 Loss to the Phoenix Coyotes
Thursday October 30, 2008
The Pittsburgh Penguins lost Sidney Crosby
to an undisclosed injury during the last five minutes of the second
period during a game against Wayne Gretzky’s Phoenix Coyotes.
This is bad news for Penguins fans since Pittsburgh’s offense
has been sluggish losing their last three games in a row.
With one of their star players out things
can get ugly in the near future for Pittsburgh. The Penguins' goal tenders,
Marc Andre Fleury and Dany Sabourin, have played great and deserve much
credit but if the rest of the team doesn’t step up they may start
to burn out. The first thing Pittsburgh’s forwards might want
to try doing is to shoot the puck. So far there is no word on how long
Crosby will be out, nor what type of injury he suffered (the rumor so
far is it could be a rib injury).
During the first period against the Coyotes, the Penguins only registered
two shots on net!
During the second period Olli Jokinen got the first goal of the game
for Phoenix. Miroslav Satan tied the game in the second period when
he got the lone goal for the Penguins. Malkin fired off a shot that
hit the glass behind the Coyotes net and bounced in front of the net
where Satan put the puck past goalie Ilya Bryzgalov for a power play
goal. Then Sean Doan broke the tie with two minutes left in the second
giving the Coyotes the lead.
During the third period Phoenix scored two more times to win the game,
final score 4-1.
Crosby’s game point streak came to end tonight at 6 games. Evgeni
Malkin was credited with an assist on Miroslav Satan’s goal. This
extends Malkin’s game point streak to 7 games.
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin Neutralized
by Sharks as Frustrated Penguins Hit Franchise Record Low Shots on Net
Tuesday October 28, 2008
Offensively the Penguins did horrible against
the Sharks, only getting 11 shots on goal, losing 2-1. Going up against
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the Sharks top forwards, Joe Thornton
and Patrick Marleau, played physical, offensive and defensive at the
same time. This strategy effectively let the Sharks neutralize two of
the leagues deadliest young forwards in Malkin and Crosby.
Even worse Sidney Crosby won only 4 of 20
faceoffs. By the end of the game Sidney Crosby had zero shots on net
and Evgeni Malkin only two. Most disgusting of all, the Penguins tied
their franchise record for the fourth time in history for the lowest
number of shots on net during a game.
The rest of the Penguins need to step up and produce or else all any
team will need to do to be successful is neutralize Crosby and Malkin
and fire lots of shots at Marc Andre Fleury and Dany Sabourin. These
fabulous goaltenders are tough to beat but eventually a puck or two
will get by. Of course there are injured players missing from the team
which may be playing a role in the Pens poor performance but this is
when the others need to step up.
The lone goal for Pittsburgh came just over five minutes before the
end of the game with Ruslan Fedotenko getting a goal assisted by Sidney
Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. This extends Crosby and Malkin’s game
point streaks to 6 games.
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin Extend
Point Streaks to 5 Games Each But Penguins Collapse "Again"
In Third Period as Rangers Win In Shootout
Saturday October 25, 2008
After a slow start this season Sidney Crosby
picked up the pace in the last five games by scoring 3 goals (one of
them tonight assisted by Malkin) and notching 7 assists but his team
still choked during the third period against the New York Rangers. In
fact, the Penguins obviously got a little too comfortable with their
2-0 lead in the third period. Heck, the Rangers out shot the Penguins
18-2. Believe me, Marc Andre Fleury put up a spectacular performance,
with very little help from the rest of the Penguins, but he wasn’t
able to stop 2 of the 18 shots.
In any case, the Penguins utilized their
undeniable talent to play a fabulous game for the first two periods
but their third period performance was worthy of a kick in the butt.
As a matter of fact three of Pittsburgh’s four loses in their
first nine games is because they slacked and screwed up third period
leads. Now don’t get me wrong, I think the Penguins are very talented.
For example, during the second period of tonight’s game they miraculously
killed off a two minute Rangers 5 on 3 power play. Problem is Pittsburgh
is not always consistent throughout an entire hockey game. Reality is
Pittsburgh slacks towards the end of games when they are in the lead
as illustrated by three of their four losses this season being directly
attributed to messing up third period leads. Hence someone needs to
kick the Penguins tail feathers… perhaps just before they waddle
back onto the ice for the third period of games they are leading.
Okay, now let’s summarize the hockey
game: During the first period Darryl Sydor scored for the Penguins,
assisted by Tyler Kennedy and Kris Letang. Then Sidney Crosby, assisted
by Evgeni Malkin and Alex Goligoski, got the second goal in the second
period, giving the Penguins a 2-0 lead over the Rangers at Madison Square
Gardens (where Crosby was heavily booed by the way).
Trouble is, the Rangers rallied during the third period as Markus Naslund
scored a goal assisted by Scott Gomez and Chris Drury to make it 2-1.
Then with only a minute left in the game the Rangers pulled goalie Henrik
Lundqvist. Worst of all, rarely does pulling a goalie during the last
minute result in success but this time Nikolai Zherdev took care of
the goal. You see, the Rangers rushed the puck up the ice after taking
possession of a missed Sidney Crosby backhand shot on the empty net.
Yes, with only nine seconds left in the period Zherdev launched the
puck over Fleury’s shoulder and into the net.
Needless to say, during overtime the Penguins played much better but
neither team was able to score. The game went to a shootout.
Quite simply, the pressure was on Sidney Crosby, the third and last
shooter, during the shootout. The Rangers’ previous shooter, Fredrik
Sjostrom, got the goal and it was up to Sidney Crosby to score and keep
the Penguins alive. Here’s the deal, it was one young superstar
against another, Sidney Crosby taking on Henrik Lundvist, but this time
the goalie prevailed despite an impressive fake out move attempt by
the Penguins’ young captain.
But, I have to admit, even though the Penguins lost tonight I was happy
to see Sidney Crosby get a goal and extend his game point streak to
five (as did Evgeni Malkin). Don't worry as these two players heat up,
backed by spectacular goalies, the maturing Penguins will come together
to consistently perform even during the thrid period. After all, I think
their coach or even Mario Lemieux is about to give them that swift kick
to the butt they need to make it happen.
Its Goal 101 For Sidney Crosby
as Penguins Awaken
To Score 4 Goals
During Third Period
to Crush the Hurricanes
4-1
Thursday October 23, 2008
You're going to love this, Sidney Crosby
and Evgeni Malkin each picked up a goal and an assist, each now with
four game point streaks, in a game that looked like the Penguins weren't
going to score a single point against the Hurricanes.
To begin with, during the first period at
Mellon Arena Sidney Crosby and Eric Staal were penalized at the same
time. Crosby for interference and Staal for slashing. While both spent
two minutes in the penalty box, Carolina rookie Brendan Sutter got his
first NHL career goal as he put the puck past Marc Andre Fleury unassisted.
The game remained 1-0 for Carolina for both
the first and second period and it looked like the Canes might get a
win.
Hang on to your seat because at 8:15 of the
thrid period Sidney Crosby started an explosive rally for the Penguins
by scoring a goal. But wait, you have seen NOTHING yet... just thirty
two seconds later Ruslan Fedotenko scored another one for the Penguins,
assisted by Petr Sykora and Jordan Staal (brother of Hurricanes star
Eric Staal). In addition to that, just over three minutes later Tyler
Kennedy assisted Maxime Talbot on his goal making it 3-1.
Wait, there's more... to top it off, during
the last minute of the game, Evgeni Malkin fired a wrist shot into the
net assisted by Sidney Crosby and Rob Scuderi. The game ended with the
Pittsburgh Penguins defeating the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1.
And look at this: Sidney Crosby was named
the first star of the game, Evgeni Malkin the second star, and Maxime
Talbot the thrid star. And like I said at the beginning of this post
you're going to love this... unless of course you are a Hurricanes fan.
In Honor of His 100th Goal Sports Centre
Put Together The Following Video of Sidney Crosby's Top 10 Goals so
Far
Thursday October 23, 2008
Do You or Your Kids
Want To Play Pro Hockey?
Tuesday October 21, 2008
As a child Sidney Crosby idolized Steve Yzerman
and dreamed of making it to the NHL. Like Crosby, young hockey players
everywhere dream of making it to the NHL. Truth is, some naturally talented
players never make it, while others surprise us when they do.
Sidney Crosby spent 10 years attending Andrew’s
Hockey Growth Programs in Prince Edward Island before going pro. But
guess what? Not everyone can afford this guidance, the average cost
of hockey player development training will easily set you back thousands
of dollars just for a few 45 minute sessions.
Pittsburgh Penguins Beat Boston Bruins
With Evgeni Malkin's Shootout Goal
While Sidney Crosby's Shootout Shot Was Stopped He Did Pick Up an Assist
During The First Period
Monday October 20, 2008
Sidney Crosby managed another point tonight when he and
Evgeni Malkin assisted Miroslav Satan on the first goal of the night
late in the first period.
Boston's Phil Kessel scored for the Bruins during the
second period tying the game 1-1. The score remained tied and the hockey
game at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston went all the way to a shootout.
During the shootout Boston's Phil Kessel scored a goal
but Petr Sykora managed to get one for Pittsburgh right after. Sidney
Crosby attempted to score during the shootout but was stopped by goalie
Tim Thomas. The shootout went into an extra round where Evgeni Malkin
got the puck past Thomas winning the game for The Penguins 2-1.
Both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are on a
three game point streaks. Crosby has 1 goal and 6 assists.
Malkin has 1 goal and 7 assists.
Last season on December 20, 2007, during Sidney Crosby's
third NHL season and 194th NHL career game he earned his first ever
Gordie Howe hat trick in his first NHL career fight against Boston's
Andrew Ferrence. The fight took place in the same building they played
in tonight. You can watch a video of Sidney
Crosby's first fight and read all the details here.
The Penguins will host the Hurricanes on
Thursday.
Speaking of the Hurricanes, Eric Morrissette
a hockey player trainer NHL pros have trusted for over ten years just
released an online training tool that gives you the inside scoop on
the Canes secret training tool. If you or your kids want to
become the best hockey player possible and possibly make it to the NHL, then Eric's "Your
Hockey Training" is worth checking out.
Sidney Crosby’s First Goal of the
Season Marks the 100th of His Career and He Notched His 200th Assist
as the Pittsburgh Penguins Crushed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1
Saturday October 18, 2008
Putting Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby together on the
same line for the first time this season has paid off for the Penguins.
Both Crosby and Malkin earned four points each. Malkin had four assists,
while Crosby got his first goal of the season and three assists. In
fact, during this game against the struggling Maple Leafs, Crosby notched
his 100th career goal during the third period and passed the 200th career
assist mark (for a total of 302 points in 219 NHL career games). Sharing
in Crosby’s spotlight was Malkin who also hit a career milestone
by reaching 200 career points this game (with 201 points in 166 NHL
career games).
Toronto opened the scoring during the first period when
Nik Antropov got the first goal of the night. Less than a minute later
Pascal Dupuis scored a goal for the Penguins after picking up the rebound
from Sidney Crosby’s shot. While this wasn't anything fancy it
did officially mark Sidney Crosby's 200th assist. Besides, the other
two Crosby assists and goal showcased number eighty seven’s true
hockey genius.
During the second period, Miroslav Satan picked up a beautiful pass
that Crosby fired through the legs of Maple Leafs rookie Luke Schenn.
Satan quickly put the puck past Cujo for the goal. That was Pittsburgh’s
second goal of the game and Crosby’s second assist, much nicer
than the first. Crosby’s third point of the game came during the
third period when he scored his first goal of the season. But before
getting into the details of his goal its worth mentioning the sweet
assist that came shortly after his goal. Crosby made a snazzy cross-slot
pass (area in front of the net and between the faceoff circles) to Sykora
who buried the puck for the goal.
The best part of the game for Sidney Crosby and his fans was getting
his first goal of the season and the 100th of his NHL career. It was
a nice one too. To begin with, Crosby skated towards the Toronto net
just a little half way through the third period. Curtis Joseph was positioning
himself to poke the puck away but Crosby dodged him. Then Maple Leaf
Jonas Frogren dove knocking the puck to the boards. You’re going
to love this, Sidney Crosby got the puck back, fired off a shot, banking
it off of a Toronto defender’s skate and into the net.
Not surprisingly, Sidney Crosby was named the first star of the game,
Malkin the second, and Marc Andre Fleury who saved 26 of 27 shots was
named the third.
Sidney Crosby Gets First NHL Milestone Hat Trick
in History
Interestingly, Sidney Crosby is being credited for making history once
again by scoring the NHL's first ever milestone hat trick. Here is what
is being reported on the Pittsburgh
Penguins site, "Sidney Crosby registered the NHL’s first
ever milestone hat trick. The Penguins captain recorded his 100th goal,
200th assist and 300th point on three successive goals in Pittsburgh’s
4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night".
Penguins Take Comanding 3-0 Lead
Against Capitals
Less Than Two Minutes Into Second Period
Sidney Crosby Two Assists
Evgeni Malkin Two Assists and a Goal
Alexander Ovechkin Scoreless
But Capitlas Dig Deep To Win 4-3
Thursday October 16, 2008
Sidney Crosby still hasn't scored a goal but earned two
assists in the first period against Alexander Ovechkin's Washington
Capitals. Evgeni Malkin also earned two assists and a goal. It finally
looks like these two young stars are playing hockey like they should.
Alexander Ovechkin surprisingly was held at bay failing to register
a point. However, Ovechkin seemed to have his sights set on Russian
coutryman Evgeni Malkin. Ovechkin delivered several powerful hits this
game sending Malkin brutally into the boards.
The Penguins led 3-0, all from power play goals, by the
opening two minutes of the second period. Despite Pittsburgh's dominating
performance by this point the game, the Capitals still managed to win
the game 4-3. It seems the Penguins got too comfortable with their lead
and the Capitals dug deep to score a goal during the second period.
Then they scored three more during the third.
It looks like the Penguins quit the game early while the
Capitals never gave up. Someone should remind the Penguins to play 110%
all the way to the end of the game no matter how big of a lead they
have. It was quite obvious coach Michel Therrien was disgusted.
It seems The Penguins are off to a sluggish start just
like last season. On the bright side they made it to the Stanley Cup
Finals last year. Hopefully, the Penguins will get their act together
soon and it would be nice to see Sidney Crosby score his first goal
of the season.... ASAP.
Sidney Crosby Held Pointless For Second
Game in a Row
Tuesday October 14, 2008
Sidney Crosby failed to score a point tonight as the Penguins
battle for Pennsylvania ended with a 3-2 overtime victory against the
Flyers. Crosby was also called for slashing and ended up in the penalty
box for two minutes during the first period. Crosby has had a penalty
two games in a row and has yet to score a goal this season.
The Penguins other young superstar Evgeni Malkin failed
to score a point tonight as well. Although he came close hitting the
goal post twice during the second period.
Instead, Pascal Dupuis pulled off the game winning goal
towards the end of overtime. Brooks Orpik and Michael Zigomanis were
the other unlikely Penguins to score.
Obviously, the Penguins are lucky to have players willing
to put in a solid effort and get results when their young superstars
are unable to earn a point. Don't be surprised to see Malkin and Crosby
explode very soon and perform the way players of their caliber should.
Lets hope on Thursday Crosby will find a way to score
as the Washington Capitals and Alexander Ovechkin face the Penguins
at Mellon Arena.
Sidney Crosby Held Pointless as Penguins
Fall to Martin Brodeur’s New Jersey Devils 2-1 in Overtime
Saturday October 11, 2008
Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins played their
first home game at Mellon Arena this season. They faced the New Jersey
Devils. Both teams opened with spectacular play but things went downhill
for the Penguins after the first period.
Pittsburgh picked up the first goal on the power play, their only goal
of the game, during the first period. Martin Brodeur blocked Evgeni
Malkin’s shot which was then put passed New Jersey’s legendary
goalie by Miroslav Satan. Malkin picked up the assist for that one and
is now on a 3 game point streak. Crosby on the other hand was unable
to pick up a point but did get his first penalty of the season.
Sidney Crosby was called for interference during the second period.
And what’s worse he failed to score a point while his two grandmothers,
Linda Crosby and Catherine Forbes, attended their first game in Pittsburgh.
Surely, they would have rather seen Sidney Crosby score his first goal
of the season instead. In truth, Crosby played an amazing game, especially
earlier on, that his grandmothers could be proud of.
The real Penguins star this game though was Marc Andre Fleury who only
allowed 2 goals despite being outshot 49-15 by the Devils. Too bad such
an astounding performance, especially one Brodeur must admire, resulted
in an overtime loss. As it turns out Fleury was deservedly named the
first star of the game. On the downside though New Jersey wasn’t
able to score a single goal until the third and then in overtime they
emerged victorious 2-1.
Fleury’s 47 saves on 49 shots should have given the netminder
a win, but overall his team mates sucked this game especially when it
came to creating scoring chances and shooting the puck on goal. Even
captain Sidney Crosby acknowledges that.
Let’s hope this promising Penguins team is just a little rusty
after not playing since facing Ottawa in Sweden almost a week ago. Let’s
also hope Sidney Crosby gets his first goal of the season soon. Perhaps
it will come on Tuesday October 14, when Crosby and company face the
Philadelphia Flyers for the first battle of Pennsylvania this season.
Sidney Crosby Opens 2008-09 NHL Season
with Penguins Facing Senators In Stockholm Sweden
Sunday October 6, 2008
Sidney Crosby picked up two assists in the first two games
of the NHL season all the way across the Atlantic Ocean in Europe.
The Pittsburgh Penguins faced The Ottawa Senators defeating
them 4-3 in overtime on Friday October 4th during the first game. This
surely left a sour taste in the mouth of Senator’s captain Daniel
Alfredsson. Alfredsson, a native of Sweden, where the game was played,
surely would have liked to of won that game in front of his country
men.
Don't you wonder what what was worse for Alfredsson, when
Pittsburgh swept Ottawa in their last meeting during round one of the
Eastern Conference 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, or Alfredsson losing in
the motherland the first time the NHL holds a regular season game there?
Obviously, Pittsburgh and Crosby fans visiting this site
could care less. Its all about Sidney Crosby here. And over there in
Sweden Crosby picked up an assist, almost four minutes into the third
period (3:56), on Rob Scuderi’s 3-3 game tying goal that forced
overtime.
Tyler Kennedy got the game winning goal during overtime making it 4-3
for the Penguins and spoiling Daniel Alfredsson’s return to Sweden.
Alfredsson was held pointless.
Nonetheless, Ottawa came back in Stockholm Sweden the very next day,
Saturday October 5th, to beat Pittsburgh 3-1. Alfredsson set up Heatley
on his two power play goals. This allowed Alfredsson to save face in
front of the Swedes.
During this game Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin assisted on the lone
goal of the game for the Penguins. Alex Goligoski got the power play
goal for the Pens with just two seconds left in the game. Thats two
points in two games for Crosby. As you recall from last season Sidney
Crosby's career best game point streak was 19 (ending back on Wednesday
November 21, 2007 in a game against the Devils). Is this the start of
another game point streak for Crosby in the making?
The Penguins Fall In Game Six Of The
Stanley Cup Finals As The Detroit Red Wings Win The Cup At Mellon Arena
Wednesday June 4, 2008
Although The Penguins battled hard, game six went in favor
of Detroit who won the series 4-2 and are the 2008 NHL Stanley Cup Championship.
The Penguins Manage A Win At Joe Louis
Arena During An Intense Triple Overtime Playoffs Win Against The Red
Wings In Game 5
Monday June 2, 2008
Thanks To Petr Sykora's third overtime goal The Penguins
have managed to make it a 3-2 Stanley Cup Playoffs series led by The
Wings.
The Penguins Lose At Home During Game
4 Of The Stanley Cup Finals
Saturday May 31, 2008
Despite several power play opportunities the Penguins
were unable to capitalize as they fell at home for the first time in
17 games this season. The Red Wings now have a 3-1 series lead and tight
stranglehold on the Pens.
Sidney Crosby Got His First Stanley Cup
Playoffs Goal And The First Two For The Penguins In This Final Series
As They Defeat The Wings In Game 3
Wednesday May 28, 2008
There was no shutout for Chris Osgood as Sidney Crosby
got the first two goals for The Penguins this series against The Wings.
This was also Sidney Crosby's first Stanley Cup Finals goal. The Penguins
defeated The Wings 3-2 and are back in the series.
Sidney Crosby And The Penguins Trail
The Series 2-0 As They Head Back To Mellon Arena For Game 3
Monday May 26, 2008
The wings shutout The Penguins again 3-0 as the Penguins
head back to Mellon arena for game 3.
Sidney Crosby Saw Red As The Penguins
Fall In Game One Of 2008 Stanley Cup Finals To The Detroit Red Wings
Saturday May 24, 2008
Lets face it The Detroit Red Wings nailed Sidney Crosby
with big hits whenever they had a chance slowing him down a bit at times.
Please understand, both of these teams played a phenominal game and
this is going to be one spectacular Stanley Cup Finals series. Detroit
severly outshot Pittsburgh during the second and third periods 16 to
4 and 9 to 3 but Marc Andre Fleury made great saves. On the other end
Chris Osgood picked up the shutout and played spectacular as well. What
we have here are two great teams both with top goaltenders, and that
makes for a great hockey game.
Pittsburgh will surely work more on getting shots on goal
in future games and have as good of a chance of winning a game as Detroit.
Tonight things went in Detroit's favor but the level of skill and talent
both teams have will make the rest of the games go in anyone's favor.
Detroit won 4-0 and lead the series 1-0, game 2 is on
Monday May 28th at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.
Sidney Crosby's Second Assist On Remarkable
Stealth Steal From Mike Richards Is Game Turning Point As Penguins Shutout
Flyers In Game 5 Advancing To Stanley Cup Finals For First Time Since
1992
Sunday May 18, 2008
As it turns out Sidney Crosby had another strong playoffs
performance as The Pittsburgh Penguins shutout The Philadelphia Flyers
6-0 to win The Eastern Conference Stanley Cup Playoffs Championship
and advance to The Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in sixteen
years.
As you probably know, back in 1992 it was Mario Lemieux
and Jaromir Jagr who led Pittsburgh to The Stanley Cup Finals (and won)
but this year it’s a much younger captain in Sidney Crosby and
overall younger team making the final run.
Here is what happened in Pittsburgh’s final game
before taking their trip to the Stanley Cup Finals starting with Sidney
Crosby.
Sidney Crosby’s shot, just over two minutes into the first period,
was deflected into The Flyers’ net off of Ryan Malone’s
skate to open scoring for Game 5 of this playoffs series. And we don’t
stop there, Malone assisted on Malkin’s goal by mid first period
putting the Penguins up 2-0.
