Pens/Flyers Game 4 photo gallery

(Click the photo to see the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review photo gallery.)

Daniel Briere's photo was removed from the side of a milk carton tonight.

He accepted a challenge Philadelphia coach John Stevens sent his way. Briere scored a big goal to give the Flyers a little wiggle room on their way to a 4-2 victory over the Penguins. Briere and goaltender Martin Biron did the heavy lifting to stave-off elimination from the playoffs.

Jordan Staal, who spent the series off day flying home to Thunder Bay, Ontario to attend his grandfather's funeral, scored two third period goals to shrink the Flyers lead to one.

Pens/Flyers Game 3 photo gallery

Click on the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's photo gallery - work produced by Chaz Palla & Christopher Horner - these two shooters have been having a great playoff season.

Not so random numbers...

• The Penguins are one of only four teams in the history of the NHL that won 11 out of their first 12 games.

• Sidney Crosby leads the NHL in scoring with 19 (4+15).

• Evgeni Malkin is tied for second with 18 (8+10).

• Marc-Andre Fleury leads the playoffs with 11 wins.

• Everyone on the team except Fleury has made the scoresheet. With an assist on Marian Hossa's empty net goal, Hal Gill became the last player to get a point. Pittsburgh is the only remaining team to have every skater on the stats board.

They gotta have Hart ... and Smith

The Flyers head back to Philly - banged-up, but not beaten. They have officially moved to using desperate measures.

Time to roll out the Lauren Hart and Kate Smith God Bless America duet.

For the record, Hart is the best anthem singer in North America.

Yeah, it's been done this year, but we want to see it again.

Most assuredly, Versus won't broadcast the anthem ... even if Smith came back from the grave to sing it, so we've included the youtube link.

Did we mention that Hart is the best anthem singer in North America?

Pens/Flyers Game 2 photo gallery

Here's some great photos from tonight's game.

Another puck, without the Penguins logo

The Penguins are using the 20th different official game puck in team history.

Not many people will get an up close peak at the pucks used exclusively for the Pens-Flyers Eastern Conference Finals.

Here's a closer look at this year's playoff puck. You can see all the other styles used throughout the years on that page too.

The road to the White House

The Mellon Arena was glowing in white again tonight for the opening of the Eastern Conference Final duel between cross-state rivals – and continued a streak of 62 consecutive sellouts.

Not much orange to be found, except a few seat backs that were visible for the first few minutes of the second and third periods between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers.

Outside, the crowd grew again despite the inclement weather. The crowd outside the Mellon around 8:45 p.m. was dangerously close to the crowd at PNC Park for the Pirates-Braves match-up. Two fans outside the arena were clutching their Willie Stargell bobbleheads when Evgeni Malkin scored with 6.5 seconds remaining in the second period.

Inside? Basically a sea of white - except for the few Philly fans. The largest Flyer representation had to be in section C-27 where the Umberger clan was parked in two rows. RJ's parents, Rick and Roseann Umberger, were very noticeable walking through the concourse. Many fans couldn't help but notice them. Most of the comments addressed to them were cordial enough while some people made jeers just because of their jerseys. Only one fan knew exactly who they were and still made some off-color remarks. 

That person must have been role-playing as a Philadelphian. Class act.

YO! What's up with Rocky?

Not since The Italian Stallion was filmed has this much attention been given to Rocky's clothing issues.

Rocky was dressed in a Sidney Crosby shirt and was blindfolded with Pens logo t-shirt.

Certainly not an original idea - last week some brave Canadiens fans slipped a Habs sweater on the Philadelphia icon - but this week Penguins fans responded to a dare on a craigslist posting and here's the photographic evidence.

Here's the lowdown on the Rocky caper.

No need to worry about protecting any of the statues here in Pittsburgh.  A Flyers fan that attempts to cover the face of Willie Stargell or Roberto Clemente will only be doing the right thing to prevent further embarrassment of viewing the circus inside PNC Park.

Pittsburgh doesn't have a statue dedicated to Darren McCord from Sudden Death ... he actually had some playoff experience...Tolliver!!!!!

Perfection ends, Jagr continues

We somehow thought that Game 4 might end with Jaromir Jagr handing off the torch to Sidney Crosby like Wayne Gretzky did for Jagr when The Great One ended his career at Madison Square Garden in 1999...

