Wild's New Head Coach

The Wild organization has hired former San Jose Sharks assistant coach Todd Richards as the new head coach of the MN Wild team. Richards promises an up-tempo style of play; more offensive-minded, more fore-check. The fans should appreciate the new pace, and the players also. They'll have fun playing physical.

I'm all for this Richards guy. He seems to see the importance of offense and defense. Mostly I look forward to the offense he will bring. The change should be a good one. He also comes from a good organization. The Sharks are an upbeat, physical team, with good offense and good defense.

We'll just have to wait to see what happens. I just hope we don't have to wait until fall.

Best of luck, Todd!

-Skate on.

"Wings Clipped by Flightless Birds." Poor Hossa

PENGUINS WIN IN DETROIT, GAME 7!!! Just like the Wings won in Pittsburgh last year. Now THAT'S what I call poetic justice.

The Penguins made history tonight in SO many ways - first team in about 25 years to come back and win the Final after losing the previous year. First team to force Detroit to game 7 at home in the Final since, I believe, the 50's. Sidney Crosby, youngest captain in the NHL to hoist the Cup.

What a game! Talbot with those 2 game-winning goals in the 2nd period, Fleury owning that crease, multiple attacks on the Detroit net. Best hockey game I have ever watched. When I told this to my sister, she said, "Well DUH!" Haha!

The Penguins certainly earned this one. Especially after Stuart cut the lead in half with just over 6 minutes to go in the 3rd period. That was some intense, tense hockey.

Mercifully for Marian Hossa, the Pens didn't win it in Pittsburgh. The crowd would have been merciless. Poor guy; goes to the Wings to win the Cup. What sick irony. I can't even take pleasure in it.

And why were the Redwings fans booing? Don't they know good hockey when they see it? Or champions? This Cup was hard-earned.

The Penguins have proven themselves to be a strong team, apparently putting behind them the past losses in Detroit. It was extremely gratifying to see Sidney Crosby, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Evgeni Malkin hoisting the Stanley Cup. And, of course, Maxime Talbot, tonight's star.

It was a good victory for the Penguins.

Congratulations Talbot, Fleury, Geno, Sid the Kid!

A good end to a good season of NHL Hockey.

-Skate on.

Penguins Win 2-1!

Last night's game in Pittsburgh was simply amazing! The Penguins were playing better than they had the game before, in Detroit. Much better hockey; they played like they wanted to win. And they needed to.

Fleury was amazing last night! I noted a couple amazing saves - one on a breakaway. And who knew that Scuderi could play goaltender, too?! Great hockey. No matter what the outcome is in game 7, this Stanley Cup Final has been full of truly GREAT HOCKEY!!!

I could easily see game 7 going either way. I predict either Detroit winning by a long shot, or Pittsburgh by a narrow margin; 1-2 goal lead. But enough speculations.

Crosby says that it's time for the learning curve to end. Amen! I'm so glad he realizes that. I hope his teammates realize it, too. They have nothing more to learn in this Final. They just need to play hockey. And above all, they need to play in Detroit like they do in Pittsburgh.

Game 7 Friday; who will hoist the Cup? I can hardly wait to see!

-Skate on

Pens-Wings Series Tied 2-2.

The Wings won both Detroit games, and the Pens won both in Pittsburgh. Next game is in Detroit.

I believe the Detroit game to be pivotal. The Penguins NEED to win this next game in Detroit, or their series is basically over. Seeing as how they won both games 4-2 with an empty Detroit net towards the end of the 3rd period, I'd say they've got some momentum going into Detroit. I mean, Crosby was able to score last night, AND he got an assist, in spite of the Wings attempts to suppress him! And last night the Pens scored a short-handed goal against the Wings. That's just not supposed to happen...

All in all, things are looking pretty good for the Penguins. Much better than they did last year. My sense of de-ja-vu is lessening ever so slightly.

Let's Go Penguins!

-Skate on.

Blackhawks Lose in OT, Penguins vs. Redwings Ahead

There was no scoring in the first two periods. I wasn't there, so I can't say if that made it an exciting or a boring game, but I'm willing to bet it was the former.

Dan Cleary scored the first goal, assisted by Bret Lebda and Valtteri Filppula, at 6:08 into the third period. The Hawks answered back in the voice of Patrick Kane, who scored a few minutes later at 12:53, assisted by Brent Seabrook and Dave Bolland. They played a pretty even game that stretched into overtime.

At 3 minutes and 58 seconds into OT, Darren Helm scored for the Wings, with assists from Tomas Holmstrom and Brett Lebda, thus advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Pens vs. Wings again this year. Good Hockey for sure.

I know Penguins can pull it off this year. They are playing better than I have seen and heard them play now than they were all season. And they are the first NHL team in a very long time to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals after losing it the very year before.

I would love to see the Penguins win it this year. They're a young team with lots of talent, and they have earned this - so far. They aren't a been-there-done-that team like the Wings are. The Penguins are less experienced; something of the underdog. But it wouldn't be such a pleasant surprise if they won, like it would have been last year.

That said,

LET'S GO PENS!!!

-Skate on.

Penguins Sweep!

Pens sweep the Hurricanes in game 4! Obviously...

Now it's on to the Stanley Cup Finals. Go Pens!

Wow. I just realized that I'm wearing an Evgeni Malkin T-shirt as I write this. I didn't even plan that.

Whoever the Penguins face for the Finals - whether Hawks or the Wings - they stand a good chance of winning. Especially if this momentum carries over.

Eric Staal scored early in the first period, at 1:36, for Carolina, and the Hurricanes led for about 7 minutes, when Ruslan Fedotenko scored for the Penguins to tie it up 1-1 at 8:21. From there it was all downhill for the Hurricanes as Maxime Talbot scored at 18:31, Bill Guerin at 12:10 of second, and Craig Adams at 18:50 of third, a goal given nicely by Sidney Crosby. Final score 4-1.

What a sweep! I would have loved to be there. It would have been a great game to watch! Fast-paced, well-played, good timing. Yay for the Penguins!

Redwings and Blackhawks face off tomorrow evening for game five.

Sorry that this post wasn't very in-depth. I didn't even list many assists. But it's getting late, so bear with me.


-Skate on!

Pens-Wings?

Last night the Redwings beat the Blackhawks 6-1, and lead the series 3-1. The Penguins currently lead their series 3-0 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Right now, it looks like it will be the Penguins and Redwings battling for the Stanley Cup again. Only this year, I believe that the Penguins stand a much better chance against the Wings than last.

I personally would love to see the Redwings clipped. But we'll just see what happens. There are a few more games to get through before then.

No matter what, I'd like to see the Penguins hoist the Cup this year.

And if it's against the Wings - well, I sure wouldn't want to be in Hossa's skates then.

-Skate on.