The fact is, the first two goals were the beginning of a spectacular
6-0 shutout of The Flyers administered by a young, hard skating, Penguins
team that not only is loaded with offense but played a solid defensive
game as well. That’s why Marc Andre Fleury only had to face 21
shots as he made his third shutout of the 2008 playoffs. Truth is, close
to mid second period Fleury was brilliant with big saves on two shots
coming from Daniel Briere and Geoff Hartnell. I’d like to tell
you more about what happened right after those key saves that marked
the game turning point with a spectacular play by none other than Sidney
Crosby.
Here’s how Sidney Crosby turned the momentum of the game in Pittsburgh’s
favor. Quite simply, as Mike Richards was winding up for a shot on Marc
Andre Fleury he didn’t see Sidney Crosby come up from behind robbing
him of the puck. As the loose puck traveled into The Flyers’s
end, Crosby took possession and passed it directly to Marian Hossa.
Of course, Hossa blasted off a shot right into the net making it a 3-0
game. This gave Sidney Crosby his second assist of the game and seventeenth
of the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Before the second period came to an end Pittsburgh buried two more
pucks behind Martin Biron into Philadelphia’s net. First on the
power play Ryan Malone scored once more assisted by Sergei Gonchar.
Then in the dying seconds of the period Pittsburgh took control of the
puck. Martin Biron stopped Maxime Talbot’s shot but don’t
worry Jordan Staal was there to backhand the rebound giving Pittsburgh
a commanding 5-0 lead.
Consider this: The Flyers despise their interstate / divisional Pittsburgh
rivals, are known for their physical play (including their reputation
to brawl), and were down five goals by the third period. With that said
you would expect the third period to erupt into an all out hockey brawl
reminiscent of the “Broad Street Bullies” era of NHL hockey
but guess what? The Flyers played a remarkably clean game of playoff
hockey. It’s true they didn’t even pick up a single penalty
during the third period, nor a goal for that matter.
In fact, the only goal during the third period came four minutes in
and was credited to Pascal Dupuis. Let me just quickly recap how this
goal came about. As Marian Hossa, traded to Pittsburgh from Atlanta
along with Dupuis, took the wrist shot it simply bounced off of Dupuis’
leg and into the net. By now Pittsburgh was up 6-0 and the score remained
locked in by the end of the game.
Bottom line is The Penguins have emerged The 2008 Eastern Conference
NHL Champions by beating The Flyers in the first playoffs version of
“The Battle of Pennsylvania”.
In post game ceremonies Captain Sidney Crosby accepted The Prince of
Whales Trophy awarded annually to the Conference Champs. Don’t
worry Crosby knew better than to touch the trophy preventing the superstition
of bad luck from coming true.
Finally, Sidney Crosby and many other young Penguins will make their
first trip to The Stanley Cup Finals to face the winner of the Detroit
Red Wings and Dallas Stars series which is currently at 3-2 for Detroit.
Sidney Crosby And The Penguins Unable
To Sweep The Never Surrender Flyers In Game 4 of The Battle of Pennsylvania
Thursday May 15, 2008
The "Battle of Pennsylvania" went in favor of
The Flyers for the first time this Eastern Stanley Cup playoffs finals
as they contained Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Marian Hossa, while
peppering Marc Andre Fleury with 33 shots. Three of those shots went
in, all during the first period, with a fourth by Jeffery Lupul on an
empty net at the end of the game. Jordan Stall managed two goals during
the third period that quieted nervous Flyers fans but it wasn't enough.
The Flyers beat The Pens 4-2.
Sidney Crosby Gets Two Assists And First
Star Of The Game As The Penguins Are One Game Away From Sweeping The
Flyers In The 2008 Eastern Conference Playoffs Finals
Tuesday May 13, 2008
Make no mistake, The Pittsburgh Penguins have a powerful
grip on their playoffs series against The Philadelphia Flyers. After
winning Game 3 (4-1), Sidney Crosby and his Penguins are just one game
away from a sweep, and a trip to The 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs.
While only getting one shot on goal, Sidney Crosby more
than made up for it with his vintage playmaking skills that got him
two points on assists. Thats not all, Sidney Crosby now leads playoffs
scoring with 19 points in 12 games and was named the first star of the
game.
An unlikely goal from Ryan Whitney just five minutes into
the game started the scoring for the Penguins. About two minutes later
Hossa scored a goal. Both of these goals were assisted by Sidney Crosby.
R.J. Umberger also scored during the first period to pick up the only
goal for the Flyers this game. The Penguins got two more goals during
the third, one by Ryan Malone and a late empty netter by Marian Hossa.
The Penguins won the game and now lead the series 3-0,
just one game away from sweeping The Flyers and heading to the Stanley
Cup Finals.
Sidney Crosby's First Goal Counts But
His Second Doesnt But With Other Goals From Hossa, Staal, and Talbot's
Game Winner The Penguins Defeated The Flyers 4-2 Taking The Easter Conference
Finals Lead 2-0
Sunday May 11, 2008
The Penguins have done it again with Sidney Crosby opening
scoring for the game with the first goal. A second goal by Crosby was
deemed inconclusive by video replay and the officials denied the goal.
Hossa scored the second goal for The Penguins and Staal the final goal
on an empty net. But it was the third goal by fourth liner Maxime Talbot
that was the game winner. When Crosby speaks of those guys stepping
up, it guys like Talbot and others on the thrid and forth lines who
manage to contribute when really needed.
The Penguins officially lead the series 2-0 and will be
heading to Philidelphia for Game 3 on Tuesday May 11.
Sidney Crosby Managed To Score His First
Playoff Goal In Six Games While Evgeni Malkin Finished Off Game 1 Of
The Bitter Battle Of Pennsylvania 2008 Eastern Confernece Finals
Friday May 9, 2008
Here's the deal the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia
Flyers have a long heated intrastate division rivalry that has been
going on for over 40 years. In a nut shell, Sidney Crosby and The Penguins
absolutely despise The Philadephia Flyers. There is a lot of bad blood
between these two teams in just the last few seasons alone, not to mention
the last fourty years.
Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that this is the first
time in NHL history these two same state foes have faced eachother for
the Eastern Conference finals and a chance to make it to the final round
where the winner will emerge the 2008 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs winner.
Tonight, in Game 1 of The 2008 Eastern Conference finals
The Penguins beat The Flyers 4-2.
And best of all, Sidney Crosby managed to tie the game
2-2 during the first period by scoring his first goal in the last six
of ten playoff games this season. The goal came at 14:11 of the first
period when Marian Hossa intercepted a clearing pass, made by Flyers
goalie Martin Biron, and passing it to Sidney Crosby. But thats not
all, this was a key game tying goal for Sidney Crosby because it broke
his 5 game goalless streak and gave The Penguins the momentum they needed
to win the game. Evgeni Malkin finished the goal scoring with two dazzling
goals five minutes apart with the game winner right at the end of the
first period, and another early in the second.
Sidney Crosby Assisted On A Pair Of Goals
By Marian Hossa Including the Game Winning Overtime Goal That Secured
The Penguins Semi Finals Series Win Over The Rangers
Sunday May 4, 2008
The Pittsburgh Penguins have beaten The
New York Rangers in 5 games during their 2008 Eastern Conference playoffs
semi finals round. The Penguins now advance to The Eastern Conference
finals. Final score for game 5 at Mellon Arena 3-2.
The Pittsburgh Penguins Hot Playoffs
Winning Streak Ends At Seven After Henrik Lundqvist Shuts Them Out To
Lose Game 4 Against The Rangers
Thursday May 1, 2008
The Pittsburgh Penguins' were shutout and
lost a game for the first time during the 2008 NHL playoffs. Here is
what the Sidney Crosby Show Blog had to say...
Ugh. That wasn't pretty. The Pens could
not break the Rangers' goalie. That, and they shot themselves in the
collective foot with their 110 turnovers (practically every single Pen
turned the puck over at least once tonight). Sid didn't play like we
all know he can, Ryan Malone missed on a beautiful shorthanded breakaway,
and Evgeni Malkin may have shifted the momentum of the game in favor
of the Rangers when he missed a penalty shot. Jaromir Jagr, Brandon
Dubinsky, Brendan Shanahan, and Henrik Lundqvist won the game for their
team. The Rangers played the same game they've been playing throughout
this series (complete with Jagr again doing the bulk of the work), but
the exception tonight was that Lundqvist provided his team with a brick
wall in front of their net. The Pens did NOT play terribly by any stretch
of the imagination - they had TONS of scoring chances - but Lundqvist
was clearly in the zone tonight and NOTHING got him out of it. He was
bound and determined to get his second career shutout tonight - and
he did. Read
the complete post here.
Evgeni Malkin Two Goals Sidney Crosby
Two Assits And The Penguins Playoffs Hot Streak Continues As They Remain
Undefeated Beating Rangers 5-3 In Game 3
Tuesday April 29, 2008
The Pittsburgh Penguins have done it again
remaining undefeated during the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs for the Eastern
Conference. Sidney Crosby picked up 2 assists, Evgeni Malkin picks up
an assist and 2 goals (including the game winner), Marian Hossa scores
the first goal of the game, Ryan Malone got the final goal of the game
and even big Georges Laraque got in on the action with the second goal
of the game for Pittsburgh. Jodie from The Sidney Crosby Show Blog always
does a great game recap. Here is what she had to say about game 3...
WOOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!! WHAT A GAME!!! Before
the game even started, FSN Pittsburgh addressed the questionable yet
unpunished behavior of IFHSA™ (throughout this series. They showed
a replay of the face scrap, the slashes, and the fight with Giant Hal
Gill in front of MAF at the end of Game 2. Upon seeing it again, IFHSA™
actually took a swing at Gill with his stick as Gill was dropping his
gloves. This guy needs to be dealt with. That's another difference between
Jarrko Ruutu and IFHSA™ - Ruutu wants to irritate people; IFHSA™
( I effin hate Sean Avery) wants to hurt them. Read
the complete post here.
Marc Andre Fleury Gets The Shutout Jordan
Staal Gets The Game Winning Goal And Sidney Crosby Keeps Rangers Busy
In Game 2 Of Stanley Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semi Finals To
Win 2-0 The Penguins Lead Series 2-0
Sunday April 27, 2008
The Rangers did their best to contain Sidney
Crosby but he kept them busy all game. The truth is New York didn’t
even allow Crosby one point this Stanley Cup playoffs game. But here’s
the thing with Crosby he didn’t need any points to play his incredible
game. As it turns out Crosby played a physical game, set up many scoring
chances, and kept his opponents focused on himself allowing his team
mates to showcase their skills.
Even with the stellar play of goalie Henrik Lundqvist, Jordan Staal
managed to get the game winning goal during the second period on the
power play where Crosby, Hossa, and Malone all failed. Marc Andre Fleury
and The Penguins were able to kill off two key power plays The Rangers
were trying to take advantage of during the third period. The result?
Nothing for The Rangers to be happy about.
The Penguins won their first six playoffs games in a row, a first in
franchise history. Final score 2-0 for Pittsburgh who lead the series
2-0 and will face The Rangers on April 29 at Madison Square Gardens
in New York for game 3 of the Eastern Conference semi final series.
Sidney Crosby Best Player In First Playoffs
Semifinal Game With Fantastic Plays And By Encouraging Penguins Never
Quit Attitude Erases Rangers' Commanding 3-0 Lead Resulting In 5-4 Victory
For Pittsburgh
Friday April 25, 2008
Sidney Crosby was the best player during
game 1 in round 2 of The Eastern Conference Stanley Cup playoffs semifinal
against The New York Rangers. In fact, Sidney Crosby was named the first
star of the game.
The determination in Crosby’s will
and his never quit attitude, even when it looks like there is no hope,
is one of his finest assets as team captain. It is Sidney Crosby’s
determination and attitude that his teammates feed upon driving them
to miraculous comebacks like tonight’s 5-4 victory over The New
York Rangers.
Sidney Crosby Expresses His Artistic
Talent By Painting A Plate To Be Auctioned Off At Parkinson's Disease
Auction
Wednesday April 23, 2008
Sidney Crosby along with several other celebraties
like Tom Hanks, Henry Winkler, and Martha Stewart, to name a few have
designed and autographed plates that will be auctioned off on eBay between
April 20, 2008 and May 10, 2008 to support the Parkinson Society Maritime
Region in Nova Scotia.
Its Official Sidney Crosby And The Pittsburgh
Penguins Will Face The New York Rangers In Round 2 Of The Eastern Conference
2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Tuesday April 22, 2008
Sidney Crosby and The Pittsburgh Penguins
could have faced Alexander Ovechkin and The Washington Capitals in round
2 of the Eastern Conference playoffs had The Flyers lost to The Capitals.
However, The Capitals lost in Game 7 of their series against The Flyers
tonight. This ensures that The Penguins will now face The Rangers.
Update Wednesday, April 23, 2008 : Game 1 of round 2 of the Eastern Conference playoffs series has been
scheduled for this Friday April 25, 2008. The Pittsburgh Penguins will
host The New York Rangers and the game will be broadcast on CBC and
Versus starting at 7pm.
Sidney Crosby VS Alexander Ovechkin In
Round 2 Of Stanley Cup Playoffs Or Will Pens Face Rangers Instead
Monday April 21, 2008
Sidney Crosby and The Pittsburgh Penguins
were the first team to advance to round 2 of the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs
but their next opponent was uncertain as the rest of the Eastern Conference
playoff teams were still finishing their series. Tonight Montreal eliminated
Boston, had Boston won they would of faced Pittsburgh in round 2. Two
possibilites remain on who the Penguins play next and it all hindges
the outgome of the Washington Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers series.
Tonight Alexander Ovechkin scored 2 goals
during the third period in game 6 of the Capitals vs Flyers playoffs
series to tie it at 3 games a piece. The game now goes back to Washington
tomorrow night for game 7. If Washington wins then Sidney Crosby will
face Alexander Ovechkin in round 2. If Philadelphia wins then The Penguins
will take on The New York Rangers instead.
Imagine the hype should The Washington Capitals
faceoff against the Pittsburgh Penguins this playoffs series. You would
have 3 of the top young players in the league (Sidney Crosby, Evgeni
Malkin, and Alexander Ovechkin) battling it out for the Stanley Cup.
Sidney Crosby Gets A Goal And Assist
As
Pittsburgh Sweep Ottawa In Round 1 Of Stanley Cup Playoffs
Wednesday April 16, 2008
The Penguins wrap up round one of the Eastern
Conference 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs by sweeping The Ottawa Senators.
Last year The Senators eliminated the Penguins in five games during
round one of the playoffs, this year it’s the other way around,
only The Penguins did it in four games.
Sidney Crosby Gets The Game Winning Goal
As The Penguins Win Three In A Row Against The Senators In The First
Round Of The Stanley Cup Playoffs
Monday April 14, 2008
The Penguins have done it again winning
three back to back games against The Senators in the opening round of
the 2008 NHL playoffs with Sidney Crosby getting the game winning goal.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are on the verge of sweeping the The Ottawa
Senators in the first round of the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Sidney Crosby picked up an assist on Marian
Hossa's third period goal and scored a the spectacular game winning
goal which started with him winning the opeing faceoff during the third
period. Crosby then kicked the puck ahead with his skate as he drove
it down the ice. Crosby's goal was actually shot without him even looking,
ultimately faking out Ottawa goalie Martin Gerber. Sidney Crosby was
the second star of the night. Read
more about the game and Sidney Crosby's game winning goal and his first
of The 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs.
4 Assists For Sidney Crosby And Pittsburgh
Wins Again Taking Game 2 Over Ottawa 5-3 To Lead Eastern Conference
Quarter Finals 2 Games To None
Friday April 11, 2008
Sidney Crosby was able to pick up his first
four points of the 2007-08 Stanley Cup playoffs tonight as Pittsburgh
emerged victorious again 5-3 in game 2 of this Eastern Conference quarter
finals series against Ottawa. During Game 1 Sidney Crosby was only able
to get four shots on goal and The Senators effectively shut him down
holding him pointless. Tonight game 2 was more productive for Sidney
Crosby as he assisted on 4 goals and was able to get 6 shots on net.
He also had more ice time tonight with 19:52 as opposed to the 17:56
that he played in game 1.
The Penguins dazzled the home crowd with vibrant energy that kept The
Senators chasing and hardly able to touch the puck for much of the first
period as they outshot them 20-8. Read
more...
Sidney Crosby Throws Solid Bodychecks
And Brawls Late In First Game Of Stanley Cup Playoffs As Penguins Shutout
Senators 4-0
Wednesday April 9, 2008
Sidney Crosby officially made his second
NHL Stanley Cup playoffs appearance during round one game one at Mellon
Arena as The Pittsburgh Penguins battled The Ottawa Senators to win
the game 4-0.
While Sidney Crosby was unable to pick up
any points during the game he did throw a couple of solid bodychecks
and got into a fight with Wade Redden and Martin Gerber of The Senators
late in the game. Sidney Crosby's fight resulted in a 2 minute roughing
penalty for Pittsburgh's captain.
Sidney Crosby Misses Regulation Season
Finale As Penguins Miss Opportunity To Win NHL Eastern Conference Title
Flyers Shutout Penguins 2-0
Sunday April 6, 2008
Coach Michel Therrien's choice to keep Sidney
Crosby out of the final regular season game for the 2007-08 NHL season
may or may not have been a good move. In the short term Crosby could
have helped his team beat The Philadelphia Flyers giving The Penguins
an Eastern Conference title, which they have not held since the 1991-92
NHL season. Instead, Sidney Crosby was scratched from the line up and
The Flyers shutout The Penguins 2-0.
Considering the brutally physical style
of play Philadelphia is known for, as evidenced last Wednesday when
they punished the Penguins with a focus on Crosby, keeping Sidney safe
for the playoffs was smart. However, it may have cost The Penguins the
Eastern Conference title which they would have won if they beat the
Flyers. Instead the Eastern Conference title now belongs to The Montreal
Canadiens for the first time in 19 years (1988-89). In the end The Pittsburgh
Penguins winning The Stanley Cup is the ultimate goal so Therrien made
a respectable call. Sidney Crosby will have time to rest his ankle and
mentally focus for the upcoming NHL playoffs.
The Penguins appear to be coming together for the playoffs. Sidney
Crosby, Marc Andre Fleury, Marian Hossa, and Gary Roberts are all good
to go. After missing 43 games due to a broken leg, veteran Gary Roberts
returned in time to warm up with one regulation game before heading
into the playoffs.
Today’s loss has seeded The Penguins against The Ottawa Senators
during the first round of the playoffs. Last season Ottawa showed Pittsburgh
the door after a 5 game playoff series. This year Pittsburgh has improved
their depth and experience while Ottawa is not meeting last year’s
standard of play. The Senators should not be underestimated and the
first round will be a tough challenge for Pittsburgh.
Even though The Penguins lost this afternoon to The Flyers, their overall
season performance was fantastic and they finished the regular season
with The Atlantic Division title and a record of 102 points ( 47 wins,
27 losses, and 8 overtime losses) all with Sidney Crosby missing 28
games. Sidney Crosby missed the games with a right high ankle sprain
and finished his third season with with 24 goals, 48 assists, and 72
points.
Sidney Crosby Scores 2 Goals And Gets
An Assist As Pittsburgh Penguins Defeat Philidephia Flyers 4-2 To Win
First Division Title Since 1998
Wednesday April 2, 2008
Tonight Sidney Crosby first assisted on
a goal then notched two of his own. The Penguins defeated The Flyers
4-2 in regulation to win the Atlantic Division title to the delight
of the home crowd at Mellon Arena. The Pens will play their final regulation
game on Sunday facing the Flyers once more.
Pittsburgh Penguins Unable To Clinch
First Division Title In 10 Years Falling 2-1 To New York Rangers During
Overtime
Modnay March 31, 2008
Captain Sidney Crosby played a good game
but was unable to lead The Penguins to their first division title in
a decade as they fell to The Rangers 2-1 during overtime at Madison
Square Gardens. Crosby picked up 2 assists last night at Mellon Arena
when The Penguins beat The Rangers but he was unable to score points
tonight or win the game against the same Rangers team. Despite losing,
Pittsburgh managed to pick up a point putting them 2 points ahead of
Montreal for first in the Eastern Conference. Winning just one of the
last 2 regulation season games The Penguins have left, both against
the Flyers, will guarantee them the Atlantic Division title.
Sidney Crosby Assists On Goals By Both
Marian Hossa and Evgeni Malkin In A Penguins “Stanley Cup Playoffs Style”
Victory Over The Rangers 3-1
Sunday March 30, 2008
During their fourth-last regular season
game, Sidney Crosby and The Pittsburgh Penguins played an intense “Stanley
Cup playoff style” game against The Rangers today. During the first
period Brandon Dubinsky, assisted by Jaromir Jagr and Christian Backman
of The New York Rangers scored the first goal of the game. Then Sidney
Crosby assisted on the next two goals of the first period, first on
Marian Hossa’s wicked wrist shot goal at 10:21 of the period, and then
on Evgeni Malkin’s game winning goal at 17:56. The final and only other
goal of the game came with only 43 seconds left in the game by Pittsburgh’s
Maxime Talbot assisted by Jordan Staal and Rob Scuderi. Pens goalie
Marc Andre Fleury performed exceptionally well in his seventh straight
win, stopping 26 of 27 shots by The Rangers, many of them coming within
a few feet from the net.
Apparently the Pittsburgh Penguins are almost
back to full strength as evidenced by Sidney Crosby clicking well with
Hossa, getting physical during the game, and playing well on a stronger
ankle. Evgeni Malkin is still in the line up after a scare during the
second period when he left to have his face stitched up after being
cut by Brandon Dubinsky's skate. Evgeni Malkin has established his superb
playing skills (currently at 104 points for second place in league scoring
this season just behind Ovechkin at 109) will be a valuable asset during
the playoffs. Marc Andre Fleury also has proven he is prepared to wins
games with his spectacular record (only one loss out of 10 games) since
returning from the high ankle injury that put him out of action for
three months. Tonight The Penguins also showed they are prepared to
play tough as they responded to The Rangers physically aggressive style
of play. With the playoffs just around the corner The Penguins better
get used to battling physically during playoff games, and playing through
bruises and pain because that’s what they must do if they plan to win
the Stanley Cup this year.
While The Penguins have a lot going for
them right now there are areas they can improve upon. Of course with
the Stanley Cup playoffs almost here every hockey team, regardless of
how good, should be criticized so that areas in need of improvement
are brought to light. The
Confluence of Three Rivers discussed areas The Penguins could improve
upon in their Blog post covering today’s game. For example, the post
states that, “once again the Penguins did not get very many pucks on
net, today only getting 20 (shots on goal). And incredibly, that includes
eight opportunities on the powerplay when they only scored when they
had a two-man advantage.”
After today’s game against The Rangers it
looks like Sidney Crosby is back and clicking well with Hossa and The
Penguins are pumped to take their division and conference titles before
getting the playoffs started. The Pittsburgh Penguins beat The New York
Rangers 3-1 to once again pull one point ahead of the idled Montreal
Canadiens for first place in the Eastern Conference. Pittsburgh is also
six points ahead of New Jersey by 6 points for first place in the Atlantic
Division. By winning at least one of their last three regular season
games The Pittsburgh Penguins will take their first division title since
10 years ago when they won the North East Division back in 1998.
