Spending Mother's Day with Sid the Kid

I basically relaxed and did just about NOTHING today except eat, drink, shop and read. But I made sure that dinner was over and done with by 7:30 in order to be in front of the TV to watch the Battle of PA. And what a game it was.

As soon as it started and they showed the packed arena, I couldn’t help but just sit back and say “Wow!” That’s what playoff hockey looks like. It’s amazing. Is it really true that the address is 66 Mario Lemieux Place? Sorry, but to me, that’s cool as well. And in looking at their website, there’s actually a tab for “Season Ticket Waiting List.” Wait, let me repeat that… the OLDEST building in the NHL has a WAITING list for Season Tickets. I guess that’s what happens when you have about the brightest stars in the league playing under one roof.

Only two minutes after this game started there was blood on the ice. A deflected puck smashed the face of Braydon Coburn and he lay on the ice with both gloves over his face while blood dripped to the ice. He did not return to the lineup.

Within minutes of the ice being scraped and play resuming, Upshall and Kennedy broke into a brawl more like a bar fight that spilled into the streets. They were possessed and neither was backing down. Both ended up in the box. With all the stoppages it was easy to see this game was going to be far longer than expected.

I am very impressed with Dupuis. He made some beautiful moves weaving in and out of traffic, passing the puck through legs and picking up his own pass. Actually all the passing is amazing to see. They just KNOW where to find their line mates.

I was dismayed to see Downie back in the line up after he had been out for the last three games, but his shifts are limited since he only seems to have one purpose: Agitating. I don’t like him.
Now for all of those out there who have this conspiracy theory that the NHL wants Sidney Crosby in the finals, and some other unpleasant comments that NBC is the “Nothing But Crosby” network, let me just say if that was truly the case, then the war room would have given Sid the goal that he was robbed of that hit Hatcher in the head and then tapped the post and just squeaked on it’s side past Biron, but his glove obstructed the camera’s view, though any mathematician could have proven it’s position over the line. It took forever for Toronto to determine “No Goal” and Sid was disappointed of course, as he KNEW it was over the line and Biron sold the save.

The Pens had chance after chance taken away from them with Malkin’s broken stick on the ice interfering and killing at least 3 chances for the Penguins to capitalize on a power place with seconds ticking off the end of the first.

When Jeff Carter tied it at 1 in the 2nd period, it was a brand new Hockey game and Sydney seemed to be energized, but Hartnell picked up a pass that was meant for Dupuis. It was beautiful if it had worked. Sydney slowed down, spun around and passed right to Dupuis coming in on Biron, but Hartnell got his stick there first. Not to worry, Hossa took the lead at 13:43 of the second on the power play. Thinking this game was in the bag, I started to search the internet and read threads on my NYIC message board. That was a mistake.

With only 23 seconds left of the 2nd, Mike Richards managed a short handed goal that just shocked Fleury. Again, it was anyone’s game. I guess I should pay more attention. But I didn’t pay attention and I missed an unusual “Let’s give the Goalie a penalty for trying to keep guys out of his crease” penalty on Biron. I can’t fault Biron for taking a whack at Ruutu. Biron got 2 for roughing and Ruutu 2 for diving, it went well with his last penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct to end the 2nd. If Biron had to take the penalty, he should have made it more worth his while.
Maxine Talbot made it 3 -2 on a Downie turnover at 11:09 of the third. I may not like Downie, but if he wants to help the Pens win, I’ll say “Thanks. “ It turned out to be the game winner even though Jordan Staal added an empty netter at 28.8 left of the third.

Game Over at 10:26 pm EST at 4 - 2. Pens are now 2-0 for the series and heading into Philly.
Ok. Are you wondering why this Islander Uber Fan is writing about this one? Simple. A) Boredom B) It IS hockey C) Rob Scuderi IS an Islander (sort of).

And as outlined in Newsday today, if the Penguins go on to win the Stanley Cup this year; Rob Scuderi will be the first Long Islander to have his name inscribed on it. That fact alone is reason to root for a Penguins win! Let’s give hockey on Long Island a little shot in the arm and let all those kids currently in youth programs all across LI have something to dream of!