Didn't happen. Series now at three-games-to-one. Game 5 on at the Mellon Arena on Sunday.

Fact is, Jagr didn't quit – scored two goals and had one assist to make goalie Henrik Lundqvist's 29 saves hold up for his second shutout of the playoffs.

Hidden stats: The Penguins have been so balanced in scoring only defenseman Hal Gill is pointless.

And, um, the only Penguins player without a penalty this post-season?   ...  Georges Laraque.

The streak continues (with apologies to Nathan Smith)

The Penguins are perfect in the playoffs. Tonight's 5-3 win over the New York Rangers wasn't textbook playoff hockey, but it was good enough to erase a sloppy second period to take a stranglehold on the series.

This is not like the New England Patriots flirting with a perfect season. They don't have to be perfect; tt is reassuring to know that the Pens can still afford to loose three games in this series, and three games in the next two series.

It is also reassuring to know that of the 11 teams that started 7-0 in the the playoffs – eight went on to win the Stanley Cup. Strangely, the last team to pull that off was the 1994 New York Rangers.

As for Nathan Smith, who played 13 games this year with the Pens, well...here's the story on his streak.

Fleury's "cup checks" keeping focus on the Cup

Marc-Andre Fleury is starting to focus like a championship caliber goaltender.  His play between the pipes has been spectacular.  His play between the legs of opponents has been perfect. 

Just ask Martin Lapointe, or  Sean Avery.

Fleury, usually the mild-mannered netminder,  has "grown a set" by delivering a stick to the "set" of Lapointe and Avery.

Unsportsmanlike?  Yeah, so what?  Just ask players that stood  in front of Billy Smith, Ron Hextall or Tom Barrasso if they ever felt comfortatble in front of the crease?  It's part of the edge a goalie needs to focus on the bigger Cup.

Fleury is starting to develop a swagger and other players are starting to notice.

"Even if you are wearing a (protective) cup and you get hit like that, it hurts like hell," Bob Errey commented after Lapointe was rung up in the first series.

White-Out almost a whitewash

The Penguins spotted the New York Rangers a 3-0 lead in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Looked like all the Rangers had to do was dot the "I"s and cross the "T"s.

But Jarkko Ruutu erased the shutout and the rally started.  Four unanswered goals, capped by a Sidney Crosby slapper that bounced of Evgeni Malkin's shin into the net behind Henrik Lundqvist with 1:41 left in regulation.

The game had the same feel as the Game 1 of the 1992 Stanley Cup Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks when Jaromir Jagr tied the game late and Mario Lemieux beat Ed Belfour with 0:12 seconds left.  By the way, that was the only other time the Pens erased a three goal deficit in the postseason.

The White-Out won't soon be erased from our memories.

"How sweep it is!"

Highlights from the Pittsburgh Penguins four game sweep of the Ottawa Senators. Posted by steelcityassault... No commentary needed here ... great editing...great song!

Bulletin board material

They don't have bulletin boards big enough.

Someone in the Ottawa Senators organization thought an oversized image of the handshake after last years Pens-Sens series would intimidate the Penguins.

The image is placed near the Pens dressing room in Scotiabank Place.

Sens Coach Bryan Murray denied any involvement.

More pucks than you can shake a stick at...

The Penguins established a post-season franchise record for putting 54 pucks on net tonight (in regulation) against the Ottawa Senators, surpassing the mark of 49 set on April 26, 1970 against the St. Louis Blues.

Speaking of a lot of pucks, the Penguins introduced the 19th Official Game Puck in team history.

Not many people will get an up close peak at the pucks. In our "unofficial tally," we counted at least 18 pucks that left the playing surface from the ice or were flipped over the glass when an errant puck made its way onto a team bench in Game 1 & 2.

Here's a link to a closer look at this year's playoff puck. You can see all the other styles used throughout the years on that page too.

LWGRD?

Look What Gary Roberts Did: He scored two goals and played a very physical game to help the Pens dominate the Ottawa Senators, 4-0, in the series opener.

Roberts started writing the final chapter in for his career's storyline with an impressive, opening round playoff game against his favorite whipping boys.