The Pittsburgh Penguins will face The New
York Rangers once more tomorrow night at Madison Square Gardens.
The Sidney Crosby Show Blog once again has
a great game
recap of today’s game. The details on Sidney Crosby’s cross checking
and all the rough play and penalties are in the post.
Sidney Crosby Returns He Really Does
Thursday March 27, 2008
After much talk the speculation of when
Sidney Crosby would return playing can be put to rest. Tonight in a
home game at Mellon Arena Sidney Crosby played for the first time in
7 games as The Pittsburgh Penguins beat The New York Islanders 3-1.
After missing 21 games, Sidney Crosby returned
to the line up on March 4, 2008 and played in three games. After those
three games he experienced discomfort around the injured right ankle
forcing him to miss 7 more games. Tonight Crosby returned for the second
time and played with Marian Hossa for the first time. This was Sidney
Crosby's first home game since January 18, 2008.
Sidney Crosby almost set up Marian Hossa
several times for a highlight reel goal. Unfortunately, the pair were
unable to complete the plays. Hossa left the ice twice disappearing
into the dressing room each time after being hit. The second hit came
early in the third period when Hossa was skating backwards and New York's
Sean Bergenheim sent him to the ground. Marian Hossa was labeled as
having an upper body injury but was seen walking around the Penguins
dressing room after the game.
Evgeni Malkin, Jarkko Ruutu, and Georges
Laraque all notched a goal for Pittsburgh, while Josef Vasicek scored
the only goal for New York. Crosby took three shots on net this game
but failed to get a goal or earn a single point tonight. Fortunately,
The Penguins managed to win the game anyways giving them a 1 point lead
over The Canadiens to take first place in The Eastern Conference.
Sidney Crosby played well regardless of
notching points tonight. In fact, The Sidney Crosby Show Blog game
recap pointed out: "(during the second period) something
happened to let us know that Sid was back - I mean really back - this
time. He was flying down the ice. The puck was up on its edge
and, to get around the Isles' defenders, Sid used the blade of his stick
to flip the puck up over Meyer. Then Sid skated around Meyer and regained
control of the puck. He just couldn't get a shot on goal, or that would
have been one of those highlight reel goals. It was stunning!!!"
It will be exciting to see Sidney Crosby
playing in the final games leading up to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, especially
if Marian Hossa's resumes playing with him again soon.
Sidney Crosby Resumes Playing Tomorrow
Against The New York Islanders In Preparation For The Stanley Cup Playoffs
Wednesday March 26, 2008
Sidney Crosby participated in an optional
practice today, with news reports claiming his ankle was problem free.
In fact, reports have Sidney Crosby saying he felt stronger and more
confident with this return as opposed to his last attempt to return
from the injury.
Now that the Pittsburgh Penguins have clinched
a playoff spot after beating The New Jersey Devils yesterday, 2-0, it
looks like Crosby will attempt to get back into the swing of things
just in time for the post season. Crosby will play centre on a line
with Marian Hossa. This will be the first time Sidney Crosby and Marian
Hossa play together on the same line and same team.
There have been several assumptions that
Sidney Crosby would return over the last few games but that did not
happen. This is the first time that Sidney Crosby has actually given
the word he will actually play instead of saying he may play. This may
really be Sidney Crosby's return and first time playing with Marian
Hossa, creating a lot of excitement among hockey fans.
Marc Andre-Fleury Shutout The Devils
As Pittsburgh Battled New Jersey Winning 2-0 And Securing A Spot In
The Stanley Cup Playoffs
Tuesday March 25, 2008
Sidney Crosby missed another game and The
Pittsburgh Penguins managed to bounce back from last night’s awkward
loss to win again without their captain. Not only did the Penguins blank
The Devils 2-0 during the eight and final regular season game between
the two teams, but the win secured them a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Just over five minutes into the game Pittsburgh’s Ryan Whitney
sent the puck to Ryan Malone who scored the game winning goal on Martin
Brodeur during the power play. The rest of the game was very tight as
Pittsburgh and New Jersey took turns moving the puck up and down the
ice with neither able to score a goal. With less than a minute to go
in the game Pittsburgh’s Marian Hossa was able to put the puck
into an empty net finalizing the win over New Jersey.
At least The Devils weren’t shamed with a 7-1 loss similar to
what happened on Saturday night at Mellon Arena against The Penguins.
While The Devils were unable to score a goal, they did manage to move
the puck and create chances in a tight game, playing much better than
their last game. Still The Penguins were able to shutout Martin Brodeur
and his New Jersey Devils tonight.
Pittsburgh Penguins Goalie Marc Andre Fleury managed to notch his 4th
shutout of the 2007-08 NHL Season. Fleury drafted 1st overall during
the 2003 NHL entry draft now has 11 professional career shutouts. Marc
Andre Fleury’s first NHL career shutout came during his sixth
professional NHL game on October 30, 2003 when The Pittsburgh Penguins
beat The Chicago Blackhawks 1-0. Tonight’s shutout gives The Penguins
a jump over the Devils for first place in the Atlantic Division.
The Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils have been battling for
first place in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference. Tonight’s
win keeps Pittsburgh in the top spot in the Atlantic Division, now 4
points ahead of New Jersey. The Penguins win now puts them just 1 point
behind The Canadiens for first in The Eastern Conference. With The Montreal
Canadiens idled until Friday night and The Pittsburgh Penguins facing
the Islanders at Mellon Arena on Thursday, there is a chance The Penguins
could win that game to take over first place in the East.
Reports have Sidney Crosby listed as day to day with his high right
ankle injury and he could play in The Penguins’ home game against
The Islanders on Thursday. Crosby has missed the last seven games in
a row, and 28 of the last 31 games since his injury. While Pittsburgh
continues to win without him, fans are eager to see Crosby play a few
games before the regular season ends, and impatiently hoping he will
be ready for the 2007-08 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Sidney Crosby Fails To Return As Penguins
Delivered Shameful Loss By The Islanders
Monday March 24, 2008
Reports of Sidney Crosby returning to the
line up tonight turned out to be a disappointment for fans when he didn’t
play. The Penguins lost to The Islanders 4-1 failing to clinch a playoff
spot.
Petr Sykora was the only Penguins player
to score a goal. No one from the Penguins organization could explain
the poor performance of the team who just came off of a stellar 7-1
home game win over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. Apparently the
Penguins learned the hard way that The Islanders are not a team to be
taken lightly.
Sidney Crosby did participate in the morning
skate on Long Island and hopes still abound that he will return before
the regular season ends, just in time for the playoffs. Crosby has now
missed 27 of the last 30 games.
Sidney Crosby Was The Eleventh Penguin
In Franchise History To Reach 100 Points In A Season And Tonight Malkin
Became The Twelfth As Pittsburgh Obliterates New Jersey 7-1 Taking First
Place In The Atlantic Division
Saturday March 22, 2008
For the last two seasons Sidney Crosby became
one of the few Pittsburgh Penguins in history to reach 100 points in
a season, Evgeni Malkin hit the mark with two goals and an assist tonight
as Pittsburgh clobbered New Jersey 7-1. Tonight's game was the third
time in five games that The Penguins have scored 7 goals in a game.
The Penguins won 4 of their last 5 games and scored a team season high
7 goals in 3 of the games, all without captain Sidney Crosby.
The victory broke a tie between The Penguins
and The Devils who were leading the Atlantic divison, both chasing The
Canadiens for first in the Eastern Conference. Evgeni Malkin scored
both his goals and earned an assist all in the third period of the game
giving him 3 points tonight (102 in total this season and 4 behind league
leader Alexander Ovechkin in a race for the Art Ross Trophy). The 100
points in a season mark has only been reached 28 times in franchise
history by only 12 different Penguins players. Sidney Crosby reached
the 100 point mark twice and Mario Lemieux did it nine times.
An expanded version of this article covering
The Penguins’ Sidney Crosby-less 7-1 victory over The Devils,
Crosby’s return for the Stanley Cup playoffs, Evgeni Malkin’s
100 point season making franchise history, what other 11 Penguins made
the 100 point season milestone, Crosby possibly winning the Stanley
Cup and IIHF Memorial Cup, Evgeni Malkin’s record against The
Devils this season, and more is available
right here on the Sidney Crosby Spotlight.
Sidney Crosby To Miss Games For Rest
Of Week Including Saturday Against New Jersey
Thursday March 20, 2008
The Penguins are currently in a tie for
first place with The Devils in the Atlantic division who they face this
Saturday. Both The Penguins and The Devils are chasing The Canadiens
for first place in the Eastern Conference.
Current specualtion says Sidney Crosby will
not play any games until Monday of next week.
This would put Crosby in the line up for
the road game against The New York Islanders Monday but Tuesday night
The Penguins will face The Devils once more and Crosby will play them
if back by this time.
In the mean time Sidney Crosby will be skating
through the weekend with his conditioning coach to gauge his ability
to return by Monday.
After beating Tampa Bay, 4-2, The Pittsburgh
Penguins have 8 regular season games left and are not rushing Crosby
back into the line up.
As a matter of fact The Penguins would rather
have Sidney Crosby ready for the playoffs. The Pittsburgh Post Gazetter
reported, "Coach Therrien was adamant that the Penguins will not
rush Crosby back, and that Crosby, like other injured players, will
have the final say on when he's able to return. While the Penguins plan
to get Crosby some game action during the closing weeks of the regular
season, their priority is to have him as prepared as possible for the
postseason."
Evgeni Malkin Gets A Goal And An Assist
As The Penguins Beat The Lightning 4-2 Tying The Devils For First In
The Atlantic Division
Thursday March 20, 2008
Jarkko Ruttu scored the first goal of the
game during the first period. According to Pittsburgh's Jarkko Rutuu
(as reported by The Associated Press) the team's disappointing results
in the first two periods can be attributed to sloppy play. However,
when the third period started The Penguins improved their play just
51 seconds in with Jordan Staal and Petr Sykora scoring 16 seconds apart.
Evgeni Malkin assisted on Sykora's third
perioad goal and put in a goal of his own during the second period giving
him 99 points (only 3 behind Ovechkin for the league points lead). This
gives Evgeni Malkin his 26th multipoint game of the 2007-08 NHL season.
While Sidney Crosby was not in the line
up against Tampa Bay, reports stated he was to begin skating and conditioning
his sore ankle today. Crosby has missed 4 games in a row and 25 of the
last 28 games since his high right ankle injury.
This win against Tampa Bay puts Pittsburgh
one point behind Montreal for first in the Eastern Conference and tied
with New Jersey for first in the Atlantic division.
The Sidney Crosby Show Blog has an excellent
game
recap.
13-7-4 Record For Pittsburgh With Sidney
Crosby Out Of Lineup
No Points For Evgeni Malkin
And The Rangers Beat The Penguins 5-2
Tuesday March 18, 2008
The Crosby-less Penguins couldn't get that
lucky 777. After winning and getting 7 goals per game their last two
games The Pens only scored 2 goals losing 5-2 to The New York Rangers.
Loud mouth Sean Avery got two goals for
The Rangers while netminder Henrik Lundvist picked up his 100th career
NHL win. Lundvist now holds the franchise record for the quickest (187
games) to reach 100 wins. The previous record, 198 games, was held by
Mike Richter.
Evgeni Malkin was held pointless this game.
Sidney Crosby watched the game from a suite
with his father Troy Crosby. Troy Crosby was still in town after attending
a fund raiser on the weekend which honored his son Sidney.
Sidney was presented the American Irish
Fund Chairman’s Award, which recognizes exceptional leadership
in community and charitable activities, at the St. Patrick's day American
Ireland Fund bash on Saturday night. According to the Pittsburgh
Tribune Review, "The East Club Lounge at Heinz Field was transformed
into 'Crosby's Pub,' as a tip o' the hat to honoree and Penguins great
Sidney Patrick Crosby (with dad Troy)."
Unfortunately, Troy Crosby didn't get to
see his son, Sidney Crosby, play against the Rangers, nor did he get
to see The Penguins win.
Sidney Crosby And Steve Yzerman Are Team
Captains That Make Impact!
Monday March 17, 2008
The March 2008 issue of ‘Impact!’, The NHL.com’s
online magazine showcased Sidney Crosby on the cover and a great feature
article on The NHL’s youngest captain in league history. The article
features thoughts and comments on Sidney Crosby from greats like Scotty
Bowman and Steve Yzerman, Crosby’s idol and role model growing
up. Find out who the top 10 NHL captains in the last 20 years are, and
the successful team captain qualities
that leaders like Sidney Crosby and Steve Yzerman posses.
Sidney Crosby Did Not Play With New Team
Mate Marian Hossa Who Took Part In
The Penguins 7 - 1 Demoliton Of The Flyers During His First Home Game
At Mellon Arena
Sunday March 16, 2008
Marian Hossa made his return to the ice tonight as The
Penguins faced off against The Flyers. This was Hossa's second game
playing as part of the Penguins, his first ending with an injury before
the game ended. Earlier during the week fans hoped Crosby and Hossa
would be on the ice together for this game.
However, on Wednesday March 12, 2008 Sidney Crosby announced
he would not play due to soreness in his right ankle again. The same
night Pittsburgh slaughtered The Sabres 7-3 picking up their highest
scoring game of the season. Speculation arose that Sidney Crosby would
be ready to play in The Pittsburgh Penguins next game to be held against
the Philadelphia Flyers.
However, Sidney Crosby announced prior to the game he would be out
at least another week. Crosby could be back in the line up when the
Penguins host The Devils on Saturday.
Again without Sidney Crosby The Penguins clobbered The Flyers 7-1,
matching their record for highest scoring game of the season only set
last game.
Wathcing game highlights on the news was shocking as they displayed
Mike Richards' skate blade flying up into the neck of Evgeni Malkin.
Fortunately, Malkin made out much better than poor Richard Zednik did
when his carotid artery was severed.
The game recap over at The Sidney Crosby Show said, "Man, I thought
the 7-3 Sabres win was a murder! This was an absolute SLAUGHTER!!! The
Flyers didn't seem to know the puck from a hole in the ground."
The complete recap is available at The
Sidney Crosby Show.
The NHL Will Be Sending Sidney Crosby
And The Pittsburgh Penguins To Finland For Exhibition Game Prior To
2008-09 NHL Season
Thursday March 13, 2008
This NHL season opened with The Los Angeles Kings and
Anaheim Ducks playing a couple of hockey games in Europe (London). The
NHL will send Sensation Sidney Crosby and Russian Powerhouse Evengi
Malkin to Helsinki Finland on October 2, 2008, to play an exhibition
game against Jokerit (a professional top-level Finnish team) at Hartwall
Arena.
Following the exhibition game the 2008-09 NHL regular
season will begin in Europe with Sidney Crosby and company facing off
against the Ottawa Senators October 4 and 5 in Stockholm Sweeden. A
second pair of regular season games will feature The New York Rangers
taking on The Tampa Bay Lightning in Prague (Czech Republic) also on
October 4 and 5, 2008.
Despite Sidney Crosby Missing The Game
With Sore Right Ankle Powerhouse Pittsburgh Pulls Off Highest Scoring
Game This Season
Penguins 7 - Sabres 3
Wednesday March 12, 2008
Sidney Crosby was not in the line up against The Sabres
in tonights hockey game. Sidney Crosby experienced pain in his right
ankle after the team's morning skate and suggested he shouldn't play
to Ray Shero and Michael Therrien. Crosby left after 20 minutes of practice
and did mention he felt some discomfort while playing on Sunday against
the Capitals. As a precaution Crosby sat out of tonight's game to rest
the ankle.
Despite the abscense of Sidney Crosby, The Pittsburgh
Penguins pulled off their highest scoring game of the season with 7-3
victory over The Buffalo Sabres.
This victory over The Buffalo Sabres gives The Pittsburgh
Penguins a total of 87 points this season putting them at the top of
the Atlantic Division by one point and tied with The Canadiens for first
in The Eastern Conference.
Evgeni Malkin managed to pull off his 39th goal of the
season. Penguins rookie Tyler Kennedy registered a goal and two assists.
Kris Letang, Petr Sykora and Sergei Gonchar each earned a goal and an
assist. Jeff Taffe and rookie Chris Minard had a goal each for the Penguins.
Rookie Chris Minard picked up his first NHL goal after
playing 10 regular season games this year. The goal came on an assist
from fellow rookie Ryan Stone. This was Ryan Stone's first NHL career
point.
Kris Letang, Petr Sykora and Sergei Gonchar each picked
up a goal and an assist for Pittsburgh, which improved its season point
total to 87, tied with idle Montreal for first in the East and one ahead
of idle New Jersey for first in the Atlantic Division.
Without doubt, The Pittsburgh Penguins are a powerful
team this season with or without Captain Sidney Crosby playing. However,
having Crosby in the line up makes the team even more exciting to watch.
The Penguins now have three days off before facing the Philadelphia
Flyers this Sunday March 16. This will give Sidney Crosby time to rest
his ankle and let it heal. There is a chance Crosby will be back playing
again for the game on Sunday.
Sidney Crosby Featured On Cover Of ESPN
The Magazine 10th Anniversary Issue
Wednesday March 12, 2008
The tenth anniversary issue of ESPN The Magazine hits
news stands today. Sidney Crosby is featured on the cover of the magazine.
The magazine staff selected 10 athletes who represented an aspect of
the magazine within the last 10 years.
As The Washington Capitals Hosted The
Pittsburgh Penguins Fans Watched Sidney Crosby's Improved Game While
Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin Battled For The League Scoring
Lead
Sunday March 9, 2008
In a Sunday afternoon hockey game Sidney Crosby played
a much improved game after being back from injury for only three games.
Meanwhile, points were picked up by Alexander Ovechkin (95 points -
2 today) who battled Evgeni Malkin (92 points - 3 today) for the NHL
scoring lead. Prior to today's game Malkin was 4 points behind Ovechkin
but after gaining ground he is now only 3 points behind. Jordan Staal
got the final and fourth goal of the game on an empty net with thirteen
seconds left in the third period. Just before that Sidney Crosby got
the game winner with only 28.3 seconds left. On the final of their three
road games, The Pittsburgh Penguins beat The Washington Capitals 4-2.
Washington's Niklas Backstrom helped out on Crosby's
game winning goal. When Hal Gil's shot was deflected, Crosby picked
it up and directed a shot on goal where Backstrom stood in the crease.
The Capitals' rookie helped knock the puck into his own net past goalie
Cristobal Huet.
As always the media hyped the Alexander Ovechkin vs Sidney
Crosby story, both started out as rookies during the 2005-06 season,
and are two of the best young stars in the league. However, Evgeni Malkin
is demonstrating he is another youngster to be rekened with. Ovechkin
currently with 54 goals this season may very well hit 60 goals by the
end of the season. No player has scored 60 goals or more since the 1995-96
NHL season when Mario Lemieux (69 goals) and Jaromir Jagr (62 goals)
hit the mark.
The Penguins will play their next game at home on Wednesday
March 12, 2008 against The Sabres. This will be Sidney Crosby's first
home game at Mellon Arena since coming back from his ankle injury.
In Sidney Crosby's Second Game Back From
Injury He Managed An Assist But The Panthers Beat The Penguins 5-2
And
Florida Panthers Trainer Dave Zenobi Who Took Quick Action When A Skate
Cut Richard Zdnick's Neck Was Honored Before The Game
Tuesday March 6, 2008
Sidney Crosby showed the world he is back
as Penguins fans rejoiced two days ago when The Penguins beat The Lightning.
That was the first of a 3 game road trip. The second took place tonight
in Florida and it wasn't pretty.
Early in the first period The Panthers leaped
to a 2-0 lead. The Penguins struggled for the rest of the game against
the Eastern Conference's thirteenth place team. In the end Sidney Crosby
pulled off an assist on Kristopher Letang's goal during the second period
but it was the last for Pittsburgh. The Panthers won 5-2.
Prior to the game a special ceremony took
place in honor of Panthers' trainer Dave Zenobi who litterally saved
Richard Zednick's life. In a game against Buffalo on February 10, 2008,
Panthers' winger Richard Zdnick had the carotid artery in his neck seriously
slashed by Olli Jokinen's skate. Thanks to quick action by trainer Dave
Zenobi, Zdnick's life was saved. Before the hockey game tonight The
Panthers honored Zenobi in a ceremony where he was presented the ADT
Good Sport Award.
After the award ceremony was over it was
"game on" as Sidney Crosby makes his second appearance. Althought
The Penguins lost the game, Penguins' fans are still overjoyed at the
return of number 87, Sidney Crosby.
Sidney Crosby Returns For First Time
Since Ankle Injury Creating Many Scoring Chances and Displaying His
Astounding Skill
To Take Down The Lightning 2-0
Tuesday March 4, 2008
Sidney Crosby played for the first time
in 21 games since injuring his ankle. Ironically his first game back
was against The Tampa Bay Lightning, the same team he faced the day
he injured himself. Crosby played a spectacular game. Earlier today
Crosby told reporters that he wanted to be sure when he returned he
would be able to play like he usually does. Creating many scoring chances
and awesome plays Crosby was unable to score or set up goals until late
in the game. Credit must be given to the excellent play of Tampa Bay
and their goalie Mike Smith who made many hard saves.
The first two periods of the game were scoreless
and Jordan Staal left during the first period with bruised ribs. In
the last few minutes of the third period Sidney Crosby faked out Tampa
Bays' Martin St. Louis, back handing the puck, which appeared to bounce
off of Tampa Bay players, in front of the net to Maxime Talbot who put
in the first goal of the game. Pasqual Dupuis along with Crosby was
credited with an assist on the play.
During the dying seconds of the game (5
secs), Mad Max Talbot lost or broke his stick and made a hand pass to
Evgeni Malkin. Malkin put the puck into the empty net scoring the second
goal of the game. Malkin (89 points) is now one point behind Ovechkin
in the league scoring race.
Marc Andre Fleury had a stellar game turning
away 35 shots and getting the shut out. He was named the fist star of
the game. Fleury has now won the last 5 games in a row he has played
in. This was Fleury's second start, and third time playing in a game,
since returning from the same high ankle sprain type injury Crosby suffered.
Mad Max Talbot was named the third star
of the game.
The Penguins battled hard to beat Tampa
Bay 2-0 keeping The Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference lead.
Finally, Sidney Crosby is Back!
Sidney Crosby Returns From Ankle Injury
Recovered And Playing Hockey Again
Crosby In The Line Up Against
The Tampa Bay Lightning
Tuesday March 4, 2008
It was announced today that Sidney Crosby has returned
and is recovered from the high ankle sprain that kept him out of action
for 21 games. With a healed ankle and confident he can play the spectacular
hockey he usually does, Sidney Crosby will be in the line up against
Tampa Bay tonight.
