Get in the Fast Lane Grandma; 2nd Time's the Charm

What a win. What a series. What a playoffs. What a

Team: The Pens finally get to hoist that beautiful, shiny, glorious, magnificent, coveted, this beer tastes like metal, cup. Amidst all the hype blabbing about the Penguins needing Malkin and Crosby to step up, this team proved that they are the quintessential team. Of course everyone worried when Crosby limped off the ice in the second. But the team was already at full speed, blasting pucks, smashing boards, and blocking shots. Not to mention Fleury-good GOD Fleury-was a wall in front of the net. The whole team-guys like Eaton, Orpik, Letang, Kennedy, Staal, and of course the night's star Max-Out Talbot-gave incredible efforts to take this game.

That being said, here are my 3 biceps of the game

Max-Out:
If you aren't a pens fan, you probably don't know much about Talbot (that might be why the Wings had such trouble dealing with him). But if you have watched the Pens in the last 4 seasons, you shoudn't be surpised that Maxime put in those 2 goals, especially in a game 7, where the players that give the most effort amongst the tired and breatheless get rewarded. From puck drop, Max was all out. On the boards, on breakaways, his stickwork, bodybanging, and skating were all outperforming the entire Red Wings team. He pretty much proved that if you want the cup bad enough, you can win it with will. You're jealous that I have a Talbot shirt, and i'm wearing it all summer.

Flower Power: Fleury was quite the puckstopper. From the first Detroit chance, he proved he was focused, and ready to handle the infamous and troublesome Detroit live boards. Don't get me wrong-Osgood played fantastic as well. However, Fleury is THE reason that we won this game. Detroit was attacking like little kids at the chuck-e-cheese prize table in the third, but the flower defended his soil, and erased a possible detroit come back. And the picture to the left, that's Lidstrom saying "Damn, you kind of stole our cup." Lets be honest here, if Detriot scores to tie, they probably take the game, at home, in overtime. After all the media was on his balls about his play in Detroit, he sprayed them off like bug repellent at a picnic. You're jealous that I have a Fleury shirt, and i'll also be wearing be wearing that all summer.


Special Teams: The first shift of the Pens first power play was one of the best Power Play shifts i've seen them execute in the last 2 years. I know, I know, they didn't score. But because they were able to move the puck around so well and so fast, they tired out the Detroit PK, and the Red Wings defense in general. After the penguins power play got moving, the Red Wings seemed to be chasing them for the rest of the game, even when it was scoreless. It provided motivation, and got the Pens thinking that they had the upper hand. I'm convinced that the first power play was a main key to the night, but don't forget the Penguins penalty kill! If Detroit converts their power play chances, they obviously win the game, but the PK-provided by Scuds, Gill, Eaton and company-made the Wings look better off playing 5 on 5 ice. Amazing job clearing the puck and blocking shots by the dirty fellows.


Gotta love it.

We've got the penguins players that played their cabooseys off in this game, but what about the Detroit guys?

Time for our goat of the game. And this one is as easy as apple p-
hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooossa. (you don't even deserve a clear picture)

come on. you leave us to try and win the cup? didn't you just get to the stanley cup finals? If there's anythign these two teams need to remember, it's how truly hard it is to reach the finals. The NHL playoffs are the hardest series of elimination competitions in any of the 4 major US sports. Its not win or go home, its play 7, hope you win the most, pray you aren't injured, and go sacrifice for 7 more. repeat 3 times if you're lucky. I know this has been said, but it just feels so good to write it. Dear Hossa, you're an idiot. Not only do you leave a team with a legit chance to return to the finals, on shaky terms at that, but you don't even perform in the finals against them to prove yourself right! This is a tragedy for the red wings, and as Hossa has shown an bodybuilder's dose of hubris, Hossa is your tragic her-i can't say it- GOAT. I'm glad you left buddy. Not only did we get to sign Malkin to a 5 year deal (thus enabling me to purchase his jersey) and Orpik to a long-termy, but we got to beat you bad. Two years in a row you lose on your home ice. In the words of Bananarama: "It's a cruel summer." That song must've been written about a the NHL offseason for the SCF losers.

I only covered this game, and there is surely more to come about the Pens season. We haven't even gotten to Crosby, Malkin, Guerin, Scuderi, Letang, Staal, the list goes on. Postseaston and season recaps to come.

If you were on Forbes Ave last night, I'm sure that I gave you a high five. Especially if you were in a car. Yeah, that kid waving his 71 Jersey. And most assuredly if you were a police officer. Those nightclub nudges didn't feel so good.

CITY OF CHAMPIONS.