Roberts has tortured the Senators by scoring 14 of his 32 playoff goals against the very team that tried to acquire him at last season's trade deadline. 

The Hollywood-like script started a mere :68 seconds into the game when Roberts pushed a backhand past Ottawa's Martin Gerber from six feet out and later scored from the edge of the crease.

  

This was Roberts second game back after missing three months with a broken leg and a high-ankle sprain.  Not quite the legend of Toronto's Bobby Baun, who returned from a broken leg to score an overtime goal in the 1964 Stanley Cup Finals, but Robert's grit has become legendary.

Roberts played like there is no tomorrow, because there might not be an NHL tomorrow after this season.  Roberts turns 42 next month and he's simply adding to his legend with performances like tonight. Roberts became the oldest player in NHL history to score two goals in a playoff game.

The 26-stop shutout turned in by Marc-Andre Fleury was crucial, but Roberts rang the opening bell and answered the call.  He deserved to be named the Number One Star.

It's not a coincidence that Roberts has "WARRIOR" branded on his stick and gloves. He plays the role well.

Pittsburgh loves a bad ass like Gary Roberts.

Western Pennsylvania no longer interested in Senators Clinton and Obama

Senators Hillary Clinton & Barack Obama are no longer the focus of Western Pennsylvania.

The primary focus is on the Ottawa Senators - yeah, the same Sens that eliminated the Pens from the playoffs last year in five games .

At least the Penguins will have one banner to raise next season, to mark their first Atlantic Division Championship.

The next banner chase will start on Wednesday night so it could be possible to see a Game 7 there on April 22...the same day as the Pennsylvania presidential primary.

We'll see how different this year's Pens will match-up against Bryan Murray's Senators who are mired in mediocre goaltending and are without captain Daniel Alfredsson, Mike Fisher & Chris Kelly.

This year's Pens finished first overall in the Atlantic Division, charging back from the bottom of the division - the Pens were in last place with 15 points on November 13.

Here's to the fall of the skating Senators.

"Et tu, Bryan."

The numbers game... Part deux

The old sports cliche says a starter shouldn't loose his job because of an injury, but what about his number?

Adam Hall will be back in the lineup tonight wearing number 28. He used to wear 18 before his sports hernia. While he was busy mending, Pens' equipment manager Dana Heinze was busy   mending a new #18 jersey for Marian Hossa.

Hall was gracious and surrendered his number to Hossa - who wore that number in Atlanta before a trade deadline deal.

TRIVIA: Two current Penguins now wear a different number than their original number issued to them. Who are they?

For a hint look at our all-time Penguins uniform number roster, click here.

If you still didn't come up with the answer, scroll down to the February 27 entry to find the answer.

Greater Latrobe Wins State Championship

The Greater Latrobe Ice Cats are state champions.

Latrobe skated away with the Pennsylvania Cup after being crowned state champions in the Class AA High School Hockey Championship by defeating the Conestoga Pioneers, 3-2, today at the Cambria County War Memorial in Johnstown, PA.

The State Championship game-winning goal was scored by JeffJoe Regula. Latrobe also had goals from Alex Stahl and Zack LaDuke.  The Ice Cats had a solid goaltending effort from Nick Loyacona, who stopped 33 shots from the Pioneers. 

This was the first state championship won by the Ice Cats in their 28 year history and the second team championship in Greater Latrobe's history. 

The Ice Cats were the only Penguins Cup Champions (Western Pennsylvania) to win in the state final:

CLASS A - Quaker Valley lost to West Chester East, 3-2, in the Class A game. QV's goals came from Noah Zamagias and Colin South.

CLASS AAA - Pine-Richland lost to LaSalle, 9-1, in the last game of the Cup Series.

Goal lights, camera, action!

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that scenes involving the Penguins - Islanders game will be filmed for an upcoming movie starring Jimmy Miller.  

Should be a great thing that showcases the old gray lady.

For those that might know about the other motion pictures shot at the Mellon (Civic) Arena, two other movies featured the Igloo:  The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh, and Sudden Death.

Flower, in the springtime

Any doubt what goaltender Michel Therrien gives the nod to when they playoffs start next week?

The Pens will count on Marc-Andre Fleury.  No surprise.