Ironically, Sidney Crosby injured his ankle while sliding
into the boards on January 18, 2008 while playing the Tampa Bay Lightning.
At that time Crosby was leading the NHL in points at 63. Crosby missed
21 games. Thanks to the spectacular play of The Penguins, especially
Evgeni Malkin, the team has managed to climb to the top of of the Eastern
Conference (currently tied for first with The Canadiens). The Penguins
record while playing without injured Sidney Crosby was 11-6-4. With
the return of Sidney Crosby, watching The Penguins record approaching
the playoffs will be interesting.
Injured defender Ryan Whitney (back problems) is also
expected to play tonight. It will be an exciting moment watching Marian
Hossa playing with Sidney Crosby on the ice for the fist time ever in
the near future. Hossa is expected to return soon from a knee injury
he suffered on February 28th, 2008 playing against The Boston Bruins.
The knee injury sidelined Hossa for about a week. Should the chemistry
be there between Hossa, Crosby, and the rest of team, then The Penguins
will become a serious threat challenging for The Stanley Cup.
The return of Sidney Crosby will no longer have to be
a guessing game for fans.
There was speculation that Crosby would return Saturday
to faceoff against The Washington Capitals and Alexander Ovechkin. Ovechkin
had an impressive 5 points last night in a game against The Boston Bruins,
where Washington clobbered them 10-2. This was enough for Ovechkin (90
points) to jump past February's NHL first star of the month, Evgeni
Malkin (88 points), for first overall in league scoring.
With The Washington Capitals idled tonight, Malkin could
tie or surpass Ovechkin for first in league scoring if he picks up two
points or more when The Pens face The Lightning. It would be nice to
see Malkin earn the points on a third career hat trick with Sidney Crosby
assisting on two of the goals. Sidney Crosby did just that on Evgeni
Malkin’s first two NHL career hat tricks. Evgeni Malkin's first
career hat trick was on January 3, 2008 against The Maple Leafs, and
the second was January 14, 2008 against The New York Rangers.
Whether or not Sidney Crosby would have returned on Saturday
facing rival Alexander Ovechkin, or to play against Tampa Bay, the team
he played when he originally injured his ankle, makes no difference
because both would have made exciting stories to add to Crosby's career
history. In this case, we will be telling the Crosby returns to action
against Tampa Bay story. Overall, this is one exciting day for the NHL
and fans around the world who have been waiting long enough for Sidney
Crosby's return to the lineup.
Evgeni Malkin Has Exploded And Has Been
Named The First Star Of The Month For February
And
After Skating Again
Sidney Crosby Returns
To Join The Penguins On The Road
Monday March 3, 2008
In the absence of injured Sidney Crosby (he missed the
last 21 games), young Russian superstar Evgeni Malkin has thrived for
the Penguins and was named the NHL first star for the month of February,
followed by Marty Turco second, and Tomas Vanek third. As of last nights
game Malkin leads the league with 88 points (37 goals and 51 assists),
3 ahead of Alexander Ovechkin, and 3 past his season total last year
when he was named Calder Rookie of The Year. This year Malkin unquestionably
is a top contender for the Art Ross trophy (awarded to the player for
leading the league in points) and the Heart Memorial Trophy (awarded
to the player judged as most valuable to his team based on a poll of
the Professional Hockey Writers' Association).
The Pittsburgh
Penguins official web site reported, "Malkin led all NHL scorers
in February with 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) in 14 games as the
Penguins posted an 8-3-3 record. Malkin recorded points in 11 of 14
games, including nine multiple-point performances. He recorded goals
in eight contests and notched a 10-game point streak from Feb. 2-21,
tallying 24 points (8-16--24) in that span."
The Penguins official website also reported that Sidney
Crosby will be heading out with The Penguins on a three game road
trip. Specifics about his return to the line up were not disclosed but
he participated in a complete optional morning skate at Mellon Arena
this morning. The report discusses how Sidney Crosby feels to be back
on the ice and traveling with The Penguins after having to stay home
and watch the games on T.V., and the loss of his close friend and former
roommate Colby Armstrong (Pittsburgh's 2001 first round draft pick).
Its quite obvious they will miss eachother a lot. The
Atlanta Journal Constitution quoted Colby Armstrong, AKA Army, as
saying, "I was shocked and saddened to leave my friends."
Sidney Crosby is heading out on the road for the first time without
Armstrong.
Fans Welcome Former Penguins Who Are
Now Thrashers With Cheers At Melon Arena As Pittsburgh Beats Atlanta
In The Shoot Out 3-2
Sunday March 2, 2008
Today Sidney Crosby's close friends and former team mates
faced The Penguins for the first time since they were traded to The
Atlanta Tharashers almost a week ago in the blockbuster Marian Hossa
trade deadline deal. Colby Armstrong, friend and former room mate of
Sidney Crosby, along with Erik Christensen donned Thrasher uniforms
at their former home Mellon Arena.
Despite playing for the enemy, fans at Mellon Arena showed
their appreaciation for what the pair had done while with the Penguins
with loud cheers during pregame introductions. Mark Recchi, playing
for Atlanta today, was let go by the Penguins in December when he was
picked up by The Thrashers. All three former Penguins found themselves
on the same line together for Atlanta during the game.
The Penguins quickly took the lead with a score of 2-0
only two minutes and nine seconds into the game. Ryan Malone got the
first goal assisted by Sergei Gonchar and Evgeni Malkin. Malkin's league
leading points now stand at 88. The second goal came from Maxime Talbot
assisted by Jarkko Ruutu and rookie Alex Goligoski. This was Goligoski's
third NHL game and second NHL career point, with the first coming in
yesterday's game against the Senators.
The Penguins failed to score again for the rest of regulation
while The Thrashers picked up one by Jim Slater toward the end of the
first period, and their second goal by Slava Kozlov just over a minute
into the second period. Neither the Penguins nor the Thrashers scored
during overtime.
During the shootout Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc Andre
Fleury, recently back from the same type of injury as Sidney Crosby,
was able to stop all shots he faced from former teammate Erik Christensen,
Eric Perrin and Ilya Kovalchuk. Rookie Kris Letang, beating goalie Kari
Lehtonen, was the only Penguin to score during the shootout to win the
hockey game. Letang has scored 5 of 8 career shootout attempts. This
was Letang's third time winning a game for The Pens by scoring in shootouts.
Its nice to see Marc Andre Fleury, who stoped 31 shots,
fully recovered from his high ankle sprain. Hopefully, Sidney Crosby
and Gary Roberts will be back soon. Marian Hossa is expected back sometime
this week after injuring his knee on Thursday night against The Boston
Bruins. This was Fleury's first start since his injury giving him 5
games won in a row when starting (Fleury did take over in yesterdays
game making it his first time playing since the injury but that wasn't
a start).
The Penguins are still uncertain when Sidney Crosby will
rejoin the team who have been 11-6-4 since he was out with the high
right ankle sprain.
The final score was Pittsburgh 3 - Atlanta 2.
This vicotry puts The Penguins one point ahead of The
New Jersey Devils to lead the Atlantic division and tied with The Montreal
Canadiens for first in the Eastern conference. They are lucky to have
won this game after blowing a 2 goal lead early in the game.
Evgeni Malkin Scores A Goal And Picks
Up Two Assists But The Pittsburgh Penguins Fall 5 - 4 To The Ottawa
Senators
Saturday March 1, 2008
Luck has not been on The Pittsburgh Penguins side the
last few days. Their newest member All Star Marian Hossa was injured
when The Pens played last and didn't even finish his first game as a
Penguin and is expected to be out a week. Yesterday while practicing
in Ottawa Ryan Whitney suffered a pulled groin and was unable to play
today against the Senators. Finally, The Pittsburgh Penguins suffered
their second loss in a row, this time to the Ottawa Senators. The final
score was 5-4.
Evgeni Malkin put on a stellar performace notching one
goal and two assists but it wasn't enough to win the game. Malkin was
named the second star of the game. Ryan Malone scored two goals and
Petr Sykora notched one.
Defensman Alex Goligoski, who was called up from the AHL,
played his first NHL game for the Penguins on February 13, 2008 against
the Boston Bruins but did not earn a point. Tonight was his second NHL
appearance and he managed to pull off his first point with an assist
on Ryan Malone's second period goal.
Alex Goligoski was called up along with forward Connor
James from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to replace for the injured Marian Hossa
and Ryan Whitney.
This was the final regular season game between Ottawa
and Pittsburgh.
The Penguins Injury Curse Targets Ryan
Whitney Only One Day After Striking Hossa
Saturday March 1, 2008
Today The Pittsburgh Penguins face the Ottawa Senators.
In order to prepare for the game in Ottawa The Penguins practiced at
The Scotiabank Place yesterday, just one day after losing newly acquired
Marian Hossa to a knee injury.
At practice The Penguins were struck once more by the
injury curse that has befallen them. This time Ryan Whitney suffered
a slight groin pull after a one hour practice session deeming him day-to-day.
Whitney is is expected to miss the game against The Senators. The other
injured Penguins include Sidney Crosby, Marian Hossa, Kris Beech, Adam
Hall, Gary Roberts, and Mark Eaton. The Penguins injury curse has been
busy this season.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has reported that Ty Conklin
will get the start in tonights game after his worst performance last
Thursday since joining The Penguins. Conklin's stellar play since joining
the team has earned him the trust and respect of his team and tonight
will be the perfect opportunity to redeem himself. With the playoffs
so close The Pens goalies must be ready to perform at superior levels.
This will be the first time The Penguins face the Senators,
followed by The Tharashers tomorrow, since Marian Hossa joined them.
Hossa played for both of those teams in the past but his injury will
prevent him from facing off against them for the first time as a Penguin.
The Penguins Injury Curse
Strikes Marian Hossa Early Preventing Him From Finishing His First Game
As A Penguin
Final Score
Boston Bruins 5
Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Thursday February 28, 2008
Five time All Star Marian Hossa, aquired by The Pittsburgh
Penguins at the NHL trade deadline, has joined the ranks of Sideny Crosby,
Gary Roberts, and Adam Hall as being struck by the Penguins injury curse.
The injury curse struk during the second period of tonights
game against the Boston Bruins when Marian Hossa and Glen Murray hit
knees as they collided. Hossa suffered sprained medial collateral ligament
in his right knee, he is expected to be out a week or two.
Sidney Crosby, originally expected to be out 6-8 weeks
with his ankle injury, has reached the 6 week mark and indicated he
is not ready to return. If Crosby manages to return by the end of the
original estimated recovery period, within the next two weeks, we could
possibly see him and Hossa return to play on the same night.
In tonights game the Boston Bruins dominated destroying
the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1. Pasquel Dupuis, aquired along with Hossa
at the trade deadline, was the only Penguins to score a goal happening
with 6:57 left in the game.
(Side note: Chris
from Taking One For The Team put together a post featureing deadline
traded players who have scored in their new team debuts mentioning Dupuis,
Armstrong, and with hopes of Hossa to be listed when he gets his first
full game in as a Penguin)
NHL point leader this season, Evgeni Malkin (84 points),
failed to register a point. This was the fourth game since Sidney Crosby
has been out that this has happend.
A win would have placed The Penguins in the top seed of
the Eastern Conference. The sell out crowd went wild during a third
period fight between Bruins left wing Milan Lucic and Penguins left
wing Jarkko Ruutu that lasted a lengthy 1:47.
Why did The Penguins fall to The Bruins? Perhaps the players
were not used to playing with new comers Hal Gil, Marian Hossa, and
Pascal Dupuis and some chemistry still needs to develope. Maybe it was
Coach Michel Therrien's frequent line change combinations that threw
the Pens off. Marc Andre Fleury took over in goal for the first time
since December, perhaps he was not up to speed yet. Whatever the reason
may be, this didn't look like a super charged hockey team that the Penguins
organization took a gamble with at the trade deadline in order to bring
home the Stanley Cup.
The talent on the Penguins team is now extremely deep,
when including injured players, and their combined offensive firepower
surely is the envey of The NHL. Assuming the injured players, especially
Sidney Crosby, Gary Roberts, and Marian Hossa return before the playoffs
to join the energized Malkin and company, then there is hope for a shot
at The Stanley Cup.
Little or no playoff experience for the younger players,
questionable defense, and the ability of their goaltenders to play at
peak performace could be their weak points. The Penguins only have a
few more weeks to get used to eachothers play and gel together. However,
it is obvious the owners of the team are going for The Cup. If breaking
away from the norm of playing defensively to play an offensive game
is their strategy. This may actually work.
Here is a video showing the play where Hossa injured his
knee as he collided with Glen Murray of the Bruins, it occurs about
13 seconds into the video just left of the centre of the "screen".
Depleted By The Hossa Deadline Trade
and Injured Sidney Crosby Among Others The Penguins Managed To Sink
The Islanders Despite Being Outshot 52-20
Tuesday February 26, 2008
"I haven't seen a goalie steal a game like that
this year."
Penguins defenseman Ryan Whitney.
In a game against the New York Islanders, Pittsburgh's
Ty Conklin made a career high 50 stops, helping the Penguins sink their
opponent to win the game despite lacking some of their best players.
Sidney Crosby, Gary Roberts, and Marc Andre Fleury are
still not playing due to injury. Superstar Marian Hossa, Hal Gil, and
Pasqual Dupuis have not joined the Pens since traded to the team earlier
during the day's trade deadline. Former Penguins, Colby Armstrong and
Erik Christensen, were sent away to Atlanta. Finally, two call ups from
the Wilkes-Barre AHL, James and Nathan Smith , didn't even show until
the second period of the game. Despite it all The Penguins beat The
Islanders 4-2.
Evgeni Malkin scored one of the first period goals plus
picked up an assist this game. Malkin is doing a spectacular offensive
job for the Penguins in Sidney Crosby's absence. However, when Sidney
Crosby returns being joined by Marian Hossa, The Penguins will surely
be one of the most lethal offensive teams in the league.
Gary Roberts and Sidney Crosby Skating
Tuesday February 26, 2008
Gary Roberts who broke his leg during a game on December
29, 2007 was skating along with Sidney Crosby. This is an encouraging
sign for the Pens. Roberts who began skating earlier this month is expected
to return in late March. Roberts is also dealing with a high ankle sprain
he suffered when he began skating earlier in the month. Reports have
team officials saying Roberts skate was considered "good"
at best. It appears Gary Roberts may not be a write off this season
after all.
The Penguins Pick Up The Trade Deadline's
Most Sought After Player Marian Hossa But Was The Price Too Steep?
Tuesday February 26, 2008
Its official The Pittsburgh Penguins, in a surprise last
minute deal, picked up center superstar Marian Hossa from the Atlanta
Thrashers along with speedy right winger Pasqual Dupuis. Mats Sudnin,
who would have been the most sought after player, refused to waive his
no trade clause with the Toronto Maple Leafs leaving the stage set for
Hossa to become the NHL's most wanted.
Not only did The Penguins pick up Hossa and Dupuis, but
they also acquired the enormus defender Hal Gil in a trade deal with
The Leafs. Gil tends to lack speed and puck handling skill but his ability
to kill penalties, position himself well, size and reach are an asset.
Assuming he plays better in Pittsburgh than in Toronto he may come in
handy on defense for the Penguins. This still remains to be seen.
Apparently, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager, Ray Shero,
told reporters, "We've always had a hard time finding that fit
for Sid, and I believe Marian is a guy who can think at that level,
skate at that level and, obviously, he can score goals and kill penalties
and raise everybody else's game."
So what did the Penguins have to give up at the trade
dealine to get the right player to fit Sidney Crosby?
For Hal The Goliath Gil, The Penguins gave The Leafs a
second and fifth round draft pick. For Marian Hossa and Pasqual Dupuis
the Penguins paid a steep price and took a risk sending talented forwards
Colby Armstrong (Sidney Crosby's close friend and roommate) and Erik
Christensen to The Thrashers. These were a couple of the players The
Penguins had been building their team around and fans adored. There
is more, The Penguins also gave up 2007 top prospect Angelo Esposito
and this year's first round draft pick.
The Penguins surely have the rest of the defenders in
league worried about a team that boasts stars like league point leader
Evgeni Malkin, superstar Sidney Crosby, and sniper Marian Hossa.
Obviously, The Penguins expect Sidney Crosby to return
and bulldoze along with the all new bulked up team to take over The
Stanley Cup. Only that would make this trade deal worth while. With
so little time left before the playoffs this is a huge risk that hopefully
pays off.
Sidney Crosby Undoubtly The Best Player
In The Leauge According To A Sports Illustrated Poll of NHL Players
Themselves
Monday February 25, 2008
Evgeni Malkin is lighting up The Penguins and is at the
top of the scoring race, at the same time media polls suggesting Alexander
Ovechkin is the top player in the league but Sidney Crosby gets the
vote for the top player to build a team around.
A Sports
Illustrated poll, featured in the February 25, 2008 issue, asked
365 NHL players, who couldn't pick a teammate, "If you were starting
a team, who'd be the first active player you'd pick to play on it?"
Sidney Crosby won with an overwhelming 39% with the second
place choices being Alexander Ovechkin and Roberto Luongo both with
14%.
Sharks Take A Bite Out Of Penguins Holding
Malkin Pointless And Winning The Game During The Shoot Out
Sunday February 24, 2008
Evgeni Malkin was held pointless for the second game in
a row remaining at a league high of 82 points (Ovechkin has tied that
today). Going into the shoot out the game was tied 1-1. Here is a summary
of the shoot out as reported on The Pittsburgh Penguins Official Web
Site,
"Roenick scored the game-winner as all three San
Jose skaters were successful in the shootout and Jonathan Cheechoo had
the Sharks' only goal in regulation, leading them to a 2-1 victory over
the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.
Penguins goalie Ty Conklin made 36 saves in regulation and overtime,
but couldn't stop Roenick, Cheechoo or Joe Pavelski on wrist shots during
the shootout. Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov allowed Eric Christensen
and Jarkko Ruutu to score in the shootout, but stopped Kris Letang."
The Penguins sure could of used Sidney Crosby's help during the last
few games against formidable contenders for the Cup.
The Penguins Dominate First Half of Game
With A 3-0 Lead Only To Blow It Giving
The Senators The Win In Overtime
Ottawa Senators 4
Pittsburgh Penguins 3
Saturday February 23, 2008
By midway of the second period The Pittsburgh
Penguins had played a dominating game with fabulous forechecking and
hustling to loose pucks. Other than the ouststanding play of Senators'
goalie Ray Emery, The Sens looked like a bunch of lifeless bums. Perhaps
The Sens were suffering from low self esteem after losing their last
five games in a row. Take that into consideration and the comfortable
lead The Penguins took on home ice at Mellon Arena The Penguins played
with a little less effort and care. Their aggressive forecheck dwindled
and scoring opportunities were missed when fancy passes were attempted
instead of shooting the puck on net. Then The Senators made a bitter
comeback to win the game 4-3 in overtime.
Evgeni Malkins ten game winning steak came
to an end. During the second period Malkin, frustrated after missing
3 scoring chances, broke his stick. In the end Danielle Alfredson scored
the winning goal with just 3.2 seconds left in overtime.
Evgeni Malkin Continues To Lead The Penguins
To Victory Even In The Absense of Sidney Crosby
Tonight's Score Pens 5 Habs 4
Thursday February 21, 2008
Evgeni Malkin notched his 35th goal of the season and
picked up two assists in a 5 to 4 victory over The Canadiens. This extends
Evgeni Malkin's game-point streak to ten games. Sergi Gonchar earned
his 600th career point during this game. The Montreal Canadiens were
Sidney Crosby's favorite team when he was growing up. Crosby did not
travel with The Penguins to Montreal for this game.
So who do you think is a better player
Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin?
See what they are saying about this over at The
Sidney Crosby Show.
The Sidney Crosby Show also has a great game
recap of The Penguins vs The Canadiens.
Sidney Crosby Given Practice Off Today
To Rest Injured Ankle
Wednesday February 20, 2008
Sidney Crosby has been taking part in team practices,
despite an injured ankle, for almost two weeks now. Today coaching and
training staff gave him the day off to rest the ankle. Sidney Crosby
has taken part in full contact practices with The Penguins causing speculation
that he will return playing games sooner than expected. However, The
Penguins have insisted his rehabilitation will take as long as expected,
6-8 weeks.
Ryan Malone Rallies The Penguins Out
Of A Two Point Deficit And Evgeni Malkin Takes The League Scoring Lead
Surpassing Alexander Ovechkin In A 3-2 Victory Over The Florida Panthers
Tuesday February 19, 2008
Sidney Crosby must be smiling tonight after watching his
team beat The Florida Panthers, tying The New Jersey Devils for first
place in the Atlantic Divsion. Not only that Crosby can rest easy knowing
Malkin, who is replacing him at center, is playing like a young hockey
phenom just like Crosby would have done if he was healthy and playing.
This was an exciting victory of the Pens as Ryan Malone's
two goals pulled the team out of a two goal deficit, with the game winner
coming with just 23 seconds left. The Penguins tie for first place in
the Atlantic Division and Evgeni Malkin (79 points), with two assists,
surpassed Alexander Ovechkin (78 points) as the NHL scoring leader.
Although Evgeni Malkin's five game goal streak came to an end tonight,
he now holds a a nine game point streak.
The Penguins have an imporved 8-4-2 record since Crosby
has been out with an ankle injury.
Who Needs Sidney Crosby When The Penguins
Continue To Win Without Him Including A 4-1 Victory Over The Buffalo
Sabres Today
Sunday February 17, 2008
Despite a slow start and being outshot 23-8 half way through
the second period, The Pittsburgh Penguins managed to find themselves
ahead 2-0 by this point of the game against The Buffalo Sabres. Much
of the credit should go to goalie Ty Conklin's phenominal play. Evgeni
Malkin earned another multi-point game with a goal and an assist. In
the end the Pens beat The Sabres 4-1.
So with The Penguins playing so well, who needs Sidney
Crosby? Thats the question the Canadian Press posed to Petr Sykora who
replied, "Oh, come on, how can you even say that? I'm not even
going to answer that because Sidney's the best hockey player in the
world. And he's going to be the key guy for us in the playoffs."
Yes indeed the playoffs will be a time The Penguins will become one
of the biggest threats to other teams battling it out for The Stanley
Cup.
Sidney Crosby Takes Part In Full Contact
Practice And May Be Back Playing Sooner Than Later
Saturday February 16, 2008
Last week, Friday February 8, Sidney Crosby began practicing
with his team but contact was totally off limits as indicated by the
bright yellow jersey he wore. This morning, for the first time since
his high ankle injury, Sidney Crosby participated in a full contact
practice wearing the regular black jersey. According to a post on the
Rotowire
website, KDKA-TV2 in Pittsburgh stated that, "The team insists
that Crosby won't return for at least another two weeks, but even that
would put his total absence at just six weeks. It wouldn't be surprising
to see him return sooner than that."
Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh
Post Gazette reported that Crosby skated hard by himself on Friday
and this morning took part in all the same drills as the rest of the
team.
