Every Slide There'll Be Pittsburgh Pride

LETS GO BUCS

GAME DAY: Game #78 Pittsburgh Penguins @ Tampa Bay Lightning - 7:30PM EST

Game Day after the jump.........

All We Need is Just a Little Patience: sotd 3.31.11

So we all read the news yesterday, Sid is traveling and participating in morning skates with the team! Rejoice!! Lord Stanley is ours once again!! Will he play tonight? Saturday? Tuesday!? 1'st round!?!? WHEN!?!?

Well if Shero and Bylsma made anything clear in the article, it's that nothin' is clear. Not yet anyways. Not for us at the very least, and probably not for anyone on the Pens staff either.

I know, it is very frustrating to get the positive updates, only to be told to stem our excitement and not get our hopes up. If Sid can play anytime soon, they aren't sayin'. If he can play at all this year remains to be seen, which brings me to my song of the day.

On this day back in 1989 G'n'R released easily one of their top 5 best singles. Now the team here at 5G5W wants Sid back as much as anybody. We want another run at Lord Stanley so bad we can taste the sweat, spit and beer sloshing around in that shiney silver cup. But for now we have to sit and wait and see what will be Sid's fate, and ours. So i urge you all...have a little patience.

BASEBALL STARTS TODAY

Although the buccos won't open their season until tomorrow at 2:20 in Chicago, playing the cubs, i will chalk today up as our first .500 or better day of our 2011 season. Disagree? Leave us a comment below. Prior to the grapefruit league getting underway this year, I boldly announced our (my) beloved buccos, under the management of Mr. Clint Hurdle would find a way to pull out a 74-88 record. For those who know me, know that I dream big. With that said, I am sticking to my guns! Pirates end this year 74-88, looking to get above .500 in the following season....jussayin'. I for one am planning on breaking my own attendance record this season (no definite number that i can remember, but i'm shooting for 12-15 games). i enjoy the ballpark, my friends company and drinking beer, even at the incredibly overpriced rate at PNC and any other ballpark enough to make it happen. It also helps, that I can usually snag some comp tickets from a friend. Thanks, Noah. With that said, I encourage the readers and followers of this blog to join me in having a good time with friends at what i still consider the greatest ballpark in MLB. It may even bring us buccos fans more wins than we even expect/hope for. See you there

No Mas Presents: Dock Ellis & The LSD No-No by James Blagden

Buccos in two days

Crosby Cleared To Participate In Morning Skates

PENS.COM

Its the next step. Dealing with contact will be the major one. Regardless big news and good news to hear for all fellow Pens fans.

Light the Song With Sense and Color: sotd 3.30.11

Don't worry, dear beleaguered and beaten down Pitt hoops fans! The Pete doesn't stay dark for long. The Peterson Event Center Concert Series brings light and life back to the gymnasium set on the hillside above Pitt campus tonight.

Further will be taking the stage, and we can all bask in the love light that Captain Trips has left as a beacon for us. All heads great and small, young and old, can still shake it to the groovy legacy left behind by Jerry Garcia.

Further's line-up boasts orignal Grateful Dead memebers Phil and Bobby, as well as some stellar percussion from jamband stalwart, Joe Russo. And of course the bands most important recent addition, their new "Jerry," John Kadlecik.

So listen up kiddies, just cause ol' Jer-bear is gone, doesn't mean it's too late to buy the ticket and take the ride. The bus is here so jump on board, friends. It is a long strange trip, that you don't want to miss.

So I will leave you now with a Jerry opus. Even though he's gone and nothin's gonna bring him back, he is still the reason for the celebration. It is his legacy that Further, and all of us, are carrying on.

PENS LOSE: Philly Wins 5-2

Get real.

Suck it if you expect a recap about some bullshit goals.

What's there to say? sotd 3.29.11

Second game against the Flyers in a week. You read it in the game day post. You read it before last week's match up. We all know how we feel and how important it is. I dont need to tell you.

So today im just gonna take the song in a random direction, and since i missed yesterday, I'm gonna give you a little bonus.

