Pens Loss Close One

Hey All,

Last night, Thursday March 27th, the Pittsburgh Penguins took on the Los Angeles Kings, and this game had a lot riding on it. The game was nicknamed the battle for 8. If Pittsburgh won, they would have cliched a spot in the playoffs for the 8th straight year. If the Kings won, they would have won their 8th straight road game. This game didn't disappoint.

Neither team started their starting goaltender, Jeff Zatkoff for the Pens and Martin Jones for the Kings. Both goaltenders have been playing very well as of late. Zatkoff actually has the same save percentage as starting goaltender Marc Andre Fleury at .915, and giving up 2.58 goals per game.

Now I know everyone has been down on Zatkoff as of late, but what you fail to know is he's a rookie. Not only is he a rookie, he is playing just as well as any starting goaltender in the league. Most people would kill for a goaltender with a .915 save percentage. Not only that he is 11-4-2 in his last 17 games, and in that has recorded a shutout. Now all that doesn't sound like a guy "playing bad".

Okay enough of that rant, let's get to how this game went down. Unfortunately, for the Pens anyways, the Los Angeles Kings extended their winning streak to 5 games, and won their 8th straight road game. They were also able to keep the Pens for clinching a Playoff berth. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty scored the game-winner in the third to give the Kings a 3-2 win. Doughty's goal wouldn't have been possible without the assist from Dustin Brown.

Now this game had a lot of controversy, and it didn't end well for the Pens. Forward Brandon Sutter should have had the tying goal, but was called off due to "goaltender interference". All he did was cash the net after a shot, to get the rebound, he did so and was able to push the puck into the net, and then the net came off the pegs. Now by rule if you disallow the goaltender room to make the save and or get in the way of his progress it is goaltender interference. Non of that happened on this play. Sutter crashed the net and got all puck and pushed it into the net, like every player does. What the refs missed was Doughty cross checking Sutter 3 times which caused the "goaltender interference".  Therefore the goal should have been allowed, the game should have been tied, and went into overtime.

Non of the above happened, and the Pens lost the game. They weren't able to clinch a playoff spot last night, but have all the opportunity to do so tonight when they play the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Jackets aren't best team in the league, but they still will give the Pens a run for the Playoff spot. Not that they will take the spot away from the Pens, but they could stop them from not clinching again. I don't think that will happen. Then Pens are playing mad now with the events that went down last night. It showed in the last few minutes of the game after the "goaltender interference" call. They played well last night, and had a lot of speed to there game in the beginning of the game. Near the end of the game they got physical, and I expect that physical play to continue until they have the spot clinched, and well after and into the playoffs. They have something to prove. All good teams go though a phase where they struggle to make playoffs and contend for a Stanley Cup. Everyone is starting to say that about the Pens, and I don't think they like that very much. They are one of the best teams in the league, and they are slumping right now, but will get back to Stanley Cup form starting tonight.

Until next time,
You keep doing what you do, and I'll keep you up to date with everything sports. 

Sanchez Found A New Team

Hey All,

A little late night update for you guys. I have heard a rumor that the Egales may have found a third quarterback for their team. Mark Sanchez and the Egales are close to a deal and he will be thrown into the QB battle.

You can read more here:

Eagles likely to sign Mark Sanchez http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10667053/quarterback-mark-sanchez-joining-philadelphia-eagles?ex_cid=null -via SportsCenter http://bit.ly/zzSpRY

Until next time,
You keep doing what you do, and I'll keep you up to date with everything sports.

Tiger Questionable With Back Problems

Hey All,

Yesterday Tiger Woods was asked about his back, and weather or not he would be able to go for the Master's which is coming up in a few weeks. Tiger has been dealing with a back problem for a few weeks now, and has gave him his worst start in his 18 year career. He has 4 starts this season, but only has 2 complete rounds played. He even had to withdraw from the Honda Classic with back spasms, and before he even played a single hole at the Arnold Palmer Classic.

"For Augusta, it's actually still a little too soon, to be honest with you," Woods said Monday at a news conference to announce that Quicken Loans is the New title sponsor of his golf tournament. "That's kind of the frustrating thing about this."

The Master's is the only tournament that Tiger has never missed in his 18 years of the tour. The tournament isn't for another 2 weeks, so Tiger has a good bit of time to get himself ready. He's even gone as far as giving his back a full weeks worth of rest with treatment, and it still gave him an issue during a tournament.