Finally, Jodie over at The
Sidney Crosby Show received some great photos of Crosby practicing.
The pictures were sent in by one of her blog readers.
The Penguins Lose 4-2 To The Hurricanes
Bringing Their Record To 6-4-2 Since Sidney Crosby Has Been Out
And
Evgeni Malkin Moves To The Top Of The Points Race Only Behind Alexander
Ovechkin
Thursday February 14, 2008
This Valentines' day it is fair to say that Evgeni Malkin
has become the heart of The Pittsburgh Penguins ever since their true
sweetheart, Sidney Crosby, has been away. Evgeni Malkin managed to pull
of his 33rd goal of the season unassisted during the second period making
it 2-1 giving The Pens their only lead in the game. This was Malkin's
fifth goal in his last four games, with a total of 10 goals and 13 assists
in the last twelve games or since Sidney Crosby has been out with an
ankle sprain. Evgeni Malkin now has a total of 76 points this season
launching him to the top of the scoring race, trailing only behind Alexander
Ovechkin (79 points) by three points.
The Penguins put in a solid effort and played a great
game. Brooks Orpik scored his first goal in 181 games. According to
The
Pittsburgh Tribune Review, "when Penguins defenseman Brooks
Orpik had last scored a goal, Sidney Crosby had nine career points,
Jordan Staal was playing junior hockey, Evgeni Malkin was still in Magnitogorsk,
and Mario Lemieux was a minus-1."
Cam Ward stopped 20 of the 22 shots he faced for Carolina,
while Dany Sabourin's outstanding goaltending only allowed one even
strength goal out of the 46 shots he faced.
In the end Carolina beat Pittsburgh 4-2. The Penguins
have played the last twelve games with Captain Sidney Crosby out of
the lineup with an ankle sprain and their record since then stands at
6 wins, 4 losses, and 2 overtime losses. According to The
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, "The Penguins (32-21-5) have lost
consecutive games in regulation for the first time since Dec. 11-13,
although they remain first in the Atlantic Division and second in the
Eastern Conference."
The Penguins Fall To The Boston Bruins
Their Record Now Stands At 6-3-2 Since Sidney Crosby Has Be Out
But Malkin Manages A Goal
To Extend His Point Streak To Six Games
Wednesday February 13, 2008
After winning and playing their last three games at home,
The Penguins lost the forth one in a row to The Boston Bruins 2-1. Boston
managed two goals during the first period, while The Penguins played
extremely poor. During the rest of the game Boston played a superior
defensive game almost shutting out the Pens. After many chances Evgeni
Malkin managed a goal on the power play during the third period extending
his point streak to 6 games. Malkin has notched an impressive 16 points
over this six game point streak.
Since the 11 games Sidney Crosby has been out The Penguins
are 6-3-2 and Malkin has 22 points with 9 goals and 13 assists.
Alex Goligoski was called up from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
to make his NHL debut. The Penguins newest rookie played well but failed
to notch a point.
Even Without Sidney Crosby The Penguins
Manage To Beat The Talented Flyers For The First Time This Season With
A Little Help From Evgeni Malkin's Four Point Game
Finally The Battle Of Pennsylvania is Worth Watching
Sunday February 10, 2008
Tonight The Pittsburgh Penguins were victorious against
The Philadelphia Flyers 4-3. Evgeni Malkin earned four points with a
goal and three assists, making this his fifth consectutive multi-point
game. With Sidney Crosby nursing his ankle injury, Evgeni Malkin seems
to be the hottest player in the NHL right now. In fact, here is what
R.J. Umberger from the rival Philadelphia Flyers had to say as reported
by The
National Post, "he's the hottest guy in the NHL right now.
You've got to stay on top of him and shut him down, and we didn't do
that today." Umberger has 7 of his 11 goals this season against
The Penguins. USA
Today also reported Umberger as saying, "They are playing really
good with Crosby out of the lineup, it's a little surprising."
There has always been a rivalry between Pittsburgh and
Philadelphia, better known as "The Battle of Pennsylvania".
Last season, 2006-07, The Penguins smoked The Flyers beating them in
all eight games they played. Prior to this the Flyers have largely dominated
The Penguins since they both enterend the NHL. These teams have faced
eachother three times during the playoffs with Philadelphia winning
each time. This season "The Battle of Pennsylvania" has become
intense and obviously the best in the NHL. In fact, The Flyers have
faced the Penguins five times and this is only the first time Pittsburgh
has won. Finally, both teams have put together phenominal teams, of
equal talent, at the same time to make this a rivalry worth watching.
With Malkin's peaking performances and Sidney Crosby scheduled
to return by the end of the regular season, The Flyers may have something
to worry about this time if they face them during the playoffs.
Sidney Crosby Skates At Team Practice
For The First Time Since His High Ankle Injury
Friday February 8, 2008
While The Penguins are carrying themselves rather well
by pulling off wins in the absence of Captain Sidney Crosby, his return
sooner than later would be greatly welcomed by everyone, except his
opponents of course. While it has been estimated that Sidney Crosby
will be out of the line up for six to eight weeks, he has officially
began skating and participating in team practices as of today.
During the practice Sidney Crosby wore a yellow jersey
to indicate contact with him was off limits. While Crosby skated, took
shots, worked on quick starts and sharp turns, he appears to be more
focused on keeping well conditioned so he can return to play immediately
after being cleared by doctors. CBC
Sports reported that, "Crosby said he is hoping that by working
on his conditioning while his ankle heals, he can play immediately after
he is cleared by doctors."
While fans are sure to be excited and hope Sid will return
to play soon there hasn’t been any official news on the topic.
It appears that Sidney Crosby is healing rather well but considering
a high ankle injury usually takes quite some time to heal fans should
be happy he is progressing. Besides the Pittsburgh Penguins are a talented
bunch of players who are keeping their club respectable in the absence
of their Captain. As they say in the auto industry, “hope for
the best but prepare for the worst.” Best case scenario Sidney
Crosby returns to play hockey very soon, or worst case he will be back
in six to eight weeks.
CBC
Sports also quoted Sidney Crosby as saying, "I'm probably going
to reevaluate it in about a week or two weeks and see where I am. It's
going to take a while. I'm not ready to play ... Wishful thinking would
be a couple of more weeks, but I really don't know."
Sidney Crosby Game Worn Captain Jersey
With Tenth Anniversary Hockey Fights Cancer Patch Brings In $15,207
At Charity Auction
Wednesday February 06, 2008
The annual Hockey Fights Cancer charity auction for 2008
featured 30 game worn NHL team captain jerseys with the number 87 Sidney
Crosby jersey bringing in a hefty $15,207.
Sidney Crosby Skates Again For The First
Time Since His High Ankle Injury
Wednesday February 06, 2008
According to Shelly
Anderson of The Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Sidney Crosby has been
seen skating at Melon Arena, while the rest of The Penguins were on
the road, earlier this week. Today Crosby was skating before team practice
but did not partake in training. Speculation has begun that he may return
earlier. However, Anderson known for her close relationship with the
Penguins, would be a more reliable source. She has stated “There
is no indication that the timetable for his return has changed. Crosby,
out with a high ankle sprain, is expected back in March”. In a
follow
up report Anderson stated, " team officials said yesterday
that is a normal part of (Sidney Crosby's) rehabilitation from a high
ankle sprain and not an indication his recovery is ahead of schedule."
An estimated total time of 6-8 weeks for Sidney Crosby's
ankle sprain to heal means he would return early to mid March. That
would leave 3 to 5 weeks of the 2007-08 NHL schedule for Sidney Crosby
to play hockey in. The Penguins final regular season game, before the
playoffs, will be against The Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday April 6,
2008.
Gary Roberts who has been out of action for the Penguins
since December 29, 2007, with a broken leg, was also skating with Crosby
prior to their teams' practice.
Evgeni Malkin Ties Sidney Crosby For
The Penguins Team High Of 63 Points
Monday February 04, 2008
In a game against The New Jersey Devils, Evgeni Malkin
notched two assists to tie Sidney Crosby for the team lead in points
this season. With Crosby out on injured reserve, Malkin will soon surpass
him.
The Penguins led the game 3-1 early in the third period
when Jordan Staal scored on the power-play but the Devils managed to
rally back tying the game 3-3 by the end of the period. The Penguins
lost in overtime when The Devils' Zach Parise scored just 37 seconds
in for a 4-3 loss to New Jersey.
Ironically, Penguins forward Petr Sykor played his first
six seasons with The Devils. Sykora's first NHL goal came in a game
against Pittsburgh. During tonights game, Sykora notched his 600th career
point, this time as a Penguin playing against his former New Jersey
team. Sykora's first 300 NHL points came when he played for The Devils.
Petr Sykora's 600th career point came with his 17th goal of the 2007-08
NHL season.
The Pittsburgh Penguins team record has suffered since
Sidney Crosby injured his ankle and now stands at 3-2-2.
Evgeni Malkin Carries Penguins Well In
Sidney Crosby's Abscense With A Goal and Two Assists In A 4-1 Victory
Over The Carolina Hurricanes
Saturday February 2, 2008
Sergi Samsonov scored the first goal of the game during
the first period for the Carolina Hurricanes and this was good enough
for them to lead the first two periods. During the third period The
Penguins turned up the heat and scored four goals. One of the goals
came from Evgeni Malkin who also set up two of the other goals during
the third period. Obviously, The Penguins are carrying themselves well
without captain Sidney Crosby with Evgeni Malkin deserving the bulk
of the credit. However, the rest of the Penguins are no sluches and
deserve much credit as well.
The NHL.com game recap reported, "nobody in their
locker room is saying the Penguins don't miss Crosby, just as no one
would have said they didn't miss Mario Lemieux during his many injury
absences. Still, not many teams have a center as good as Malkin to lead
their top line when their biggest star is out."
Sidney Crosby was watching the game. According to The
Sidney
Crosby Show, "Early in the second, FSN Pittsburgh showed our
man Sidney sitting with the man Mario way above the crowd in Mario's
luxury box. One man was drinking water, the other wine. (I'll let you
match the beverage to the consumer.)"
Evgeni Malkin Makes His All Star Game
Debut With 2 Points Playing As A Replacement For Sidney Crosby
Sunday January 27, 2008
Sidney Crosby, the league vote getter to start in the
All-Star Game, missed the game due to his ankle injury and was replaced
by team mate Evgeni Malkin. While Malkin deservedly earned the right
to replace Crosby, some would argue Malkin should of played regardless.
After all, Malkin is extremely talented with quick speed, excellent
puckhandling, and a great shot. He has also been playing some of his
best hockey trying to pick up the slack with Sidney Crosby gone.
Why a player of Malkin's caliber was overlooked for the
All-Star Game in the first place is quite perplexing. Then on January
12, Malkin was overlooked again as a replacement for Dany Heatly who
will miss the game due to injury.
Evgeni Malkin went on a rampage only a couple of hours
following the announcement that Boston's Marc Savard would replace Heatly
during a game against The New York Rangers. The Pittsburgh
Post Gazette reported, "Evgeni Malkin recorded his second hat
trick in six games and threw perhaps the most crushing hit of his NHL
career, burying Rangers defenseman Michal Rozsival with a shoulder to
the chest midway through the first period, in the Penguins' 4-1 victory
against New York at Mellon Arena".
Ultimately, Malkin did play as a replacement for Sidney
Crosby, making " his All-Star debut with a pair of assists on first-period
goals by Eric Staal and Buffalo's Brian Campbell". The previous
quote was taken from an excellent overview ofthe 2008 NHL All Star Game
at ThePittsburghChannel.com.
A more detailed news article was written by The
Associated Press.
The East beat the West 8-7. This video shows the
2008 NHL All-Star Game highlights.
Malkin Gets A Goal For 16 Over The Last
16 Games And Georges Laraque Gets Ejected With A Major Penalty In A
Pittsburgh Penguins Loss
Final Score: Flyers 4 Penguins 3
Thursday January 24, 2008
The Pittsburgh Penguins played once more without captain
Sidney Crosby and lost 4-3 against the Philadelphia Flyers. Evgeni Malkin
notched a goal this game and has scored 16 goals over the last 16 games.
Georges Laraque was ejected from the game with a major penalty when
he hit Steve Downie from behind at the end of the second period. The
Following is taken from an excellent game recap posted at the NHLPens.com
website...
"With 3 seconds left in the period, Georges Laraque was given
a major penalty and a game misconduct for hitting Steve Downie from
behind into the boards. Downie went head first into the boards and lay
motionless for a few moments, but was able to leave the ice under his
own power. He subsequently rejoined the game. While the hit from behind
was a penalty, it did not appear to be an intent to injure by Laraque."
Sidney Crosby Talks About His Ankle Injury
At Melon Arena With Reporters During A Press Conference
Tuesday January 22, 2008
Sidney Crosby discusses his hi ankle injury in this video.
Prognosis of Sidney Crosby's Injury Says
He Won't Play Hockey For 6 to 8 weeks
Missing The All Star Game
And
Evgeni Malkin Was Chosen As A Replacement For Sidney Crosby At The All
Star Game
Tuesday January 22, 2008
Today the Penguins doctor was able to get a better look
at Sidney Crosby's injured right high ankle sprain. It was announced
he will miss 6-8 weeks. Crosby says waiting to heal may be the most
difficult mental task he has faced so far in the NHL. The
Pittsburgh Penguins official web site quoted Crosby as saying, "This
is probably something that’s tougher mentally than anything I
have probably had to deal with. I don’t think you want to get
caught looking at a date and then you get to that date and you’re
not ready to go."
Meanwhile it was announced today that Evgeni Malkin will
replace center Sidney Crosby for the Eastern Conference at the 2008
All Star Game in Atlanta. The 2006-07 NHL Rookie of the Year, Evgeni
Malkin, was quoted on the CBC
web site as saying, " It is unfortunate that Sidney will not
be able to participate. However, I look forward to playing in the game
and representing the Penguins organization."
With Sidney Crosby Out Of The Line Up
Tonight's Game Put Russian Against Russian As Evgeni Malkin And The
Penguins Took On Alexander Ovechkin And The Washington Capitals
Monday January 21, 2008
The rivalry between Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby
had to be put on hold tonight as the Capitals played The Penguins at
The Melon Arena minus an injured Sidney Crosby. The media has been hyping
The Penguins other young superstar Evgeni Malkin as the one to step
up and take on a larger role. With that said, it was russian vs russian,
countryman vs countryman, Ovechkin vs Malkin in a high scoring game
ending in a shootout victory for the Washington Capitals with a score
of 6-5.
While injured Sidney Crosby watched the game, Evgeni Malkin
took over Crosby's center position and managed to pull off two goals
and an assist. The other Russian superstar hockey player, Alexander
Ovechkin, managed an assist and two goals during regulation time and
scored the first of two shootout goals for The Capitals.
Alexander Ovechkin was named the first star of the game
and Evgeni Malkin was the second. Ovechkin now leads the league in goals
this season with 38.
This was one of the best hockey games this season and
can you believe Sidney Crosby wasn't even in it?
Malkin and Ovechkin were team mates on the Russian Olympic
team but Malkin showed no mercy when he checked Ovechkin hard towards
the end of the first period. Alexander wasn't very happy as you can
tell when he shoves Malkin in the video below.
Sidney Crosby Placed On Injured Reserve
List With High Right Ankle Sprain Injury
Monday January 21, 2008
Sidney Crosby, who suffered an ankle sprain last Friday
as he awkwardly slid into the boards feet first after being pulled down
by Tampa Bay's Paul Ranger, has been placed on the injured reserve list.
When a player is placed on injured reserve they must miss at least 7
days of play. This guarantees Sidney Crosby will miss the 2008 NHL All
Star Game to be held in Atlanta. Pittsburgh Penguins team doctors were
again unable to evaluate Crosby's ankle injury due to swelling today.
They plan to do a thorough examination tomorrow. Normally, a high ankle
sprain puts a hockey player out of action for a month or more.
The Penguins also put forward Adam Hall on Injured reserve
with a pulled groin. They also sent defenseman Ryan Lannon down to the
AHL after not playing with the Penguins during his two week stint. By
sending Lannon back to the AHL and with two players on injured reserve,
Sidney Crosby and Adam Hall, The Penguins are free to call up three
players from the AHL. They quickly called up forwards Chris Minard,
Tim Brent and Jonathan Filewich from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
By the end of the night that Sidney Crosby was injured,
while playing Tampa Bay, he was in a four way tie for the league lead
in points with Ilya Kovalchuk, Jarmoe Iginla, and Vince Lecavalier.
However, one night later in a game between Tampa Bay and The Senators,
Vincent Lecavalier scored a goal putting one point ahead of Crosby,
Kovalchuk, and Iginla.
Here is a video clip showing how Sidney Crosby's ankle
injury happend...
The Penguins Play First Hockey Game Without
Injured Captain Sidney Crosby Beating The Canadiens 2-0
Saturday January 19, 2008
The Montreal Canadiens were Sidney Crosby's favorite team
during his youth but tonight he did not join his team on the road to
play them. Sidney Crosby suffered a high right ankle sprain yesterday
during the first period of a home game against Tampa Bay. Sidney Crosby
remained in Pittsburgh to be reevaluated by the teams medical staff.
Since his high right ankle sprain remains swollen they will not be able
to determine Crosby's prognosis just yet.
In The Penguins first hockey game without Sidney Crosby they were successful
in winning 2-0 against The Montreal Canadiens. Georges Laraque set up
Jeff Taffe for the first goal of the game during first period. Evgeni
Malkin scored the second goal on the empty net with just 12.3 seconds
left in the game. Dany Sabourin earned his second shutout and played
in goal for the first time since December 21, 2007.
The Penguins must keep up their winning ways in order to make it into
the playoffs and to prove they are still a contending team without Sidney
Crosby. The NHL web site game
recap reported Penguins defender Ryan Whitney as saying, "You lose
the best player in the league, you've still got to be able to go out
and win games and we're going to have to do it for a month, who knows,
and we've got to stay in the playoff race. We want to get as high a
seed as we can and tonight is the first step in proving that we're a
good hockey team without him."
This is the fifth NHL game Sidney Crosby has missed during his Penguins
and NHL career. The first four games without him were all losses, 2
regulation, 1 shootout, and 1 overtime. During their fifth game without
Crosby, which was against The Canadiens, the Pens managed to pull off
a win.
Hopefully, this Crosbyless win against Montreal is a trend that will
continue for the Penguins. Evegeni Malkin, The Penguins other young
superstar, has stepped into Crosby's center position and should feel
some extra pressure on himself to help carry the team to success. Malkin
played wing with Crosby at center and they made a dynamite combination.
With Crosby out Malkin has moved to his natural position of center.
Penguins Lose Captain Sidney Crosby Indefinitely
To High Right Ankle Injury In A 3-0 Loss To The Lightning
Friday January 18, 2008
Sidney Crosby left tonight's hockey game against The Tampa
Bay Lightning during the first period with a high right ankle sprain.
This is a serious injury that has plagued Pens goalie Marc-Andre Fleury
for the past six weeks. Sidney Crosby will be evaluated by team doctors
tomorrow but its not likely he will play any time soon. Crosby who led
the All Star Game voting for starters will most likely miss the All
Star Game too.
A high ankle injury usually sidelines hockey players for
a month or longer. The injury occured as Sidney Crosby was shooting
the puck while rushing The Lightnings' net. Tampa Bay defender Paul
Ranger hit Sidney Crosby with a slash of his stick, knocking The Penguins
captain down. Crosby, the trooper that he is, attempted to shoot the
puck again as he slid and awakwardly rammed his feet into the boards
ultimately injuring his right ankle with the high sprain.
Like Sidney Crosby and Marc Andre Fleury, Maxime Talbot
missed a month with the same high ankle sprain. When asked to Comment
on Sidney Crosby's ankle injury, The
Pittsburgh Tribune Review quoted Talbot as saying, "He can
expect frustration, some days you wake up and it feels good, others
it hurts. It is a bad injury because you can do as much rehab as you
want, but you just have to wait."
This will be the first extended period of time since joining
the NHL that Sidney Crosby will miss games. He missed one game during
his rookie season on Thursday February 2, 2006 when Pittsburgh lost
7-2 to the Senators. Sidney Crosby also missed 3 games in November of
2006 during the 2006-07 NHL season with a groin injury. The Penguins
were unable to win a game without Crosby during that time. In fact,
The Penguins suffered two regulation losses, on overtime loss, and one
shootout loss.
Fans got to see what the Penguins play like without the
heart and captain of their team for two and half periods and it wasn't
pretty. The Penguins ended up losing 3-0 to the Tampa Bay Lightning,
one of the worst teams in the current NHL standings. The Penguins were
unable to put up as much offense without their captain and were outshot
by Tampa Bay. The Penguins did manage to create several scoring chances
but were shut out by Holmqvist, Tampa's goalie.
Hopefully, the rest of the Penguins can keep the team
winning with some extra effort. In fact, The
NHL website game recap reported that Vincent Lecavailer said, "Sid
is a big part of that team, for them to win, someone else is going to
have to lead, and I think (Evgeni) Malkin is going to have to do that."
Currently, Vincent Lecavailer and Ilya Kovalchuk are tied
with Sidney Crosby for NHL points this season at 63. None of these three
players, who all played tonight, managed to score a point. However,
Calgary Flames captain Jerome Iginla earned a point on an assist in
a 6-1 Flames victory over the Kings, bringing his total from 62 to 63.
Iginal has joined Crosby, Lecavalier, and Kovalchuk as the league point
leaders. Unfortunately, Sidney Crosby will most likely be out for a
prolonged period and will be surpassed in points.
This hockey game was the first regulation time loss for
Penguins goalie Ty Conklin since he joined the team. His only other
loss was during a shootout. If Conklin can keep up his phenominal play
and the rest of the Penguins pick up the slack they may be able to keep
on track to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Jodie over at The
Sidney Crosby Show always thinks positive and gives Penguins fans
hope that the team can make it through without the best player in the
leauge. Here is what she had to say...
"Okay, so this is DEFINITELY a setback for the Penguins
(losing the best player in the league is never a good thing) but at
least we can still rely on our other superstar, Evgeni Malkin, to keep
doing what he does best (score goals). We also have Max Talbot back,
Ryan Malone was a beast until his leg infection - perhaps he'll find
his game again and step it up, Jordan Staal seems like he is always
thisclose to scoring and that kid has been huge on the penalty kill,
Tyler Kennedy is a feisty player who can score goals and deliver big
hits, and Petr Sykora has that wicked release. The situation is far
from ideal, but if the other players turn it up a notch and play a little
harder in the absence of their captain (which I suspect most of them
will), the Penguins will be able to get through it."
Lets hope Sidney Crosby heals quickly from this high ankle
sprain and will rejoin his team on their way to the playoffs.