Here is a little discovery of mine from over the weekend. I'm pretty late to the party on this, so some of you may already be hip to this stuff. It is an indie band from the mid-90s called Neutral Milk Hotel. Take a few minutes to forget about the playoffs and the Flyers and the injuries and just get a little blissed out.

GAME DAY: Game #77 - Philadelphia Flyers @ Pittsburgh Penguins - 7:00PM EST

Game Day after the jump.....

WE WANNA HEAR FROM YOU!!

While 5goals5ways is only just a few weeks old, but we've  been very happy with the responses we have been getting from readers. Thank you so much to everyone who has been reading our posts!

While we enjoy writing on this blog, what really would turn this place into the "blog to be" would be interaction from you the readers. This way its not just us running the content on this site.

We highly encourage you the readers to become an official follower he on the blog. Fire away with your own thoughts in the comments section and participate in polls. We would love to hear what things you guys and girls would like to see us do here on the blog.

In the near future we plan to try to make the site very follower friendly by doing contests, giveaways, etc..

Follow us on twitter for all your 5goals5ways news and updates.

@CurryDewhirst
@jiggaman412
@chuter412

Once again thank you for reading our blog we appreciate you spending your time on here, but we want to hear from yinz as well!

Shootout Specialist: Pens Edge Panthers 2-1 in Shootout

The game wasn't an entertaining one to watch. The Pens for the second game in a row struggled offensively, but once again the story was all about Fleury and the defense. They have stepped up immensely. Would it be a stretch to say Fleury has at least entered people's minds as a potential Hart trophy candidate? The Pens gave him the honor of naming him team MVP yesterday.

Fleury named MVP

Recap after the jump.......

Sunday Funday: sotd 3.27.11

Nothin better than a Sunday morning home game! We got Sid on the horizon and we are one win away from clenching the playoff spot!!

So here is a little something to help you get your day started. An easy classic, but with a Mike Patton twist to it. No I dont think they got it over the Commodores. Yes those are a bunch of trannies in the video. Keep your eyes open for the guitar solo.

Please do whatever you gotta do to get your head right on a Sunday morning and enjoy

Fleury Stars in Shutout Victory Over Devils: 1-0 (SO)

When the Pens lost Crosby and Malkin back in January and February you knew this team was going to be hard pressed to find the back of the net. One player who has needed to step up was Marc-Andre Fleury and he has. Last night was more proof that Fleury has done just that.

Recap after the jump.........

Jeff Ament has a new band: sotd 3.26.11

Today i simply want to share some new music from an old friend. Around here at 5G5W we got some serious Pearl Jam devotees. When any of the members is doing anything PJ related or otherwise, you can guarantee we are all over it. Right now Ament is out there doin' his thing with a new project called Tres Mts. For the album, Jeff and two Seattle scenester buddies of his, dUg Pinnick of King's X and Richard Stuverud of the fastback, recorded as a trio. For the currently under way, all too brief, and unfortunately nowhere near Pittsburgh tour, they brought along pal Mike McCready. The album has been on heavy rotation around my household. Here is a nice taste of the bros rockin' it out. Hope you like.

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon - Tres Mts.: My Baby (3/24/11) - Video - NBC.com

GAME DAY: Game #75 - New Jersey Devils @ Pittsburgh Penguins - 7:00pm EST

Read the rest of the game day after the jump....

PENS WIN: Close Gap On Atlantic Lead

The Pens have struggled to put together a full 60 minutes of hockey for awhile. Last night in Philly they strung one of those games together and pulled out a shootout victory. The win picks up a point on the Flyers, and if it wasn't for Bobrovsky standing on his head the Pens would have taken two points outright.

Cant enjoy this win for too long though as the Devils come to Consol tonight.

In the first the Pens dictated the play but a centered puck in the Pens zone hit off of Mike Richards and somehow found its way past Fleury. 1-0 Flyers.

Jeffrey goes down in the corner and did not look good coming off the ice. Hopefully nothing long term, but it looked bad.

Nodl takes a penalty with under a minute left in the 1st. Kunitz drives down the wing in the start of the 2nd, finds Kennedy in the slot and he wires home his 18th of the season. Huge second half of the season for Kennedy. Pens finally got a PP goal too. 1-1.

