Any hockey fans out there?

[ilikebasketball]

So the Detroit Redwings played in Detroit last night for game 5 with the chance to win it all and just couldnt do it. They lost to Pens 4-3 in TRIPLE OT!!!! Good lord the Wings had like a million chances on the goal last night and just couldnt get it done. It was a great game and I actually stayed up to watch the whole thing .... 3 OT's .... Crazy!!!! Although 7 goals were scored through the game, the night REALLY belonged to the two goalies. Fleury (Pens) had 55 saves out of 58 shots on goal!!! Thats amazing. And Osgood made 28 of 32 saves. Down the stretch both of these guys were just blocking tough shots left and right.

Great game. I hope the wings can put them away in Pitts ... but then again, I wouldnt mind winning it at home!

[rubalamp]

I like Parma Flyers Hockey!

[foresterfan]

Hockey fan here,

it was a great game! I too stayed up for the whole thing. Wouldn't it be amazing if Detroit, 30 seconds from winning the Cup, ended up losing in 7? Of course, the Pens have to win game 6 first.

The biggest difference in last night's game was clearly Marc-Andre Fluery. The kids is finally showing why he was a #1 overall pick. I think I should get a youtube video posted on here with his full splits toe save to keep the Pens alive. That save was ridiculous! I also have to give mad props to Ryan Malone, who took a slapshot right in the face, got right back up, went to the dressing room, stitched up his face and came back only a few minutes later. You don't see that much heart in too many athletes ...

To me, Osgood did not look good. He was giving up too many rebounds that weren't be directed to the corners, but right back in front. I thought he looked shaky, but Detroit's team defense is so good, they don't need Osgood to stand on his head, like Pittsburgh needs Fluery to.

The Pens also caught a lucky break, because without that Powerplay they weren't generating any chances. But, when your stick cuts a guy, it's a pretty easy call.

[huisrealgood]

I was flipping between the Cubs game and this game. Being a Chicago sports fan I can't root for the Red Wings so I was very pleased when the Pens won. Fluery had an amazing game, that much is for sure. I bet the Pens win in Pittsburgh and force a game 7.

[ilikebasketball]

Yeah I dont think anyone could really deny that last penalty. Your right, very easy call. I suppose your right about Osgood, I think it may have been more of the play by his defenders then himself that looked good to me.

The other thing that really made me go insane was Pitts goal with 35 SECONDS LEFT IN THE GAME!!!!!! Come on guys ... that one was just crazy.

[L-Train]

I was watching the game but finally had to call it a night after the second overtime ended because I had to work in the morning. I set the DVR to record the rest of the game and what I was hoping was the post-game celebration. Unfortunately that will have to wait. Fluery was absolutely phenomenal. I know through the 2nd OT the Wings had like 50+ shots on goal. I hope the Wings can put it away on Wednesday. As foresterfan said, to be 30 seconds away from a Stanley Cup championship and lose would be pure torture.

[knaveljm]

Big Penguins fan here living near Pittsburgh! Great game last night and I stayed up to watch the whole thing as well. The Penguins have definitely caught the interest level of Western Pennsylvania sports fans again this year. It's amazing to think that this team was basically gone from Pittsburgh and now they are firmly entrenched as the No. 2 team in Western Pa. (after the Steelers!).

[foresterfan]

Here's the save:
ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DUjz8LCssq0

Notice right after the save, Gonchar goes right into the boards and hurts his shoulder. He only played 4 minutes after that (that save was in the 3rd, I think) and finally returned for the powerplay in triple OT when the winner was scored.

Here's the puck in the face:
ca.youtube.com/watch?v=UGhUbYQKieg

Why does the ref try to touch the cut? And what was Hal Gill thinking ripping that shot so high with his own guy in front of the net? As the video mentions, Malone already broke his nose in the series and then gets this one in the face too. Poor guy.

[huisrealgood]

Jun 3, 2008 9:48:59 GMT -5 knaveljm said:

It's amazing to think that this team was basically gone from Pittsburgh and now they are firmly entrenched as the No. 2 team in Western Pa. (after the Steelers!).

What's their competition? The Pirates? ;D

[foresterfan]

Jun 3, 2008 9:48:59 GMT -5 knaveljm said:

The Penguins have definitely caught the interest level of Western Pennsylvania sports fans again this year. It's amazing to think that this team was basically gone from Pittsburgh and now they are firmly entrenched as the No. 2 team in Western Pa. (after the Steelers!).

Now all they need is a new arena. Mellon Arena (the Igloo) is the oldest in hockey, and is one of the smallest too. That place is kind of dumpy. I went to a Leafs vs. Penguins game there a couple of years ago and the power went out in the middle of the game! Twice!

But, a good recipe for this solution is winning and having the game's most marketable player.

[knaveljm]

Yeah, the Pirates would be about the only competition, but even two years ago you could argue that the Pirates were ahead of the Penguins. Of course, you've got Pitt football (OK, never mind that) and some other college stuff. There are a lot of Cleveland fans around too and the Cavs are pretty high on the interest meter, but I think the Penguins are even ahead of them. Plus there's DI Mercyhurst College women's hockey, which is one of the best programs in the country in women's hockey! (OK, I'm just plugging that since I work for them -- they are good, but definitely aren't high on the interest level)

And Mellon Arena is a dump. I remember going there as a kid about 25 years ago. In this day and age, it's pretty remarkable that a city has kept an arena that long. Hopefully the powers-that-be see the benefit of the Penguins in the region and can get a new arena pushed through.

[huisrealgood]

What about Penn State football? Isn't that pretty high?

[knaveljm]

Good point...Penn State football is pretty high on the list, but it's really more contained in-season. Haven't heard a lot of JoePa talk in awhile.

[huntington fan]

I think there's a new arena on the drawing board for the Pens - not sure how far along the process is, but if you googled "Penguins new arena" you'd probably get way more information than you want.

Yes, the Pens' following has surpassed that of the Pirates, but it's the winning that makes the difference. If the Pirates can ever put a winning product on the field, western PA will support them, I think. Right now, though, it's Steelers #1 by a long shot, then Pens competing with Penn State, then Mercyhurst women's hockey , then the Pirates and Pitt football battling for the cellar bragging rights.

[ilikebasketball]

Jun 3, 2008 9:50:45 GMT -5 foresterfan said:

Here's the save:
ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DUjz8LCssq0

Notice right after the save, Gonchar goes right into the boards and hurts his shoulder. He only played 4 minutes after that (that save was in the 3rd, I think) and finally returned for the powerplay in triple OT when the winner was scored.

Here's the puck in the face:
ca.youtube.com/watch?v=UGhUbYQKieg

Why does the ref try to touch the cut? And what was Hal Gill thinking ripping that shot so high with his own guy in front of the net? As the video mentions, Malone already broke his nose in the series and then gets this one in the face too. Poor guy.

Good finds! That save was seriously just sick! Amazing .... absolutely amazing!

And about Malone .... poor guy is right. What a tough guy though!