Sidney Crosby 2008 Winter Classic Authentic
Memorabilia Up For Auction Including
Sindey Crosby Game Worn Jersey
Sidney Crosby Pant Shell
Sidney Crosby Shootout Game Puck
Wednesday January 16, 2008
Some of the 2008 NHL Winter Classic Memorabilia is being
offered for auction with proceeds going to charity. Its no big surprise
that the highest bids can be found on Sidney Crosby memorabilia. In
particular the Sidney Crosby authentic second period game worn jersey
has been bid up to $25880.00 as of today with the auction ending tomorrow
January 17, 2008 at 9:08pm EST.
(Updated February 6, 2008: The final price
on the Sidney Crosby Winter Classic Game Worn Authentic Hockey Jersey
was an astounding US$45,000.)
According to the NHL website, "The National Hockey
League’s first regular-season outdoor game on United States soil
was a classic, the AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic. The MeiGray Group
Game-Worn Jersey Authentication Program is proud to offer fans and collectors
across the globe the opportunity to own a piece of history … the
actual jersey worn by #87 Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins during
the second period of this historic event."
Also up for auction are the 2008 Winter Classic Sidney
Crosby game worn pants shell currently bid up to $2020.00 and the Sidney
Crosby shootout victory puck is currently at $5005.00.
This is taken directly from the NHL Auction web site's
description of the puck:
"...the actual puck used by Sidney Crosby of
the Pittsburgh Penguins to score the game-winning goal in a shootout
during the 2008 NHL Winter Classic. One thrilling shootout. One storybook
finish. One historic puck. This is the actual puck, the only puck, used
throughout the shootout that decided the AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic,
in front of the largest crowd in NHL history, 71,217. Pittsburgh Penguins
center Sidney Crosby fired this puck between Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan
Miller’s pads for the winning goal in the Penguins’ 2-1
shootout victory over the Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium. All six shootout
attempts were taken with this puck:
Ales Kotalik snapped a wrist shot past goalie Ty Conklin,
giving the Sabres a 1-0 shootout lead.
Erik Christensen fired a wrist shot wide of Miller’s net.
Tim Connolly was stopped by Conklin.
Kris Letang slipped a backhander past Miller, tying the shootout 1-1.
Maxim Afinogenov’s backhander was stopped by Conklin.
Crosby snapped a wrist shot behind Miller, giving the Penguins the 2-1
shootout victory."
These historic Sidney Crosby 2008 Winter Classic Game
Used Memorabilia can been viewed at the NHL
Auctions web site.
Sidney Crosby Assisted Evengi Malkin
For The First Two Goals Early During The First Period Forewarning The
Coming Of Malkin's Second Career Hat Trick In A 4-1 Penguins Victory
Over The Rangers
Monday January 14, 2008
Sidney Crosby earned assists on two of Evgeni Malkin’s
first NHL career hat trick goals only eleven days ago in a 6-2 slaughter
of The Toronto Maple Leafs on January 3, 2008. Evgeni Malkin notched
a second career hat trick tonight in a 4-1 victory over the New York
Rangers. Again Sidney Crosby assisted on two of Malkin’s hat trick
goals. In fact, Crosby assisted Malkin on the first two goals only 6:33
into the first period. Sergei Gonchar got the third goal of the game
during the first period making the hockey game 3-0.
Jaromir Jagr was the only Ranger to score a goal which
came just over nine minutes into the third period. Throughout the game
Malkin attempted to notch his third goal of the game for the hat trick.
Despite several chances Malkin was unable to succeed until the very
end of the game. With just over twenty seconds left in the hockey game
Evgeni Malkin scored on an empty net giving him his second NHL career
hat trick on home ice at The Mellon Arena.
Sidney Crosby is leading all hockey players in assists
for the 2007-08 NHL Season with 43. Sidney Crosby was named the third
star of the game, while Malkin was first and Conklin was second.
Interesting Hat Trick Story
The Toronto CityNews report at 11pm caught my attention
when sports reporter Kathryn Humphrey, metorologist Michael Kuss, and
co-anchor Mark Dailey began discussing hat tricks after the story of
Evgeni Malkin’s hat trick tonight.
Personally I have always wondered what happened with all
the hats thrown onto to the ice after a hat trick. So when Michael asked
Kathryn what happens to all of the hats I was eager to hear the answer.
She wasn’t sure but ended up commenting that in Toronto the Maple
Leafs wouldn’t know that’s for sure. I got a good chuckle
out of that one.
A few minutes later she reported that in Buffalo they
are donated to Good Will and in Toronto they are sold or auctioned off
for charity or something similar. Then Mark Dailey reported that in
the 1940’s a Toronto hat salesman, Sammy Taft, actually gave free
hats to any Toronto Maple Leaf player who scored three goals in a game
which looks like the start of a tradition in hockey.
The tradition evolved further as described in a report
written by John Marshall from NEXTnc.com
that states: “The idea of tossing hats to the ice is generally
credited to the Biltmore Hat Company, which sponsored the Guelph Biltmore
Mad Hatters of the Ontario Hockey League in the 1950s. The Guelph, Ontario-based
company encouraged fans to flip their lids whenever someone from the
home team scored three goals, a move that obviously was meant to drum
up more business.”
Win An Autographed
Sidney Crosby Jersey and Hockey Stick
Sidney Crosby Reveals His Fitness Regimen And Is Featured On The February
2008 Cover of Men’s Fitness
Monday January 14, 2008
Sidney Crosby is featured on the February 2008 cover of
Men’s Fitness Magazine. In this issue Sidney Crosby discusses
his goals, aspirations, and fitness regimen that forms the foundation
of his success.
An excellent write up on Sidney
Crosby’s appearance on Men’s Fitness was done by Joe
Sager on the Pittsburgh Penguins website. In this article Men’s
Fitness Editor-In-Chief, Roy Johnson said:
“Fitness is beyond looking good – it’s
about building your body in a way that allows you to achieve peak performance
in every aspect of your life. Who better to emulate that than some of
the best athletes in all of sports, as well as celebrities who use their
bodies to express themselves in film and television that allow them
to set a standard? When you hear that criteria, Sidney is clearly not
only one of the most-fit athletes out there, but someone who exemplifies
greatness and excellence and someone who takes care of his body in such
a way that perhaps our readers can not only learn from him, but strive
to be as good as he is in whatever they do.”
The last time an NHL player was featured in Men’s
Fitness before Sidney Crosby was Mike Modano back in 2003.
Of course Sidney
Crosby haters will always have something to say like "nice
tits". Follow the link above to add your comments. I hope you will
stick up for Sidney after you read some of the trash talk going on over
there.
The
Sidney Crosby Show Blog has an entertaining post regarding The Men's
Fitness Sidney Crosby cover. Nice work Jodie! Here is a quote from that
post talking about what is being said by Sidney Crosby's team mates:
"Poor Sid doesn't stand a chance in that locker room. I'd give
anything to be a fly on the wall to hear what they've been saying to
him about that picture when there's no media around! It's probably pretty
brutal - and hilarious!!!"
Finally, an article
by Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette points out that
Sidney Crosby isn't that worried about all the teasing from his team
mates since during his rookie year he was featured on GQ and shirtless
on Vanity fair. The article quotes Sidney Crosby as saying, "My
first year, it was GQ and Vanity Fair and the Vanity Fair [photo] was
no shirt, so after that I don't think it could get any worse, especially
being a first-year guy. I took as bad a beating as it could be, I think."
Sidney Crosby is also being featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated
Kids and The Hockey News for the month of February. ThePittsburghChannel.com
states, "In SI Kids, Crosby lists his favorites for the readers,
including his favorite movie, which is 'Rocky.' Crosby said his favorite
actor is Denzel Washington. When it comes to the ladies, Crosby said
he's an Eva Mendes fan. His favorite foods are protein-filled chicken
and carbo-loaded pasta. His favorite band is Three Days Grace and when
it comes to athletes, Crosby looks away from hockey for inspiration.
He said he's a big Tiger Woods fan."
Sidney Crosby's Two Goals Against The
AtlantaThrashers Not Good Enough
Saturday January 12, 2008
Sidney Crosby managed to notch the only two goals against
the Atlanta Thrashers but former team mate Mark Recchi won the game
with the only shoot out goal. Sidney Crosby was unsuccessful in the
shootout, as were Petr Sykora and Evgeni Malkin. This put an end to
The Penguins eight game winning streak. The Atlanta Thrashers beat The
Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2.
Sidney Crosby was named the second star of the game, added
two points to increase his scoring total, and now has 20 goals for the
2007-08 NHL season. Just over five minutes into the first period Sidney
Crosby scored the first goal of the game. The next goal came nine and
half minutes into the first period by Sniper Ilya Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk
has eight goals and seven assists during a nine game point streak leading
the league in goals with 37 so far this season.
Sidney Crosby managed to score the second goal for the
Penguins during the second period. This was the only goal during the
second.
During the third Atlanta's Bobby Holik tied the game sending
it into overtime.
Mark Recchi faced the Penguins for the first time since
they placed him on waivers earlier this season, essentially giving up
on the 39 year old veteran. During the shootout Recchi showed his former
team he can still play and won the game for the Atlanta Thrashers. This
victorious game winning goal must of been both gratifying and exciting
for Recchi and disappointing for Sidney Crosby who's two goals weren't
enough to beat the Thrashers and continue The Penguins game winning
streak.
Sidney Crosby's Nine Point Game Streak
Comes To An End As The Penguins Win 4-0 Over The Lightning
Thursday January 10, 2008
All Star game starters Sidney Crosby and Vincent Lecavalier
faced eachother tonight and both were held pointless. This puts an end
to Sidney Crosby's nine point game streak. However, The Penguins have
extended their game winning streak to eight games, only two away from
their 1998-99 ten game streak. While Tampa Bay's Paul Ranger scored
the only first period goal and only goal all game for Tampa Bay, The
Penguins managed to score two goals in the second and two more in the
third to win the hockey game 4-0. Jordan Stall scored both second period
goals. Ryan Malone and Evgeni Malkin each had a goal during the third
period. Goalie Ty Conklin, named first star of the game, has now won
all 9 hockey games he has started in this season. Jordan Stall finally
ended a seven game scoring drought and was named the second star of
the game.
It appears recent changes to the Penguins roster have given The Pittsburgh
Penguins the edge they need to win. In fact, hockey analyst Kevin Allen
from USA Today wrote a great article summarizing it all called "Rink
Rap: Crosby helps Penguins plow through league", from goalie
Ty Conklin getting on board and moving Mark Rechhi to Sidney Crosby
and Evgeni Malkin working magic together. He went on to say that Sidney
Crosby is having a mediocore season for his skills, yet is notching
multiple point games on a regular basis of late and still is a potential
Hart Trophy candidate. He goes on to tell us how great Sidney Crosby
really is by saying, "He hasn't exploded yet this season, he has
only one three-point game and one four-point game, and he's still only
four points out of the scoring lead."
Sidney Crosby Gets A Goal And An Assist
In A 3-1 Penguins Victory Over The Panthers With All Three Penguins
Goals Scored In Just Over 3 Minutes
Tuesday January 8, 2008
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin assisted on the first
goal of the game during the second period notched by Petr Sykora. Then
just over a minute later Sidney Crosby scored his 18th goal of the season.
Less than two minutes after that Georges Laraque got the third goal
for the Pittsburgh Penguins. All three Penguins goals came in three
minutes and six seconds time during the second period. Florida managed
to pull off one goal during the third period.
Sidney Crosby was named the first star of the game followed
by Ty Conklin and Evgeni Malkin.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have won 7 games in a row, their
longest game winning streak since the 1998-99 NHL season when they won
10 games in a row.
Sidney Crosby has now extended his point streak to 9 games
in a row.
Sidney Crosby Gets The Most Votes To
Start The 2008 NHL All Star Hockey Game For The Second Year In A Row
Tuesday January 8, 2008
The votes are in for 2008 NHL All Star Game and Sidney
Crosby led all players with 507,274 ballots cast by hockey fans. Sidney
Crosby earned nearly 200,000 more votes than any other player this year.
Sidney Crosby will be starting with forwards Daniel Alfredson
and Vincent Lecavalier for the Eastern Conference. The starting defenders
for the Eastern Conference will be Montreal's Andrei Markov and Boston's
Zdeno Chara. Martin Brodeur was voted the starting goaltender.
Last year Sidney Crosby made NHL history by being the
youngest hockey player voted to start in the All Star Game with 825,783
votes. The only hockey player to ever receive more votes for the NHL
All Star Game was Jaromir Jagr with 1,020,736 back in the year 2000.
This years 56th NHL All Star hockey game will be held
on January 27, 2008 at Philips Arena in Atlanta. Last year Sidney Crosby
was held pointless as was Wayne Gretzky in his first All Star appearance.
Sidney Crosby
Evgeni Malkin And
Rookie Tyler Kennedy Each Get A Goal While Ty Conklin Earns Another
Shutout In A 3-0 Victory Over The Florida Panthers
Thursday January 5, 2008
Tonight Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin each scored a
goal and earned an assist. Rookie Tyler Kennedy scored the first and
game winning goal just over four minutes into the game. Malkin's goal
came less than two minutes later. Sidney Crosby scored his goal, assisted
by Malkin, towards the end of the final period.
Meanwhile, Ty Conklin earned his second shutout in four
games and was named the first star of the game. The Penguins put the
Panthers away 3-0 at the Melon Arena. The Pittsburg Penguins have won
their last six games in a row.
Sidney Crosby was named the second star of the game and
has a total of 57 points this season (17 goals + 40 assists) currently
leading the league in assists.
Sidney Crosby Assists On Two Of Evgeni
Malkin's Hat Trick Goals As The Pittsburgh Penguins Dominate The Toronto
Maple Leafs In A 6-2 Win
Thursday January 3, 2008
Evgeni Malkin picked up his first NHL career hat trick
with Sidney Crosby assisting on two of the goals. Jason Blake of the
Toronto Maple Leafs opened scoring for the game during the first period.
Penguins goalie Ty Conklin made several great saves during the first
period and then the rest of the Penguins took over druing the second
and third periods.
Erik Christensen scored the first goal for the Penguins
during the second period. Sidney Crosby and Colby Armstrong then assisted
Evgeni Malkin on his first goal of the game.
During the third period The Penguins dominated the Leafs
by scoring four more goals. The first goal came early in the period
by rookie Tyler Kennedy assisted by Jordan Staal. Then 48 seconds later
The Penguins managed to bury 2 more pucks for a total of 3 goals in
an unbelievably short time span. Evgeni Malkin scored two more goals,
assisted by Crosby on one, giving him his first ever NHL career hat
trick. The fans showed their delight by covering the ice in hats of
all kinds. Jason Blake of the Leafs scored the second goal for his team
and was the only Leaf to score goals during the game. The Leafs fell
apart during the third period as the Pittsburgh Penguins dominated the
game with a 6-2 victory.
Not surprisingly Evgeni Malkin was named the first star
of the game, followed by team mates Ty Conklin and Jarrko Ruutu.
While this was a Penguins home game, Sidney Crosby and
company, all wore their white road jerseys while The Leafs wore their
blue home attire.
Interesting fact: The Penguins scored
an incredible 3 goals within 48 seconds during the third period. Can
you imagine them doing that in half the time? Well according to Rob
Rossi of The Pittsburgh Tribune Review, "The Penguins scored
three goals in a span of 27 seconds on Nov. 22, 1972, when Al McDonough,
Ken Schinkel and Ron Schock fueled a 10-4 victory against St. Louis."
Sidney Crosby Gets The Game Winning Shootout
Goal With A Shot Between Ryan Miller's Legs At The 2008 NHL Winter Classic
Tuesday January 1, 2008
The 2008 NHL Winter Classic hockey game, held outside
for the first time ever on U.S. soil on new years day in Orchard Park,
N.Y, set an NHL attendance record at 70,217. Just 21 seconds into the
game the league MVP Sidney Crosby set up Colby Armstrong for the first
goal of the game. Brian Campbell of the Buffalo Sabres scored the only
other regulation time goal. By the end of the third period the game
was tied 1-1.
This was Sidney Crosby's first outdoor NHL regular season
hockey game, and the second in NHL history (the first was the 2003 Heritage
Classic held in Edmonton). Many fans were excited to see Sidney Crosby
play, he is after all one of the most talented NHL players to come along
since Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemiuex. Sidney Crosby won the game for
the Penguins in same type of style as the great ones before him with
the shootout goal allowing the Penguins to defeat the Sabres 2-1. Sidney
Crosby seemed to briefly lose control of the puck on his shootout attempt
because of snow on the ice but was able regain control and slip it between
the legs of Ryan Miller. Watching Sidney Crosby celebrate the winning
shootout goal as the snow fell all around him was truely classic.
Below is a video clip of Sidney Crosby's shootout goal
and highlight clip from the 2008 NHL Winter Classic.
Sidney Crosby's Shootout Goal
2008 NHL Winter Classic Highlights
Sidney Crosby Leaps
Into The "Ice Bowl"
The 2008 NHL
AMP Energy Winter Classic
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Buffalo Sabres
The First Outdoor Regular Season NHL Hockey Game Ever On U.S. Soil
Monday December 31, 2007
Sidney Crosby and The Pittsburgh Penguins will make history
along with The Buffalo Sabres as the first NHL hockey teams to ever
play a regular season outdoor hockey game on United States soil. The
game is being held at the Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the Buffalo
Bills NFL football team, with a capacity for 73,000 spectators. With
a great deal of work the football stadium is being transformed into
a hockey rink. NHL
ice-making specialist Dan Craig has been hard a work.
The first ever outdoor NHL hockey game held in Edmonton during 2003
was called the NHL Heritage Classic and set the record for crowd attendence
at 57,167. The NHL Winter Classic hockey game is expected to surpass
the attendance record at over 70,000 fans. More information on the Heritage
Classic can be found at The
Oilers Heritage Site.
While Sidney Crosby will be adding another first to his list of NHL
experiences by playing in the first ever outdoor NHL regular season
hockey game in the United States, his team mate and Penguins goaltender
Ty conklin will make history as playing in the first two outdoor NHL
hockey games in history. Conklin will be the starting goalie for The
Pittsburgh Penguins as he did during 2003 while with the Edmonton Oilers.
Back in 2003 at the NHL Heritage Classic The Montreal Canadiens beat
the Edmonton Oilers 4-3. Sidney Crosby's other team mate Georges Laraque
also played during the 2003 Heritage Classic when he was a member of
the Edmonton Oilers.
While Sidney Crosby plays his first outdoor NHL hockey game early in
his career, 41 year old veteran Gary Roberts, was looking forward to
partaking in this event. Roberts has a long list of NHL achievments
from recently recording his 900th NHL career point to winning The Stanley
Cup. Unfortunately, a few days ago, Saturday December 29, 2007, ironically
in a game against the Buffalo Sabres, Gary Roberts and Sabre's Tim Connolly
collided with an awkward landing causing Roberts' left leg to break.
The Penguins will surely miss the skills of Roberts at the Winter Classic.
Sidney Crosby Set Up Both Goals Scored
Against The Buffalo Sabres
In A 2-0 Victory
And
Goalie Ty Conklin's First Shutout This NHL Hockey Season
Saturday December 29, 2007
Solid goaltending by Buffalo's Ryan Miller only allowed
one goal all game for the Penguins, the first came during the second
period scored by Ryan Malone who was assisted by Sidney Crosby and Daryll
Sydor. Sidney Crosby had faked the shot twice before setting up Malone.
Miller was pulled from net towards the end of the game giving Buffalo
an extra man advantage but Evgeni Malkin shot the puck into the empty
net with Sidney Crosby's second assist of the game.
Sidney Crosby now has 36 assists this NHL season, two
earned during his solid performance tonight against the Buffalo Sabres.
Sidney Crosby wasn't the only solid performer tonight. In fact, all
three stars of the game were members of The Pittsburg Penguins with
the first star being Ty Conklin, second Colby Armstrong, and thrid Sidney
Crosby. Ty Conklin was called up from the minors about a month ago,
emerging victorious in the last four games in a row, snagging his first
shutout of the 2007-08 NHL hockey season. This was Conklin's third NHL
shutout, in all he blocked all 26 of Buffalo's shots. Conklin served
in Buffalo briefly as a backup goalie last season.
Veteran Gary Roberts who not only can play top level hockey
at 41 years old showed us he can still throw some punches a few games
ago when he clocked Flyer's 23 year old Ben Eager several times. Unfortunately,
both Roberts and Buffalo's Tim Connolly collided with an awkward landing
breaking Roberts left leg. Roberts will be out for sometime. Just before
the game Gary Roberts was honured for recently scoring his 900th NHL
point.
With just of 17,000 fans at Mellon Arena cheering for
their home team and captain Sidney Crosby, things will be much different
on new years day when the Sabres and Penguins meet again for the much
hyped outdoor Winter Classic at Buffalo's Ralph Wilson Stadium in front
of 73,000 spectators. This will be the first ever outdoor game on U.S.
soil giving Sidney Crosby another NHL historical moment to be a part
of.
Sidney Crosby Picks Up Another Award
As The CanWest Male Athlete of The year
Saturday December 29, 2007
Taken from the National Post...
"In a year when he secured the National Hockey League's
scoring title, captured the Hart and Lester B. Pearson trophies and
became the youngest captain in NHL history, Sidney Crosby also won favour
with CanWest sports editors, writers and columnists and was the prodigious
choice for Canadian male athlete of the year." Read
the compelte article here.
Sidney Crosby Sets Up Sergei Gonchar
For The 4-3 Pittsburgh Penguins Overtime Win Over Alexander Ovechkin
and The Washington Capitals
Thursday December 27, 2007
Sidney Crosby faced The Washington Capitals for the 11th
time since he and Alexander Ovechkin began their NHL careers. The Penguins
have won 10 of the 11 games. Despite what appeared to be Oveckin's game
winning goal in the second period tonight, The Penguins were able to
tie the game late in the third period and rally to pull off the win
just ninety three seconds into overtime.
The third period game tying goal was the first of the
season for defensman Darryl Sydor who help kept the Penguins alive.
Sidney Crosby assisted on the overtime winning goal by defensman Sergei
Gonchar. Gonchar played for the Capitals for 10 seasons with a brief
stint in Boston before joining the Penguins in 2005-06.
Tonight Gonchar made two unacceptable mistakes against
his former team but more than made up for it with some help from Sidney
Crosby during the overtime win. Along with Gonchar's overtime goal and
Daryl Sydor's game tying goal, both Colby Armstrong and Jeff Taffe scored
goals for the Penguins during the first period. This was Jeff Taffe's
first NHL goal as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Taffe was signed
a two year contract with The Penguins in July of 2007 and spent most
of his time in the AHL but was called up on December 20, 2007. Sidney
Crosby notched two assists this game and was named the fist star of
the game.
Sidney Crosby Wins Another Award
As The Canadian Press Male Athlete of The Year Award
Wednesday December 26, 2007
The following Sidney Crosby story is taken from The Canadian
Press:
Sidney Crosby, The Cole Harbour, N.S., native was the
runaway winner of the Lionel Conacher Award in a poll of sports editors
and broadcasters across the country. He's the first hockey player to
capture the honour since former Penguins star Mario Lemieux won in 1993.
