Viewing blogs posted in 2016

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Pittsburgh Penguins - 2016 Stanley Cup Champions!

# Posted by Joel Dixon at 24/07/2016 04:32:38
Updated by Joel Dixon at 25/07/2016 01:14:16

It has taken me far too long to write the blog post, but the Pittsburgh Penguins have won the cup again!

Is anyone happier in this photo than super Duper?

Just like last time we had a pretty ordinary first-half to the season, followed by a coaching change and return to form.

While in the early part of the season it seemed to Phil Kessel never met an easy tap-in goal he couldn't stuff up, there wasn't a better, more consistent player in the playoffs (especially amazing when you consider the iron man was playing hurt). Watching The Phil streaking down the wing and firing a wicked wrister at net was as amazing as advertised, but it was his incredible passing abilities (especially on the PP) that really impressed me. Along with Hags and Bonino Bonino Bonino!, the HBK like provided us a third line that no team could cover.

Clutch Crosby performed as he always does, scoring goals and setting up the play at the opportune moments. Matt Murray also played like a veteran of the game, his focus and maturity on display all through his first NHL playoff series. I feel bad for Fleury, he kept us in playoff contention when we sucked in the first half of the season, only to get two concussions and having to turn the reins over to Murray. Geno Malkin also dominated some early games when Crosby was MIA, but a shoulder injury towards the end of the regular season seemed to affect his playoff performance significantly.

I remember thinking back in '09 that the Penguins could win the Cup year after year, but a 7 year gap just shows how hard the NHL is. Still, I wouldn't be betting against the Pens in 2017! Speaking of betting, I could see the team responding well to Coach Sullivan's no-nonsense approach early in the year, so I put $100 on them making the Stanley Cup Final. The $700 I won helped me afford all the usual goodies - championship hat, shirt and puck, locker room towel and bobble-head. I also had to pick a player jersey to remember this playoff series (I bought a Talbot last time after his game 7 heroics). Early on I thought it might be Sheary or Rust getting the nod, with Bonino and Letang having an outside chance. By the end - it was hard to argue against Kessel, so I picked up this beauty:

I am yet to eat cookies while wearing this jersey, maybe I shall when I watch the first game of next season

This also marks the first season that I watched every single game of the regular and playoff seasons, thanks to NHL.TV. After every single playoff game that we watched, Pao and I listed to the following song. I'm pretty sure this helped the Pens as much as anything else this season.

# Posted in the Hockey section and tagged as: Pittsburgh Penguins

Blog Search

Recent Blogs

Pittsburgh - For some hockey (why not?), 2017

Philadelphia - Not that sunny, 2017

Miami, Naples and Tampa - Beaches, Babe and a Baby Sloth, 2017

New York - Third time's a charmed lamp, 2017

Pittsburgh Return - Fleury, Fleury, Fleury!, 2017

Chicago - Blackhawks, Bulls and a bean, 2017

Mario Lemieux Fantasy Camp 2017 - Day 4 and 5 (Final Games)

Mario Lemieux Fantasy Camp 2017 - Day 3 (Outdoor Game, Injury, Dinner and Drinks)

Marc-Andre Fleury still giving high fives to his injured buddy

Mario Lemieux Fantasy Camp 2017 - Day 2 (Contract Signing, Training and Game)

Feed

Blog Entries

Recent Comments
The post about nothing
posted 2 years ago by joeldixon
woow indeed - Very pleased to hear it, my dear friend! link

The post about nothing
posted 2 years ago by adriana
woow - I'm bound to have to agree with your opinion, my friend! link

Pittsburgh Arrival - Border Security Magic, 2017
posted 3 years ago by joeldixon
Welcome Mac - Love to see you here Mac! Speaking of the ice - shame that your big break ... link

Pittsburgh Arrival - Border Security Magic, 2017
posted 3 years ago by MacBeltKarate
Bad-ass Trip Bro - Woah dude! You played hockey with Mario Lemieux!? That bozo is up there as one of ... link

Living up to my title
posted 3 years ago by joeldixon
Yeah, I don't think it's working link

Comment Standings
1. the man with no name (45)
2. Hoff (39)
3. Hitman (33)
4. Gav (27)
5. Brad (24)
6. Eryc-Ads (13)
7. milly (7)
8. Deep Lurker (6)
9. thefury (5)
10. Dieter (4)

About This Site | Contact Me

Login

Viewing blogs posted in 2016

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Pittsburgh Penguins - 2016 Stanley Cup Champions!