The last 38 minutes of the game were back and forth but the Pens carried the play for the most part. Fleury and Bobrovsky answer each other save for save. It would have been nice to get 2 points outright, but no dice. 

In OT the Pens with Staal, Neal, Letang, and Lovejoy had an incredible shift. Carried the play the entire shift. Neal to Staal between the legs to Letang would have brought the Wells Fargo Center down, but Letang missed the net and for the second game straight we go to the shootout.

Leino - Save Fleury

Letang - Missed wide

Giroux - Saved Fleury

Kovalev - Silky move = Goal

Briere - Goes 5-hole somehow = Goal

Neal - Goes for the Forsberg - Save Bobrovsky

Richards - Sucks - Save Fleury

Kunitz - Comes down the side - Fake shot 5-hole move...

GAME.

Three Stars:

3rd - C. Kunitz

2nd - T. Kennedy

1st - S. Bobrovsky (he played well but thats a joke)

Game Highlights:

Fire up the Weekend!! sotd 3.25.11

It's Friday night. Second night of back to back games. Pens beat Detroit this week. Pens beat Philly this week. We're starting our last home stand of the season and we are starting it against New Jersey. They're gonna try to drag it out. They're gonna try to drag us down.

But we know what's at stake, and we know what we're chasing. Every point counts now, every game and every shift. Every shot, every hit. And every fan.

It's time for some ENERGY! It's time to get EXCITED!! Let's get PUMPED!!! It's FRIIIDAAAY!!!

Crosby Skates Again - Says **** You To Water Bottle

Crosby Skates

The Eastern Conference just breathed a collective "we're ****ed"

Pretty Much Sums It Up: Song of the Day 3.24.11

You ever been to Philly? It literally is physically nauseating. Trash in the streets and gutters, foul odors, brackish sludge oozing. And the folks too, bad attitudes and frustrating ignorance powerful enough to put you off your lunch.

Maybe I'm stooping here. Maybe I'm just stirring the pot. But hey, when something is just so true, it's not right to obscure the facts...I hate you, Philadelphia

GAME DAY: Game # 74 - Pittsburgh Penguins @ Philadelphia Flyers - 7:00pm EST

WHERE:

Season Series:

Flyers lead 3-1.

Last Meeting:

This ended the Pens 12 game winning streak back in December.

Pittsburgh Lines:

Kunitz ---- Staal ---- Kennedy
Neal ------ Jeffrey--- Kovalev
Connor --- Talbot ----- Dupuis
Rupp ---- Adams ------Asham

Niskanen ----- Letang
Martin -------- Michalek
Engelland ---- Lovejoy

Fleury
Johnson

Philadelphia Lines:

Hartnell ------ Briere ------- Leino
Nodl --------- Giroux ------- Carter
vanRiemsdyk - Richards - Versteeg
Carcillo --------- Betts ------- Powe

Timonen ---- Coburn
Carle --------Meszaros
O'Donnell----Boynton

Bobrovsky
Boucher


The Pens (42-23-8) (92 pts) and Flyers (44-19-9) (97 pts) renew acquaintances for the first time in over 3 months. This game is practically a must win for the Pens if they are going to hold onto hopes in overtaking the Flyers for 1st in the Atlantic Division.

The Pens are slowly regaining guys back from injury. Orpik is making the trip but no word if he'll play Thursday in Philly or home on Friday. Tangradi and Comrie also have continued skating and have rejoined the team in practice.

Its been two and a half months of Crosby-less hockey for the Pens and they have remarkably kept within 5 points of the Flyers. This team has shown character and tonight's game should have a playoff atmosphere.

Speaking of atmosphere, welcome to Philly...

Ahh, Flyers fans....they walk the thin line between adorably ignorant and plain idiotic. Correction that is not a thin line, but they encompass both traits with flying colors.

This is one of two games remaining between the two teams and a critical 8 points total in the standings that could be won or lost.