Crosby also won the Toronto Star's Lou Marsh Award as Canada's outstanding
athlete earlier this month.
Sidney Crosby Gets Another Assist As
The Pittsburgh Penguins Beat The Bruins 4-2
Sunday December 23, 2007
Sidney Crosby and Colby Armstrong picked up the assists
on the fourth and final goal of the game scored by Gary Roberts. Roberts
also scored the first goal during the first period. The Pittsburgh Penguins
beat the Bruins 4-2. Evgeni Malkin and Georges Laraque also scored a
goal each.
Sidney Crosby Gets His 31st Assist of
The Season In A 4-1 Loss To The New York Islanders
Friday December 21, 2007
The Penguins lost 4-2 to the Islanders and Sidney Crosby
was able to pick up an assist on Jordan Staal's third goal of the season.
Sidney Crosby Gets Into His First NHL
Career Fight Earning A Gordie Howe Hat Trick
The Penguins Defeated The Bruins
5-4 In A Shoot Out Victory
Thursday December 20, 2007
The Penguins defeated the Bruins 5-4 in a game where Sidney
Crosby had his first NHL career fight and his first ever Gordie Howe
Hat Trick. Sidney Crosby's first fight was against Boston's Andrew Ference
and the first in his 194-game NHL career. Crosby also had a goal and
two assists. For those not familiar with a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, this
is achieved when a player has a goal, an assist, and a fight all in
one game. Read
the complete story about Sidney Crosby's first fight here.
Video of Sidney Crosby's First NHL Fight
Henrik Lundqvist Shutout The Penguins
In A 4-0 Victory For The Rangers
The Penguins Beat The Islanders 3-2
Sidney Crosby Scored The First Goal
Saturday December 15, 2007
Sidney Crosby scored the first goal, assisted by rookie
Tyler Kennedy, in a 3-2 Penguins victory over the Islanders. Kennedy
scored the game winning goal during the second period to end a 2-2 tie.
The Penguins Played An Incredible Game
Against The Senators
Sidney Crosby Shoots A Career High Nine Shots But The Incredible Goaltending
By Senators' Martin Gerber Gives Ottawa The Win 4-1
Thursday December 13, 2007
Sidney Crosby shot a career high nine shots at home against
the Ottawa Senators, three on breakaways, only to be denied on all attempts
by Goalie Martin Gerber. Sidney Crosby played very well, the NHL
game recap even reports Senators' Coach said Crosby is not going
to be denied that often and Martin Gerber said, "he (Crosby) was
good." Both Dany Heatly and Jason Spezza scored two goals a piece,
while rookie Tyler Kennedy scored the lone goal for the Penguins. According
to the Sidney Crosby Show blog...
"The Penguins were CLEARLY the better team tonight,
but Gerber was incredible. He was virtually impenetrable. He carried
the Senators, and without him, the score would have been more like Pens
7, Sens 2. But that's not how it worked out tonight. I think it should
be mentioned that Sabou didn't play poorly tonight, either. Sid had
9 shots on goal tonight, tying his career high from a game against Nashville
in 2006."
You can read a great game
recap on the Sidney Crosby Show blog here.
Here is some video footage from the Penguins vs Senators
game from NHL video.
Sidney Crosby Gets 2 Points With Assists
But The Philadelphia Flyers Crush The Pittsburgh Penguins 8-2
Tuesday December 11, 2007
After winning their last three road games the Pittsburgh
Penguins lose their fourth against the Flyers in a devastating 8-2 loss.
Sidney Crosby tallied 2 points both on assists. The Flyers who have
had 5 players suspended this year played a physical game against the
Penguins. Just 20 seconds into the game Flyers captain Jason Smith dropped
the gloves to get the better of Penguins Ryan Malone. Three more fights
ensued during the third period. In one 41 year old Gary Roberts of the
Penguins gave 23 year old Ben Eager several left handed punches in retaliation
for Eager's elbow to Georges Laraque's head. Roberts is one tough old
timer.
The Flyers pulled off a double hat trick, Joffrey Lupul
and R.J. Umberger each scored three goals. Lupul also earned three assists
making him the first Flyer since Eric Lindros on March 1, 1997 to get
six points in a game. This was also the fist time for the Flyers having
two players with a hat trick in the same game since Tim Kerr and Dave
Poulin each had three goals against the Islanders on Dec. 18, 1986.
Every time Sidney Crosby touched the puck Flyers fans
booed him. The Flyers are obviously a physical team that sometimes take
it too far but the Penguins weren't afraid to stick up for themselves.
The Associated Press reported Sidney Crosby's comments about the roughness
of this game. Crosby said, "I think we had to stick up for each
other at one point, they have a lot of guys who play physical and probably
take it beyond physical sometimes but beyond that I think it's just
sticking up for one another."
Check out this video of Gary Roberts drops the gloves
and takes young Ben Eager to school.
Here is some video footage from (below) the Penguins
vs Flyers game from NHL video.
Sidney Crosby Wins Lou Marsh Memorial
Award As Canada's Top Athlete For 2007
Tuesday December 11, 2007
Sidney Crosby is the first hockey player to win the Lou
Marsh award since Mario Lemieux in 1993 and Wayne Gretzky in 1989. The
Lou Marsh award is given out by the Toronto Star and is voted upon by
a panel of sports journalists. Lou Marsh worked for the Toronto Star
for 43 years. The award first started in 1936 and only eight hockey
players have won it. Wayne Gretzky won it a record four times. The others
include Bobby Orr, Guy Lafleur, and Maurice Richard. For
a more detailed article and a list of all hockey players who have won
the Lou Marsh Award click here.
Who Would You Rather Get A Phone Call
From Over The Holidays
Sidney Crosby or Stephen Harper?
Monday December 10, 2007
A Harris/Decima
telephone poll conducted by Vonage Canada between November 22, 2007
and November 25 2007 asked 1,021 repondents who they would rather get
a phone call from over the holidays. One of the key findings in this
report states, "Almost one quarter of respondents would rather
receive a phone call from Stephen Harper over Sidney Crosby, Avril Lavigne
or Lloyd Robertson."
Sidney Crosby Can't Get Anything Past
Roberto Luongo And Is Held Pointless Two Games In A Row For The First
Time This Season
Pittsburgh Beat The Canuks 2-1 In A Shootout
Saturday December 8, 2007
The Vancouver Canuks got physical with Sidney Crosby right
from the start of the game. Sidney Crosby was unable to get a puck past
Vancouver's Roberto Luongo nor was he able to assist his team mates.
This is the second game in a row this season where Crosby did not get
a point. This is also the first time this season where Sidney Crosby
failed to earn a point for two games in a row. Luckily, the Penguins
were able to beat the Canuks in the shootout 2-1. This was the first
time Crosby has played the Canuks on their home ice ever.
Sidney Crosby Loses Sports Illustrated
Sportsman of The Year Award
To The NFL's Brett Favre
Friday December 7, 2007
On November 12, 2007 Sports Illustrated announced that
Sidney Crosby was in the running for the 54th Sportsman of The Year
Award. The last time a hockey player won the award was the legendary
Wayne Gretzky back in 1982 a quarter of a century ago. This year’s
winner, NFL’s Brett Favre who beat out Sidney Crosby, was announced
at the beginning of December. Read
the full Crosby vs Favre Sports Illustrated Sportsman of The Year story
here.
Sidney Crosby Was Denied As He Made His
Debut In Calgary Against The Flames In A 3-2 Shoot Out Victory For The
Pittsburgh Penguins
Thursday December 6, 2007
Tonight the Calgary Flames kept Sidney Crosby, playing
for the first time ever in Calagary, from earning a point. This is only
the third hockey game ever this season where Sidney Crosby has been
denied a point in a game.
During the shootout both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin
were unable to get the puck past Flames goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff,
while Jarome Iginla, Alex Tanguay and Matthew Lombardi failed to get
the puck past Pittsburgh goaltender Dany Sabourin. Kristian Huselius
scored Calgary's only shoot out goal. Pittsburgh's first shoot out goal
came from Petr Sykora and then Kris Letang won the game with the second.
Jarome Iginla scored both goals for the Calgary Flames
during regulation time, while Evgeni Malkin and Ryan Malone notch one
each for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The last time The Penguins faced the Flames was December
3, 2005 in Pittsburgh.
During the pregame skate the crowd at Calgary's Pengrowth
Saddledome cheered for Sidney Crosby but they loudly booed him during
the shootout. Was it because they wanted their home team to win and
were trying to distract Sidney or were they disappointed in his performance
this night? Perhaps it was both.
An article posted by The National post called, Crosby
shut out but Penguins still top Flames, quoted Jarome Ignla saying
the following about Sidney Crosby; "He's extremely impressive,
at his age, what he's already accomplished, it's the same thing everybody
says - he's got amazing skill, a quick player, but he also battles hard."
Interesting fact from the NHL.com
game recap: "Pittsburgh forward Gary Roberts is the last member
of the 1989 Stanley Cup champion Calgary Flames still playing. He's
41"
Watch Pittsburg at Calgary Below...
The Penguins Come Back In The Third Period
From A 2-0 Deficit In Sidney Crosby's First Game Ever In Edmonton
Crosby Had 3 Assists In The Third Period
Is There Such A Thing As An Assist Hat Trick?
Wednesday December 5, 2007
Sidney Crosby earned three assists during his first road game ever
in Edmonton. The Oilers led the game 2-0 at the start of the third period
but the Penguins managed to pull off a win with four goals during the
third period. I am not too sure if there is such a term but Crosby pulled
off an assist-hat trick. The Penguins beat the Oilers 4-2.
Sidney Crosby was named the first star of
the game.
Watch the game highlights below...
While In His Third NHL Season Sidney
Crosby Finally Plays The Rest Of Canada’s NHL Teams
Tuesday December 4, 2007
Everyone knows the most die hard hockey fans reside in Canada and everyone
wants there wants to see Sidney Crosby. This is Crosby’s third
year in the NHL but he has yet to have played in all six cities that
have NHL Teams in the great white north.
The NHL post lock out game schedule doesn’t accommodate Sidney
Crosby’s team to play in each of the six Canadian cities each
year. So far he has played in Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. Crosby
will play his first games against the rest of the Canadian NHL teams
starting Wednesday December 5, 2007 in Edmonton. Then Crosby fanatics
can see him play Thursday December 6, 2007 in Calgary and Saturday December
8, 2007 in Vancouver.
It has taken 3 NHL seasons for Sidney Crosby to appear in every Canadian
city with an NHL team, this is not acceptable to Canadian hockey fans.
This was a major reason for the NHL’s decision to revise their
game schedule. The current schedule involves a lot of divisional games
but soon every team will play each other at least once every season.
"We need to have Crosby in every building," Gretzky said.
"It's about time."
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin Set Up
Pittsburgh Penguins’ Kris Letang
For The Game Winning Goal
In A 3-1 Victory
Over Wayne Gretzky’s Phoenix Coyotes
Monday December 3, 2007
Tonight Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins polished off legendary
Wayne Gretzky’s Phoenix Coyotes four to one. Late in the opening
period Maxime Talbot scored the first goal of the game for the Penguins.
Talbot was recovering from an ankle sprain suffered on November 17,
2007 and this was his first game since. Maxime Talbot didn’t disappoint.
Sidney Crosby sent a pass to Kris Letang in the third period, who scored
the game winning goal, making the game 2-1 Pittsburgh. Crosby and Malkin
were credited with assists. This was a great confidence booster for
Letang. In fact, The Associated Press quoted Letang on the NHL web site
as saying, “the more you play, the more you gain confidence.”
Then in the same period rookie Tyler Kennedy scored his fourth NHL career
goal making the game 3-1. This was the final score of the game.
Wayne Gretzky had some tough words for his team. The Associate Press
quoted Gretzky as saying: “We faced a team with a lot of talent,
we're at the end of a trip and took a lot of unnecessary penalties,
but the penalty kill worked hard. We didn't deserve to win this hockey
game."
Interesting note: The Penguins’ George Laraque was reveling in
the fact he had set up an assist on the first goal of the game against
his former team the Phoenix Coyotes. In fact, The
Pittsburgh Tribune Review quoted Laraque as saying, “obviously,
when you go against your former team you have a little extra to show
them."
Sidney Crosby Christmas Gifts
Sunday December 2, 2007
Christmas is just around the corner and if you're shopping for a Sidney
Crosby fan you may want to have a look at an interesting list of choices.
Jodie from The Sidney Crosby Show blog put together a list of items
after scouring the Internet. She was not paid to make the list, nor
is she receiving any commissions. Jodie is just an avid Crosby fan looking
to help out other fans. Have
a look at The Sidney Crosby Christmas Gift List here.
Sidney Crosby Goes Nuts During The Third
Period Against The Maple Leafs
Only To Lose 4-2
In The Same Game Mats Sundin Broke An 83 Year Old Leafs Game Point Streak
Record
Saturday December 1, 2007
After what appeared to be a lethargic first two periods for the Penguins,
Sidney Crosby was the only Penguins player to turn up the intensity
during the third period. This was quite a contrast compared to last
night’s high intensity effort against the Dallas Stars.
At the start of the third period the Leafs were winning 3-0. By the
time there was just over two minutes left in the game the Pittsburgh
Penguins earned two goals with a score of 3-2. Sidney Crosby earned
a point for assisting Erik Christensen on his power play goal; this
gave the Penguins their second goal of the game. Unfortunately, the
Penguins were unable to tie up the game and Toronto scored a fourth
goal on an empty net. Had the Pens played with more desire during the
first two periods they could have pulled it off. In fact, the game recap
by the Associated Press quoted Sidney Crosby as saying, “We had
some chances to tie it up in the third, but I don't think we gave ourselves
a good chance in the first two periods."
Another interesting point was made by Jodie from The Sidney Crosby
Show Blog. During the third period Jodie explains, “Sidney Crosby
got control of the puck and rushed on goal. He ended up taking the puck
to the left side of Toskala. He controlled the puck in the corner and
then lost his stick. Then we got a chance to see why Sidney is regarded
as the best player on the ice today: During the nearly nine seconds
without his stick, Sid managed to maintain possession of the puck using
his feet and the boards until he could safely pick up his stick which
he then used to pass the puck to Army. Even though that play didn't
result in a goal, it was one of the best plays of the game.” Jodie
wrote a superb and detailed recap of the game which can be read at The
Sidney Crosby Show.
Finally, The Toronto Star reported about an amusing prank pulled during
the Penguins / Leafs open practice in Toronto the morning prior to the
game. The article is called: “Fake
'Crosby' thrills at Penguins practice.” Apparently, Marc-Andre
Fleury put Maxime Talbot up to this one. Talbot put on a number 87 Jersey
and stepped out onto the ice where about 14,000 fans cheered uncontrollably.
The Star reported the Crosby imitation was flawless, here is a quote
from the article: “Talbot did the impersonation to perfection.
He donned Crosby's jersey, tossed on his helmet, and even took Crosby's
stick out of the stick rack, before entering the ice surface at the
Air Canada Centre. The second he touched the ice, a huge ovation rose
from the fans, while hundreds of cellphone and digital cameras flashed.”
If I was a fan I am not so sure I would of found it amusing but it goes
to show how excited hockey fans everywhere are about Sidney Crosby,
even die hard Leafs fans.
Interesting Fact: During this game Mats Sundin, The
Maple Leafs Captain, broke an 83 year old Leaf’s game point streak
record with 15. The previous record was held during the 1924-25 season
at 14 games by Cecil
Babe Dye.
Twenty Four Seconds Into The First Period
Crosby's Wrist Shot Gets The Pittsburgh Penguins' First Goal In A 4-1
Victory Over The Dallas Stars
Friday November 30, 2007
Sidney Crosby came close to his second career hat trick in a game against
the Dallas Stars where The Penguins scored the first two goals during
the first 3 minutes and 38 seconds. The Pittsburgh Penguins have won
their third game in a row, after quite a few losses since the season
started this year, 4-1 over the Dallas Stars.
Crosby scored two goals and had a game high 8 shots on net. Sidney
Crosby scored his first goal 24 seconds into the game with a wrist shot
through the legs of Dallas goalie Mike Smith. Crosby was assited by
Colby Armstrong and Brooks Orpik. The second goal of the game came from
rookie Tyler Kennedy for his second career goal. Kennedy's first career
goal was on November 3, 2007 against the Islanders.
Crosby's second goal of the game came at mid second period with a wrist
shot sending the puck just under the top crossbar. Crosby's second goal
was assisted by Darryl Sydor and Colby Armstrong. This happend just
over 3 minutes after Dallas' Mike Modano scored the lone goal for the
Stars. Sidney Crosby also received a 2 minute penalty for hooking during
the second period.
In the third period Petr Sykora set up a nice pass to Evgeni Malkin
who tapped the puck in giving him his tenth goal of the season.
Sidney Crosby looked phenominal and full of energy right from the start
of the game. Coaches from both teams had only words of praise. Dallas
Star's Coach Tippett said, "their best player was pretty good tonight,"
and Penguins Coach Therrien said, "He had a lot of energy tonight."
All three stars of the game were Penguins players picked by Mellon Arena
Media with Sidney Crosby first, Colby Armstrong second, and Mark Eaton
third.
This was The Penguins' first game in seven days. Perhaps the time off,
which gave them time to focus more during practices, help reenergize
this talented team. Perhaps it was karma being good to them after the
charity work they did during the seven game break. Whatever the reason
if the Penguins keep the momentum going they should end up in the playoffs.
In fact, The Pittsburgh Penguins start this season is similar to their
start last season. At this point in time last year they picked up momentum
and ended up in the playoffs. The same could happen again this year
considering many of this years losses were close well played games.
For an excellent news story on this topic see Sports Illustrated: Wise
beyond his years Sidney Crosby is the perfect captain for the Penguins
Posted: Monday November 26, 2007
Intereting Sidney Crosby Fact: Sidney Crosby came
close to his second career hat trick tonight. His first one ever was
during his sophmore year on Saturday October 28, 2006. Sidney Crosby
recorded his first hat trick in an 8-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Sidney Crosby Gets His 21st Assist of
The Season And A Power Play Goal In A 5-0 Pittsburgh Triumph Over Atlanta
Saturday November 24, 2007
Sidney Crosby's slap shot in the second period earned him a power play
goal and earlier in the game he picked up his 21st assist of the season
on Colby Armstrong's first period goal. The Penguins beat the Thrashers
5-0.
The Penguins who are currently sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic
division still have a shot at the playoffs if they can continue to win
like they have in their last two games against formidable opponents
like the Thrashers and Senators.
Marc Andre Fleury shut out the Thrashers giving him a much needed confidence
boost after inconsistent goaltending this season. Marc-Andre Fleury
made 28 saves for his ninth career shutout and second of the 2007-08
NHL season. Fleury was named the first star of the game, followed by
team mates Jordan Staal second and Sergi Gonchar third.
Meanwhile Evgeni Malkin's career high game point streak has come to
an end at 15. Malkin was unable to earn a point this game but he holds
the longest game point streak ever by a russian born NHL player.
Sidney Crosby Assists Ryan Malone Late
In The First Period Where The Penguins Eventually Defeated The Mighty
Senators In A Shootout 6-5
Thursday November 22, 2007
After struggling to rally his team to win in a series of loses, Sidney
Crosby and The Penguins were able to defeat the best team in the NHL
right now. Sidney Crosby was able to assist Ryan Malon late in the first
period to tie up the game 2-2 against the Ottawa Senators. This was
Crosby's only point of the game. Regulation time ended with a 5-5 tie,
but the Penguins were able to win the game 6-5 when the game went to
a shootout. This was a much needed win for the struggling Penguins who
are currently last in the Atlantic division.
Crosby's career best game point streak ended at 19 yesterday but team
mate, Evgeni Malkin has continued his steak to 16 games after his first
period goal tonight.
Sidney Crosby and Daniel Alfredson
Top 2 In Fan Votes For Eastern NHL All Star Game Starting Team Line
Up
Tonight Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby faced Senators' captain Daniel
Alfredson on the ice. On Tuesday November 20, 2007 results showed that
Crosby is leading the fan balloting count for the Eastern NHL All Star
Team starting line up, while Alfredson follows in second place. According
to a report on CBC, "The league revealed Tuesday that Crosby, thus
far, has garnered 94,118 votes in the first week of voting, more than
double the total earned by Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson,
who was second among forwards with 41,198." Last year Sidney Crosby
was the youngest hockey player in NHL history to be voted into a starting
position for an NHL All Star Game.
This years NHL All Star Game takes place Sunday January 27, 2008 in
Atlanta Georgia to be played at Philips Arena. This will be the first
time The Atlanta Thrashers host the event. You can vote
for Sidney Crosby and your favorite NHL stars here until January
2, 2008.
Sidney Crosby's Game Point Streak Ends
At 19 While Evgeni Malkin Reaches 15 In A Loss To The New Jersey Devils
Wednesday November 21, 2007
In tonight's Pittsburgh Penguins / New Jersey Devils game, Evgeni Malkin,
earned the only point on his team with an unassisted goal. Malkin's career
best game point streak now reaches 15. Meanwhile, Sidney Crosby's career
best game point streak came to an end at 19 because he was unable to earn
a point this game. The Devils beat the Penguins 2-1.
Sidney Crosby Gets Credit For Lobbying
Changes To The New Reebok Edge NHL Jerseys After Complaints Early In
The 2007-08 NHL Season
Sunday November 18, 2007
NHL hockey teams began using the RBK Edge hockey uniforms
during the 2007-08 NHL season. The Reebok Edge NHL uniforms ultimately
enhance a hockey player’s performance with increased speed and
range of motion. During the initial design period Reebok’s spokesman,
Sidney Crosby, was able to put his input into the design. While many
hockey stars are praising the benefits of the new hockey uniforms, a
quarter of the way into the 2007-08 NHL season, several hockey players
have complained too.
Reebok has listened and began making design changes and offering replacement
jerseys to NHL hockey players who request it. According to an article
appearing in the New York Post on November 18, 2007, “we're told
an immense amount of the credit is due to Sidney Crosby, the out-front
paid endorser and representative of the company who displayed great
allegiance to the integrity of hockey and lobbied Reebok to adapt”.
Read
about Sidney Crosby’s involvement with changes to the RBK Edge
Hockey Jersey here.
Sidney Crosby Expands His Point Streak
To19 Games While Creating A Two Goal Lead
Against The Rangers During The First Period
Only For The Penguins To Lose In Overtime 4-3
Saturday November 17, 2007
About five minutes into the first period of the Rangers
/ Penguins hockey game Sidney Crosby earned a point on the game’s
first goal with an assist that set up Maxime Talbot’s tip in goal.
About three minutes later Crosby scored a goal himself, putting the
Penguins at a 2 goal advantage. This gives Crosby 2 points, extending
his career best and NHL season best point streak to 19 games.