Ty Conklin has been an incredible backup.  He landed the plane when the real pilot was knocked out, but it's time to take off again.

Fleury has been hot.  Red hot. 

His last four games: 4-0-0,  save percentage =.945 and a 1.5 goals against average.

Tonight he turned away all 31 New York Islanders' shots to earn his fourth shutout of the season. 

Fleury's career total is now 11 in 168 games (.065) - exactly half of the club record held by Tom Barrasso. Tommy B had 22 shutouts in 458 games (.048).  

No doubt Barrasso was a proven star in the playoffs.  Even Mario Lemieux admitted that Barrasso deserved the Conn Smythe in 1992.

In 1991 Barrasso  entered the playoffs with .896 save percentage an and in 1992 he averaged .885.  Fleury is parked around .916 heading to this post season.

Can the Flower bloom deep into Spring?

EDITED: 4-1-08; other folks have noticed this: Fleury named number two star of the NHL for March.

Pittsburgh - Philadelphia Super Series?

Here's to the most potentially super-charged rivalry.

The Flyers and Penguins play an unprecedented NINE consecutive games?

Here's the goofy - but simple - scenario that makes it a possibility:

The standings stay exactly the way they are now. The Penguins end up finishing in second and the Flyers in seventh place.  That would mean a first round match-up between, you guessed it, the Pens and Flyers.  A First/Eighth scenario is just as likely.

Here's a peak at the remaining Penguins' schedule.

It would take a seven game series to to run the total to nine in a row.  Imagine that.

Hope Lauren Hart and Jeff Jimmerson have their voices rested. 

St. Francis Hospital bites the dust

It took ten seconds to implode the former St. Francis Central Hospital.

The area is really taking shape for Pittsburgh's newest arena and the "official" groundbreaking is likely to coincide with the first home playoff game.

The Penguins plan to move into the new arena during the 2010-11 season.

Greater Latrobe wins Penguins Cup Final

Great Western Pennsylvania hockey tonight and congrats to Penguins Cup Champion Greater Latrobe Ice Cats.

The game was a tight, drama packed Class AA final between Latrobe and Franklin Regional that took overtime to crown the champion.

Congrats to the Pittsburgh Penguins, too. Their dedication to youth hockey is top-notch.  Attention was paid to every detail - especially the white-gloved cup presenter.

Latrobe's Jeff Rossi, who recently returned to the line-up after an injury, scored once in regulation and the game-winner in overtime.

Rossi's goal was a clean goal; the kind you are proud to score and not embarrassed by if you give it up.  He shot on Franklin Regional's Anthony Livecchi and then collected his own rebound.

And then the coolest thing happened: Livecchi collected the puck from his goal and gave it to Rossi. 

Very sportsmanlike.  Very classy.

Click here for the Tribune-Review's slideshow from the game.

Wishing you a Happy Craig Patrick's Day

Let's pause to remember the luck of the Irish.

We can all be thankful that then Penguins' VP and General Manager Craig Patrick brought a four-leaf clover to Draft Day on July 22, 2005 to luck-out by the Pens drawing ping-pong ball #12 to win the Sidney Crosby Lottery.

Aside from Craig, the Penguins have had four other "Patricks" 

on the team: Boileau, Lalime, Lebeau, & Neaton.  Check the all-time roster page for this.

Patrick's shamrock wasn't the first one related to hockey in the Steel City...the

Pittsburgh Shamrocks played for only one season here - 1935-36 - in the International Hockey League.

New arena sold out?

One year ago today Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl joined Pittsburgh Penguins co-owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle and announced a deal for a new multi-purpose arena to keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh for at least the next 30 years. The Mellon Arena, with a seating capacity at 16,940, has been full ever since. Every game this season has attracted a standing-room-only sellout crowd.

The Penguins will set a franchise record tonight for consecutive sellouts in one season at 35 and run the total to 48 consecutive sellouts at the Mellon Arena. The current streak surpasses the high attendance marks following the Stanley Cup wins in 1991 & 1992.

The team has more than 1,000 people on the waiting list for season tickets - most wanting a least a pair of season tickets. If the Pens don't hold any seats back, the new 18,500 seat Mellon BONY Arena will be sold out before the foundation is even poured.