Pens - Flyers Moment of Bliss:

Flyers Suck

LETS GO PENS

Flyer Fans and Their Weird Obsession with Crosby Sucking

Recently, a young Pens fan asked me an intriguing question:

"On Thursday, will Flyer Fans still chant 'Crosby sucks!', even though he's not playing?"

"Yes," I said. Of course they will. Any gullible child or a smart monkey can be trained to remember two

auto-erotic, xenophobic, semi-homo words. I

t's all Flyer fans got these days kid." (see photo---->)

"But why don't they cheer for their team," he insisted, "Why do they want Crosby to suck?"

"That's a question you'll have to ask Mike Richards and Pierre McGuire," I laughed, "but I'll tell you about the accursed Flyer fan. "Taught to recite the words, '

Crosby sucks!'

at birth, young Flyer fans, weaned from their mother's teat at the plump age of fifteen are sent out on their own. For the rest of their lives these poor bastards will be subject to incalculable loss and humiliation beyond which any Pens fan has ever experienced."

This author believes that the Flyers, as well as their fans will soon remember whose division they're playing in.

Prediction: Thurs. 4-24-11

Pens : 4

@Flyers: 2 (F)

Eye of Sheron Watching New Additions

Thanks to 24/7, we all know the eye of Sheron is constantly watching, judging, and apparently grading his players on their performance each night. I regret to inform you that two new Pens have fallen under Shero's unwavering eye.

James Neal, (aka Nealer or J-Nealz) and Alexi Kovalev (Kovi) must step up their game, particularly on the PP. They've only managed a goal a piece since their pre-deadline arrivals, and though other aspects of their game have proved to be valuable additions heading into the playoffs, these two need to start finding the back of the net.

Speaking of the power play, did I see James Neal on the point against Detroit or did I ingest a powerful hallucinogen before Monday's game? The lidless Eye of Sheron does not sleep.......

The Bitch is Back! Song of the Day 3.23.11

Tonight, Mario shares the Pens new home with an old star and proud new papa, Sir Elton John. Back for the first time since October of 06 when the Rocket Man played the old Igloo, tonight he graces the stage of Pollstar's #1 ranked new concert arena, the Consol Energy Center.

Here I give you a deeper cut from Sir Elton's 1970 release, Tumbleweed Connection, a concept album of funky country-tonk tunes. This song, Amoreena, might also be recognized by Al Pacino fans as the music for the opening scene of 1975's Dog Day Afternoon

Buccos Prospect Watch

Yesterday Johnathan Mayo of MLB.com came out with an article giving a solid look into the Buccos' farm system. Gives a good analysis of how these kids are looking and what their potential and expected ETA in the majors is.

Pirates Top 10 Prospects

Not surprisingly the two big righty arms from last years draft Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie come in at spots 1 and 2 respectively.

Former 4th overall pick from 2009 Tony Sanchez comes in at 3. Really hope Sanchez can step into his role, he is already a solid defensive catcher hopefully his bat will continue to hit for average as he keeps reaching higher levels of ball.

The most intriguing prospect has to be RHP Luis Heredia the 16 year old the Bucs signed last summer from Mexico. The kid is already 6'6" 200lb+ but scouts are saying he already possesses tendencies that could land him in the big leagues in a few years.

Among others to make the top 10 were OF Sterling Marte, LHP Rudy Owens, RHP Bryan Morris, LHP Jeff Locke, LHP Colton Cain, and RHP Zack Von Rosenberg.

The Buccos definitely have some pieces here in place in the farm system, to hopefully later join the young core of players that already in the big leagues.

With the #1 pick this summer the Buccos could strengthen their starting rotation down the road by drafting RHP Garret Cole (UCLA) or add another big bat to the corner of their infield by drafting 3B Anthony Rendon (Rice).

I personally like the idea of another bat here and moving Alvarez to 1B. With a 2013 or 2014 lineup potentially being:

C-Sanchez
1B-Alvarez
2B-Walker
SS-Free Agent Signing
3B-Rendon
LF-Tabata
CF-McCutchen
RF-Jones

Pitching:

Really outside of Taillon and Heredia, and Allie hopefully either finding a spot in the rotation or as the team's closer, its pretty difficult to see where this teams pitching staff is gonna be in about 2-3years.