During the second period the Rangers held Sidney Crosby and his team
pointless while making a 3 goal comeback to take the lead. Rangers’
600 career point scorer Brendan Shanahan didn’t score a goal and
neither did legendary forward Jaromir Jagr. In fact, none of the Rangers’
forwards notched goals during this period, rather it was all defensemen.
This is something you don’t see too often.
Like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin also continued his career best point
streak to 14 games with an assist during the third period. This sent
the game into overtime where another defenseman got a goal for the Rangers
to defeat the Penguins 4-3.
Sidney Crosby was named the second star of the game.
Interesting Sidney Crosby Fact: Jagr is a former Penguin
who helped the team win their first two Stanley Cups in 1990 and 1991.
Jagr was also the youngest player in history to be voted by hockey fans
to start in an NHL All Star Game back in 1992. In 2007 Sidney Crosby
made history by breaking Jagr’s record becoming the youngest hockey
player in NHL history to be voted into a starting position for an NHL
All Star Game.
Sidney Crosby's Career Best Game Point
Streak Is Now Officially The Longest In The NHL This Season As The Pittsburgh
Penguins Finally Win 3-2 Over The Islanders
Thursday November 15, 2007
Sidney Crosby earns 1 point with his assist on the game
winning goal and Evgeni Malkin gets 2 on assists extending their career
best game point streaks in a Penguins 3-2 victory over the New York
Islanders. Crosby's career best point streak is now officially
the longest in the NHL this season thanks to Detorit's Henrik
Zetterberg's point streak ending at 17 two nights ago. Interestingly,
Penguins goalie Marc Andre Fleury was credited with an assist on the
first Penguins goal of the game. Crosby and company ended a four game
losing streak with this win. The Penguins also honoured Paul Coffey
as he was inducted into the Pittsburgh Penguins hall of fame on this
night. Coffey helped the team win their first Stanley Cup during the
1990-91 season.
Sidney Crosby And Evengi Malkin Are On
Fire But The Penguins Need More As They Get Burned By The Devils 3-2.
Monday November 12, 2007
Tonight Sidney Crosby and Evengi Malkin each scored a
goal for the Pittsburgh Penguins in a disappointing 3-2 loss to the
New Jersey Devils. Both Crosby and Malkin’s career best game point
streak continues. Crosby now at 17 games in a row and Malkin is at 11.
While these two Penguins players are hot, their team has been losing
a lot of games lately.
The rest of the Penguins need to turn up their play a notch to earn
the team some much needed points. While the Devils scored two goals
in the first period, the Penguins couldn’t get one. Then in the
second period Sidney Crosby got the first Penguins goal of the game,
Malkin followed with the game tying power play goal during the third
period. Unfortunately, the Devils’ Patrik Elias was able to get
the game winning goal ending the Penguins hopes of a win. The Pittsburgh
Penguins have fallen into last place of the Atlantic Division.
Sidney Crosby was named the second star of the game.
Sports Illustrated Nominates Sidney Crosby
for Their Sportsman of the Year Award
Monday November 12, 2007
Each year Sports Illustrated chooses their sportsman of
the year and Sidney Crosby is in the running for the 2007 award. In
the past twenty five years the Sports Illustrated player of the year
came from sports like basketball, golf, football, tennis, track and
field, and cycling, to name a few. The last hockey player to receive
this honor was named Wayne Gretzky back in 1982. This year Sports Illustrated
has nominated Sidney Crosby as a candidate for the award. Michael Farber
of Sports Illustrated wrote:
"The futures of Crosby and the NHL are inextricably linked. If
the league is going to muscle its way back to the NHL-Is-Hot/NBA-Is-Not
days, it will be on the muscular shoulders of the third-year star of
the Pittsburgh Penguins. Crosby certainly is holding up his end of the
deal."
At only 19 years old Sidney Crosby has had one of the most amazing
seasons during 2006-07 of any professional athlete in any sport. Of
course I am biased as a hockey fan but Crosby does seem to be the most
influential player in the NHL today. Even though he faces stiff competition,
at the very least this is another great opportunity to get Sidney Crosby’s
name and interest in the NHL out there. It will be interesting to see
who Sports Illustrated chooses as their Sportsman of The Year for 2007.
Sidney Crosby And Evengi Malkin Continue
Their Career Best Point Streaks To 16 and 10 Games
Saturday November 10, 2007
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin continue with their point
streaks but lose the game 5-2 to the Flyers.
As a side note here is a new commercial
for the Reebok RBK Edge NHL Jerseys featuring Sidney Crosby.
Sidney Crosby Extends His Career Best
Point Streak to 15 Games While Evengi Malkin's Point Streak Reaches
9 Games
Thursday November 8, 2007
Evgeni Malkin's point streak continues into 9 games tonight.
Sidney Crosby's consecutive career best point streak now reaches 15
games. However, these two young Pittsburg Penguins can't win games on
their own. Although Crosby and Malkin are earning points every game
the Penguins have lost the last 4 out of the last 5 games played. Tonight
the New York Rangers were victorious against the Pittsburgh Penguins
4-2.
Sidney Crosby and Evengi Malkin Get The
Assist On Ryan Malone's Sole Goal In A Disappointing 3-1 Loss To The
Flyers
Wednesday November 7, 2007
Sidney Crosby continues on his hot consective games point
streak even though the Pittsburgh Penguins lost 3-1 to the Philadelphia
Flyers. Up until this game the Penguins had scored at least one goal
on the power play, 14 games in a row, but the Flyers put an end to that
tonight. Read
the game recap here.
Sidney Crosby Gets Two Goals Extending
His Career Best Point Streak To Thirteen Games In A 5-0 Penguins Stomping
of The Devils
Monday November 5, 2007
Sidney Crosby scored the first goal of the game on the
power play during the first period against the New Jersey Devils. Crosby
is currently the NHL leader in power play scoring at 12 points, trailing
just behind him is Daniel Sedin of Vancouver with 11.
Crosby's second goal of the game came during the third
period at even strength. This gives Crosby a total of 2 more points
and extending his career best point streak from 12 to 13 games.
The other three Penguins goals came from Adam Hall, Petr
Sykora and Erik Christensen. After Crosby scored the fifth Pittsburgh
goal legendary goalie of the Devils Martin Brodeur was pulled from the
game. Brodeur allowed 5 goals on 24 shots.
Sidney Crosby Getting Married To A Young
Lady From Halifax Nova Scotia. When is The Wedding?
Monday November 5, 2007
We heard the Sidney Crosby girlfriend rumors about a year
ago. Now the latest rumor is being spread by a reputable journalist.
Cathy MacDonald from the Halifax Daily News tells a story of how she
saw Sidney running at St. Mary's prep school in Minnesota and didn't
have a clue of who he was but her husband did.
She doesn't want Sidney Crosby for a son in law because
he is a multimillionaire and one of the greatest hockey players to come
around in a long time but because he is a polite, down to earth, all
around good guy.
Now before you ask who is the lucky lady and when is the
wedding, let me tell you he hasn't even meet the so called bride to
be. The point of the artilce is that Crosby would be a dream son in
law for any parent. Read
the story here.
Sidney Crosby Hits A Career Best 12 Game
Point Streak Just Before He Hit Islander's Goalie DiPietro In The Eye
With A High Stick.
Saturday November 3, 2007
Sidney Crosby’s point streak continues for 12 games
in a row, this is his career best so far. In a game against the New
York Islanders at their home, Crosby earned his only point of the game
on an assist during the first period and first goal of the game by Ryan
Malone.
Then in the second period things turned ugly as Sidney
Crosby's high stick struck Islander's goalie, Rick DiPietro, right in
the eye. Crosby was issued a double minor and four minutes in the penalty
box. Initial reports indicate the injury to DiPietro's eye, which was
cut, may not be that serious. According to a Canadian Press report posted
on Google right after the game, "Islander's spokesman Chris Botta
said the 26-year-old netminder did not suffer a severe eye injury, but
DiPietro was taken from the arena to the office of team ophthalmologist
Dr. Bruce Zagelbaum for an evaluation."
Crosby says it was an accident. The same Canadian Press
report quoted Sidney Crosby as saying, "He (Islanders defenceman
Radek Martinek) lifted my stick under his mask, I had no control over
it." The Islander's home crowd booed Crosby every time he touched
the puck after the high stick incident. While the injury occured during
the second period, DiPietro was able to attend ceremonies honouring
Hall of Fame coach Al Arbour that took place after the game.
Arbour retired in 1994 but was invited back to coach one
more game to make it his 1500th coaching the Islanders. Arbour went
out on a winning note as the Islanders rallied back from a 2 goal deficit
to beat the Penguins 3-2. According to the NHL websites game recap,
"No one has coached or won more games with one team than Arbour.
He left the second time when Crosby was less than 7 years old. A banner
commemorating his 739 previous Islanders wins was lowered after the
game, replaced by one with his name and 1500 as streamers and confetti
were shot from the rafters."
Sidney Crosby Scores 2 Goals And Ends
Up In The Penalty Box Twice In A 3-2 Loss To The Colorado Avalanche
Thursday November 1, 2007
Sidney Crosby’s streak of at least one point per
game continues for 11 games in a row. Crosby scored the first two goals
during the first period of tonights game against the Avalanche. His
second goal came on the power play. The game featured the youngest captain
in the NHL, Crosby of the Penguins only 20 years old, and Joe Sakic
of the Avalanche 38 years old. Crosby received a roughing penalty during
the first period and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during the second
period. Sidney was also named the thrid star of the game.
In Crosby’s Tenth Game of The Season
He Tallied 4 Points with a Goal and Three Assists In a 4-2 Penguins
Victory Over The Wild
Tuesday October 30, 2007
Sidney Crosby’s streak of at least one point per
game in the 2007-08 NHL season, with the exception of the Penguins opening
game against The Hurricanes, continues.
Tonight Sidney Crosby and Ryan Malone assisted Evgeni
Malkin on the first goal of the game early in the second period. Almost
3 minutes later Malkin scored his second goal of the game assisted again
by Crosby and Malone. By the third period the Wild had tied the game
2-2 but at the half way point Sidney Crosby set up another assist on
Petr Sykora’s game winning goal. To top it off Sidney Crosby scored
a goal of his own with about 5 minutes left in the game. This was Crosby’s
fifth goal of the season and The Penguins were victorious 4-2 over the
Wild.
Sidney Crosby was named the fist star of the game. The Wild’s
M. Koivu was the second star and Malkin the third.
This was the first time The Penguins have played on the Wild’s
home turf since Crosby joined the Penguins. Surprisingly, Crosby received
a warm ovation just before the game when his name was announced. At
15 years old Crosby was the star hockey player at Shattuck-St. Mary's
prep school in Faribault, Minnesota. He scored 72 goals in 57 games
at Shattuck in 2002-03. During that time he attended several Minnesota
Wild games at their Xcel Energy Center, dreaming of playing in the NHL.
In fact, the NHL web site game recap quoted Crosby as saying:
"It's fun to be able to come here and play. No matter how the
night ended up, it's just nice because I was here before, watching games
and dreamed of one day playing in the NHL and playing here. It's really
a bonus to come out of here with a win."
Sidney Crosby Gets His Fourth Goal of
The Season Along With A Roughing Penalty in a Penguins 4-3 Shootout
Loss To Montreal.
Satruday October 27, 2007
Less than a minute into the second period of tonight’s
game The Pittsburgh Penguins trailed The Montreal Canadiens 3-0. Pittsburg
pulled goalie Marc-Andre Fleury after he let in 3 goals on 15 shots
and replaced him with backup Dany Sabourin. Sidney Crosby and Petr Sykora
scored a goal each before the second period ended. With less than 2
minutes left in the third period sophomore Ryan Whitney was able to
tie the game during a 6 on 4 power play (the Penguins pulled their goalie
and it paid off). Evgeni Malkin was credited with the assist.
Malkin had a total of 3 assists, one for each goal scored
by the Penguins. The game went into a very long shootout with the 16th
shooter, Markov of The Canadiens, finally ending the game with a 4-3
victory over The Penguins.
Sidney Crosby earned his fouth goal of the season during the second
period but earlier that period Montreal's Alexei Kovalev was penalized
for checking Malkin from behind. Crosby defended his team mate attacking
Kovalev where they went down to the ice. Sidney Crosby and Alexei Kovalev
both received roughing penalties.
This was the tenth game of the Season and Sidney Crosby has earned
at least one point in every game so far except for the season opener
against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Sidney Crosby Excluded From McDonald’s
Hockey Cards For The Second Year in a Row
Friday October 26, 2007
Since Sidney Crosby has been in the NHL, three years now,
McDonald’s Hockey Cards have only included one card of him during
his rookie season. McDonald’s hockey cards have left Sidney Crosby
out of the last two years sets completely. Find
out why Sidney Crosby isn't in the McDonald's hockey card sets here.
All Three of Crosby's Goals So Far This
Season Have Been Against The Maple Leafs
Thursday October 25, 2007
Sidney Crosby scored the first goal of tonights game against
the Toronto Maple Leafs but it wasn't enough as the Leafs beat the Penguins
5-2. In a wild third period Toronto rallied to score four goals. Crosby
has scored only three goals in the first nine games of the 2007-08 NHL
season. All three of Crosby's goals have been against the Leafs. In
addition to Crosby's goal, he picked up an assist in the third period
on a goal by Gonchar.
Sidney Crosby's Points This Season and
Last Over Eight Games
Thursday October 25, 2007
While Sidney Crosby has only scored 2 goals in the first
eight games of the 2007-08 season, he seems to be right on track to
reaching another 100 points. While Crosby may not be scoring all that
many goals, he definitely is helping the Penguins win games. So far
Sidney Crosby has been a top notch play maker. Shelly Anderson of the
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote an article today discussing this issue,
the end of the article compares Crosby's stats over the first eight
games this season and last. The article is called, "While
short on goals, Crosby still is helping Penguins win."
Sidney Crosby Gets The Assist In A Victory
Over The Rangers
Tuesday October 23, 2007
The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated The New York Rangers
1-0. The lone goal came on the power play early in the second period
by Evgeni Malkin. Ryan Whitney and Sidney Crosby both were credited
with assists on the play. This marks Crosby's 10th point of the season
and the Penguins 3rd straight win.
Sidney Crosby and The Pittsburgh Penguins
Give To Charity
Tuesday October 23, 2007
Its nice to see those more fortunate, Sidney Crosby and
The Penguins, helping others in need. Sidney Crosby and Mark Recchi
make their luxury suites at the Melon Arena available to different charities.
Tonight the Penguins, who take on the Rangers at the Melon
Arena tonight, have designated it Hockey Fights Cancer Night. Crosby
and Recchi are making their suites available to local children battling
cancer and those who have survived the horrible disease.
Yesterday Sidney Crosby and his teammates took some less
fortunate children shopping for winter clothing as part of Project Bundle
Up. A great write up on all of this can be found on The
Sidney Crosby Show Blog.
Sidney Crosby Revealed
October 22, 2007
The Versus network will be airing a special called “Sidney
Crosby Revealed” on October 22, 2007 just before and after the
Pittsburg Penguins play the New York Rangers. This program will give
a behind the scenes look at Sidney Crosby and the new NHL.
The premier is to take place at 6:30 pm ET October 22,
2007 on the Versus network based in the U.S.A. So many Canadians who
can’t get the show will be disappointed. The Versus Network website
states:
“Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby, opens up about
his phenomenal career, as well as his personal approach to hockey, being
named captain of the Penguins, his life and his family”.
Here is a short video trailer of the show.
The Crowd Boos Sidney Crosby:
Ovechkin Hit Crosby With A Hard Check In A Pittsburg Penguins Win Over
The Washington Capitals. Crosby Gets The Assist On The Game Winning
Goal.
Saturday October 20, 2007
The Washington Capitals hosted the Pittsburg
Penguins before an audience of hockey fans who booed Sidney Crosby and
Alexander Ovechkin every time they touched the puck. Capitals fans booed
Crosby whenever he touched the puck. A relatively large number of Penguins
fans in attendance responded in kind by booing Ovechkin when he touched
the puck.
Ovechkin had no mercy when it came to clashing with Crosby, as demonstrated
by a hard check delivered during the third period. There was nearly
a brawl between several players caused by several hits just after Ovechkin
checked Crosby hard early in the third period. The NHL Official web
site quoted Sidney Crosby as saying; "That was a good hit, he's
a strong guy. He plays a complete game. I don't expect him to take it
easy against anybody - especially me."
Crosby got the assist on Ryan Whitney’s game winning goal during
the Penguins power play. The Penguins beat The Capitals 2-1 in regulation
time.
Sidney Crosby’s Decisive Shootout
Goal Ends The Hurricanes 3 Game Winning Streak.
Friday October 19, 2007
Sidney Crosby added 2 more assists to his
point total for the season and scored the shootout goal which gave the
Pittsburg Penguins a 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Crosby went
from his backhand to his forehand when he scored the game winning shootout
goal.
Here is the shootout on video filmed by a
fan at the game.
Crosby Takes a Punch To The Head In a
5-4 Penguins Loss To The New Jersey Devils.
Wednesday October 17, 2007
Sidney Crosby had two assists during this
game adding two more points to his total. Devils winger Arron Asham
scored the game winning goal in the third period. Minutes later Asham
clocked Crosby with a gloved punch.
A news story posted on New Jersey’s
Star Ledger Newspaper website quoted Asham as saying; "I wasn't
going in (the corner) to do anything to him until he threw his elbow
up and hit me in the nose that’s when I lost it." Apparently
Crosby’s team mate Gary Roberts lost it too and wasn’t able
to get at Asham.
Blog Review: The Sidney Crosby Show
Sunday October 14, 2007
Even before Sidney Crosby reached the NHL
the hype that surrounded his phenomenal hockey skills labeled him the
next Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux. With the hype came criticism downplaying
the impact he would have in the NHL. Don Cherry himself bashed Crosby
early in his NHL rookie season. Now in his third NHL season, last years
MVP, has proven he is the real deal. Finding information about Sidney
Crosby on the Internet is easy, it is everywhere. The only problem is
that there is so much information on the Internet about Sidney Crosby
that takes up a lot of time trying to keep up with it all. If
there is one resource to visit its The Sidney Crosby Blog and here is
a review of what you will find there.
The Love Guru Drops The Puck as Sidney
Crosby Scores His First Two Goals of The 2007-08 NHL Season
Saturday October 13, 2007
Tonight the Pittsburg Penguins played their fourth game
of the 2007-08 NHL hockey season against the Toronto Maple Leafs at
the Air Canada Centre. Scarborough native Mike Myers, in town shooting
his latest comedy film called “The Love Guru”, dropped the
ceremonial puck. Last years MVP, Sidney Crosby, scored the winner with
5:22 left in the third period. The Penguins were victorious 6-4 against
the Toronto Maple Leafs and Sidney Crosby scored his first two goals
of the season. Read
about Sidney Crosby's first two goals this season here.
Hopefully Not Another Groin Injury For
Sidney Crosby
Monday, September 24, 2007
(updated September 30, 2007)
Crosby had to leave practice early today because of groin
soreness. The Penguins are downplaying it as nothing serious but the
last time they did that Crosby ended up missing 3 games. Sidney Crosby
sat out the final period on November 20, 2006 due to a groin injury
in a game where the Penguins polished off the Flyers 5 to 3, in his
100th NHL game. He ended up missing 3 games. How
serious is Sidney Crosby's groin pain? Find out here.
Win a Chance To Meet Sidney Crosby
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Pepsi, Lay's and Gatorade brands are giving away one prize
every hour for 56 days, including the chance to meet NHL star Sidney
Crosby. Read
more and find out how to enter here.
Sidney Crosby
Delivers Season Tickets To Penguins Fan's Homes.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Sidney Crosby delivers Penguins season tickets.
Season tickets to see the Pittsburgh Penguins this year
sold out fast, and the team decided to give a number of fans a special
thank you on Thursday.
Some fans were informed that someone would be delivering
their tickets, but they were surprised when stars like Sidney Crosby
turned up on their doorsteps.
"When I opened the door and saw him, it was unbelievable,"
said season ticket-holder Joan Kozlowski.
As a show of appreciation for the fan support, players hand-delivered
season tickets to 24 season ticket-holders throughout the Pittsburgh
area.
Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury, Ryan Whitney, Colby Armstrong
and Maxime Talbot made the deliveries to the randomly selected fans.
"Anytime you can interact like that, especially with people who
have had tickets so many years, it's a nice gesture from the players,"
said Crosby. "Hopefully, people enjoy it. It's a fun opportunity
for us."
Watch these videos of Sidney Crosby Delivering tickets...
Pittsburg Post Gazette Article: Penguins fans get an assist from Crosby
(note: these are two entirely different videos)
Sidney Crosby and Reebok showcased the
new 2007 Rbk SC87 line of footwear, apparel and hockey equipment at
Sport Chek in Mississauga, Ontario.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
This morning Reebok and NHL Most Valuable Player, Sidney
Crosby, teamed up to reveal the latest Fall 2007 apparel, footwear and
hockey equipment under the Rbk SC87 brand name. All items within this
collection feature the SC87 shield logo designed to incorporate Crosby’s
initials and jersey number. "It's an honour to have my own logo
designed after my initials and jersey number, in the colours of the
Pittsburgh Penguins", said Crosby. The launch of this brand offers
Sidney Crosby fans a chance to win a trip to see him play in Pittsburg.
Read The Full Rbk SC87
Story Here.
Sid The Kid
No More
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Happy Birthday Sidney Crosby!
Today is 08 07 2007 (87), Crosby's birthday,
jersey number, and the day he is no longer a teenager. Today Crosby
is the man. Crosby's career is about more than what he has accomplished
so far, its about what he has done at such a young age.
The Penguins
sign Sidney Crosby to a 5 Year Contract Extension.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Sidney Crosby's new contract with the Penguins works out
to about $8.7 million per year. This is a significant number not because
it is his Jersey number or date of birth but because it is less than
Crosby could have easily negotiated under the salary cap. The Pittsburg
Penguins captain obviously is more interested in what is best for his
team and bringing the Stanley Cup to Pittsburg. Read more about Sidney
Crosby's Contract Extension.
At 19 Years Old
Sidney Crosby Is The Youngest Captain In NHL History
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Prior to Sidney Crosby being named team captain, Vince
Lecavalier was the Youngest NHL captain in league history. Penguins
general manager Ray Shero posted on the team's official website saying;
"Sidney has done so much for this franchise in his first two seasons,
made so much history, that you have to keep reminding yourself that
he is only 19 years old." Read more about Sidney Crosby, the youngest
NHL team captain in history here.
SidneyCrosbySpotlight.com
is an unofficial fan tribute web site dedicated to NHL phenom Sidney
Crosby. This site is in no way affiliated, or associated with Sidney
Crosby, the NHLPA, or the National Hockey Leauge (NHL).