I think that if Woods gives his back a full 2 weeks worth of rest, along with treatment, he will be ready for the Master's. I really don't see him missing this tournament, all though it's still possible if his back just simply doesn't get any better.

Even though his back is an issue right now, Woods will play in this tournament, in my opinion. Even if that means he has to drop out again because of his back. Though it's still too early to tell, I'm going to be optimistic with this being the only tourney he hasn't missed. Things, like Tiger said himself, are just too early to tell. So I will keep you up to date as soon as I hear anything.

Until next time,
You keep doing what you do, and I'll keep you up to date with everything sports.

Opening Day is Almost Here

Hey All,

As I'm sure most of you know, the baseball season is about to get underway. Spring training is almost to a close, and the teams are about to get out of their camps, and into their home stadiums. A lot of the teams have made some strides in Spring Training, and others picked up right where they left off. 

The one team I will be talking about today, and for most of the season, is the Pittsburgh Pirates. Yes, because they are my favorite team, and yes they are also my hometown team. Along with that they are one of the least recognized teams in the league, and don't get the respect that they deserve. So, that is why I'm here. To give them the recognition that they rightfully deserve. 

They went into Spring Training coming off of their best season in a very long time. Roughly around 21 years of being under .500 and not even coming close to the postseason. Now that's all changed. They had a winning season and made it past the opening round of the playoffs last season, and things are looking up for the Battling Bucco's. 

They are returning most of their starters from last year, and have made great moves in their farm leagues. The pitching staff is right where it left off, minus the work of A.J. Burnett, who has retired after a long a successful career. Pittsburgh has made the necessary moves to fill the void of the Ace. The only problem is, they have too much talent and not enough roster spots. There just isn't enough room at the table for everyone, and a lot of quality guys will be moving down to AAA Indianapolis.  For example, left handed pitcher (LHP) Michael Schlereth, son of former NFL great and ESPN Analysis Mark Schlereth. Schlereth hasn't given up a run this Spring Training, yet he was told that, even though he's had a great Spring Training, there just isn't room in the bullpen for him.

Now even though he won't be moved up with the club, that doesn't mean that he won't get a chance to play for the team this year. Baseball is a very long season, and you just simply can't predict injuries, trades, or anything else that could effect a player this year. I'm almost certain that Michael will be playing for the team at some point in time this season. 

The Pirates will have their home opener, as well as opening day, on March 31 and I can't wait to see what they bring to the table this year. I have all the faith in the world that the Pirates will be a contender this year and will make a strong run through the postseason. 

Until next time,

You keep doing what you do, and I'll keep you up to date with everything sports. 

Peavy Cuts Finger in Accident

Hey All,

Boston Red Sox pitcher Jake Peavy, who was scheduled to start tomorrow in Florida, was scratched after he cut his finger on his non throwing hand with a fishing knife on Saturday. This was all said by manager John Farrell. Farrell also went on to say that the accident happened where Peavy is staying in Florida, and that Peavy had a procedure Sunday. 

"He's going to be 'no-throw' for three days and then initiate a throwing program off the mound," Farrell said. "It's his non-throwing hand, so he can keep his arm in shape, but he's a scratch for tomorrow." 

Since Peavy cannot go, Brandon Workman will get the start against the Pirates instead. The plan for the Red Sox was for all of their veteran starters to get 5 starts in spring training. Since Peavy will have to miss this start, it's uncertain if he's going to be able to keep that schedule. Farrell said that since this injury is on his glove hand, they would be able to pad the finger to give it added protection for when he does return. 

This isn't the worst news that the Red Sox have had to go through, considering what they went through last season, and I think they turned out all right. After all, this is only spring training, and it's a very long season. Since this injury didn't accrue to his throwing hand, there really isn't any means to freak out about this one. 

The Red Sox have been through a lot, and have turned it around in the past few years. Espically with all the short comings to the Yankees, and the rest of their devision, I think they will have a very good chance at the post season again. Seeing how they were able to handle the Orioles today, winning by a score of 8-6 on 12 hits, and only gave up 9 on the other end. Yes I know that in spring training, up to this point, they are 1-2 and took down a team that was 2-0. This is  a good sign that they are able to play with this big boys. 

Until next time,

You keep doing what you do, and I'll keep you up to date with everything sports