A lot of wishful thinking and luck drives this roster here, but hey I don't know if its just because its Spring time or the fact I'm a blatant Buccos optimist...

LETS GO BUCS

Kid Rock Sucks..Pens Escape Motor City With Win

PENS 5 -WINGS 4 (SO)

You know you are watching a game in Detroit when at every possible moment some joke feels the urge to stand up and wave at the camera. Sit down and watch the game buddy. Its not like your mom can see you on TV. She doesn't own one....she lives in Detroit. Remember?

The Pens looked like world beaters for about 40 minutes. The bad thing about that is that hockey is a 60 minute game, and in last night's case 65 minutes.

Still the Pens were able to muster enough strength clench their ass cheeks and not shit that game away. 2 points is 2 points. 

Dupuis got the game going making it 1-0 on a weak backhander that snuck through Howard's 5-hole. 

Kunitz then gave the Pens a 2-0 before the end of the 1st with a nice rebound goal. Assist to Howard on that one.

In the 2nd Matt Niskanen takes a boarding penalty. Matt Cooke gets 5 and a game for that along with probably a 4 game suspension. Matt Niskanen? 2 minutes.

Duper gets the puck on the PK and leads a 2 on 1. Tries to shovel the pass on the backhand...epic fail...gets lucky...pots his 2nd of the game to make it 3-0.

Kennedy then scores his 17th of the year on a nice little backhander. 4-0 Pens. Howard pull. Party time in the Burgh or so we thought.

Detroit gets one before the end of the 2nd, then goes on a tear in the 3rd, notching 3 in the first 10 minutes of the period.

Pens holding on for dear life mode. BJ comes up huge on a 2 on 1 robbing Helm.

OT decides nothing. Shootout time.

BJ-BJ-BJ.

Then Neal has the opportunity to end it and does wiring a wrister by MacDonald. GAME.

THREE STARS:

3rd star - V. Filppula - DET

2nd star - P. Dupuis - PIT

1st star - J. Neal - PIT

Pens retain their hold on 4th in the East and move up to 92 points with 9 games left to play.

Philly on Thursday....remember them?

We'll never know...we'll never know...

GO PENS

Song O' The Day: 3/22/11 Edition

Eye of Sheron Upon Cooke

The ever vigilant Eye of Sheron was watching Sunday afternoon. If Cooke knew what was good for him, he'd avoid Shero's unrelenting gaze.

Song O' The Day: 3/21/11 Edition

Matt Cooke SUSPENDED

Today the NHL came down hard on Matt Cooke for his hit on Rangers' defenseman Ryan McDonagh Sunday afternoon.

Cooke is suspended for the rest of the season + the 1st round of the playoffs. Cooke also forfeits over 200k+ in salary.

This is a combination of Cooke being a repeat offender and the fact that the NHL is moving toward a no nonsense approach in dealing with head shots.

This is unfortunate news for Pens fans as Cooke and his effective play especially on the PK will be greatly missed. He was possibly the Pens best forward during the Ottawa playoff series last year.

 

Sid

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?&id=104076


looks pretty good eh?

Song O' The Day: St. Patty's Edition

Ehh...whatever

Pens Win 5-1

How pumped is that kid in the front row?

Ottawa is shit these days, but that dislike of the Sens which was created after playing them 3 times in the playoffs in 4 years is still prevalent enough to conjure up some hatred. Going off of that last night it was pretty satisfying to see the Pens roll to a 5-1 victory.

Kennedy started off the scoring with a sick deflection coming off a Paul Martin shot. Kennedy with what seems to be his 1000th goal of the season. Dude has stepped up when he needed to this year.

Early in the 2nd the Pens do some work in the Ottawa zone. Staal keeps the puck in, Ottawa somehow manages to give up a 3-1 on the PK in their own zone, Kovy with the one-timer...miss...to Kunitz who works it in front to Staal who makes it 2-0 as the penalty expires. A second earlier and the Pens would have had scored on the PP. Something thats gotta get going here in these last 10 games.

Pens go on the PK and the Sens waste little time scoring pretty much off the face off. This goal made Jason Spezza very happy.

 

Hide yo kids hide yo wives

Pens waste little time though and answer back with a goal to make it 3-1. Ben Lovejoy on a slapper.

Back and forth action for a little bit more than Johnson robs Shannon with the glove from point blank.

The Pens do some more work in the Ottawa zone and Matt Cooke gets a garbage goal in front. 4-1 Pens.

In the 3rd Kovy works off an Ottawa defensemen, dishes it to Jeffrey, who slides it to Sidney Crosby Zbynek Michalek who scores his 3rd goal in 4 games. 

Game. Pens win 5-1

Stars of the Game:

3rd Star- Jordan Staal

2nd Star - Chris Kunitz

1st Star- Tyler Kennedy

With the win the Pens keep pace with the Flyers who also won last night 3-2 over Florida. The Pens currently sit in 4th in the East with 90 pts, and sit 3 pts back of Philly, with the Flyers having 2 games in hand. The Pens are off until Sunday when the Rangers come to the town for a matinee. Luckily March Madness also begins this week so the lack of Pens hockey is manageable. 

LETS GO PITT!!

Song O' The Day: Wednesday 3/16/11 Edition

Sad news as rapper Nate Dogg has passed away.

RIP

Song O' The Day : Tuesday 3/15/11 Edition

You need to come inside and check Lo
Relax yourself and let the sugar Lo flow

GAME DAY: Game #71 - Pittsburgh Penguins @ Ottawa Senators - 7:30pm EST

WHO :

WHERE:

WHEN:


7:30pm EST


LAST MEETING:

SEASON SERIES:

Pittsburgh leads 2-1

PITTSBURGH LINES:

18-Neal-------10-Letestu------72-Kovalev

14-Kunitz----11-Staal---------48-Kennedy

24-Cooke----15-Jeffrey-------9-Dupuis

17-Rupp-----25-Talbot-------27-Adams

7-Martin--------4-Michalek

5-Engelland---58-Letang

20-Wagner----6-Lovejoy

1-Johnson

29- Fleury

OTTAWA LINES:

52-Greening----19-Spezza-----16-Butler

71-Foligno------15-Smith-------25-Neil

38-Condra------26-Shannon---10-Svatos

21-Potulny-----18-Winchester-49-Lessard

4-Phillips-------5-Lee

17-Kuba-------65-Karlsson

51-Smith-------55-Gonchar

41-Anderson

31-McElhinney

Tonight the Pittsburgh Penguins (44-22-8) (88 pts) venture up north to face the Ottawa Senators (25-35-9) (59 pts). This will be the last times the two teams meet this season with the Pens leading the season series 2-1.

All it takes is one look at the Sens lines to know what kind of year they are having. Complete mud. Bobby Butler, Colin Greening, Erik Condra? Whatever Ottawa had it coming, thats what you get for spelling your country Kanata.

Tonight also marks Alex Kovalev's first return back to Ottawa since the trade deadline. No word if the conditonal 7th rounder the Pens sent to Ottawa in that trade will be in the lineup for the Sens tonight. 

The Pens look to continue where they left off on Sunday after their 5-1 drubbing of the Oilers. Points are at a premium come March and if the Pens look to keep pace in the race for home ice in the 1st round of the playoffs they better pick up all the points possible against lower teams in the standings.

Oh and if you haven't heard...

Lookout NHL #87 is setting his sights on Stanley....we hope
Eric P from thepensblog.com with the vid.


Pens vs Sens moment of bliss:

Epic game. When everyone thought Wade Redden was still relevant. Members of that Sens team still wake up in the middle of the night with nightmares of Gary Roberts.


LETS GO PENS!!

Song O' The Day

Since we are a Pittsburgh blog, we bring you two songs for the Song O' The Day. One "Old Pittsburgh" one "New Pittsburgh"

A Hello to Yinz

Welcome to 5goals5ways.blogspot.com


A Pittsburgh sports blog covering the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates.


The fun begins....