The NHL might have cut down the size of goalies' pads this year, but don't tell Marc-Andre Fleury. Flower and the Penguins shutout the New Jersey Devils 3-0 on Pittsburgh's opening night of the season. Chuck Kobasew and Sidney Crosby scored in the first period and Craig Adams added a goal in the third to seal the deal for Pittsburgh who claimed the first two points in the Metropolitan Division. Kobasew, who was signed a few days ago after a strong showing in preseason, broke a scoreless ... Read More
Archives for October 2013
Burnett Struggles, Cardinals Capitalize in 9 – 1 Rout
Follow @TBerardi_OVA A.J. Burnett didn't have his stuff, today as he allowed the Cardinals to break out in a seven run third inning in route to a 9 - 1 victory in game one of the NLDS on Thursday afternoon. No one was able to break the scoreboard through the first two innings. The Cardinals came close in the second, when they had first and second with no out. Burnett then would get two groundouts, the second being a double play to end the inning without damage. He wouldn't be as ... Read More
Bye Week Tweaks
Almost mercifully, it will be impossible for the Pittsburgh Steelers to fall to 0-5 this weekend, because...they have the week off. Coming home from one of the NFL's annual visits overseas in London, Coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers are one of four teams on a bye week in Week Five. The others, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, and Washington, certainly have issues themselves, so this figures to be a busy week of surgical analysis for teams that are a combined 2-14 through four weeks. Tampa Bay, for ... Read More
Pirates release NLDS roster
After a monumental win over the Reds on Tuesday night, the Pirates packed their bags for St. Louis. With a five-game series ahead, the Pirates have officially announced their NLDS 25-man roster. Pitchers — A.J. Burnett Francisco Liriano Gerrit Cole Charlie Morton Jason Grilli Mark Melancon Bryan Morris Tony Watson Vin Mazzaro Jeanmar Gomez Justin Wilson Infielders — Justin Morneau Neil Walker Clint Barmes Pedro Alvarez Jordy Mercer Josh ... Read More
2013 Early Season Heisman Hopefuls
It's about that time in the season where certain players begin to emerge from the pack and standout to the Heisman Trophy voters. Last season, freshman Johnny Manziel took home the hardware. Who will it be this season? Let's take a look at some early options. Johnny Maziel, QB, Texas A&M - Of course you have to put Mazniel back into the mix. You may not like him, but the kid is talented. So far this season he's completed 100-of-140 passes (71.4 %) and thrown for 1,489 yards and 14 ... Read More
Penguins still a favorite but need Fleury to get there
After adding Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow, Jussi Jokinen, and Douglas Murray around the trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Penguins were seen as a team that was "going for it" with "it" being the Stanley Cup. No offense, but when your team consists of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, James Neal, etc. you're always "going for it". Regardless, the Penguins fell short of their goal of raising the Stanley Cup, failing to win a game, in the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite loading their team with ... Read More
PSAC West Week 5 news and notes
The PSAC West took each other on head-to-head this past week, fleshing out the standings just a little bit. Here's some news and notes going into Week 5 of the season. 2013 Football Standings SCHOOL CONF CPCT. OVERALL PCT. STREAK WEST IUP 2-0 1.000 4-0 1.000 W4 Gannon 2-0 1.000 3-1 0.750 W2 California 1-1 0.500 3-1 0.750 L1 Slippery ... Read More
Cup of Joe: I guess the fans can make a difference
There are a lot of things out there that I don't believe in when it comes to sports. First off, I don't believe that being "clutch" is a real thing. There are athletes who won't perform in the key situations or will crumble, but by looking at the numbers, no one raises their performance in the situations. Then there's being injury plagued. It's a label given to an athlete who seems to always be hurt. Think Matt Forte or Darren McFadden. Is this athlete really destined to get injured or are ... Read More
The Pirates…and Their Fans Beat the Reds 6 – 2
Follow @TBerardi_OVA Pittsburgh has waited 21 years for a game like this to occur and they made sure their voices were heard as they rattled Johnny Cueto, leading to an early lead which enough for Francisco Liriano, who threw another gem against the Reds in a 6 - 2 NL Wild Card victory on Tuesday night. The momentum started to swing in the top of the second when Marlon Byrd, who was making his first postseason plate appearance, homered to left sending the already loud crowd at PNC into a ... Read More
Pirates Gameday: The Playoffs Are Finally Back in Pittsburgh
Follow @TBerardi_OVA The Pittsburgh Pirates (94 - 68) are back in the postseason for the first time since 1992 as they will take on the Cincinnati Reds (90 - 72). Francisco Liriano (16 - 8, 3.02 ERA) will take on Pirate killer, Johnny Cueto (5 - 2, 2.82 ERA). This will be the first time PNC Park has seen postseason action and the first time Pittsburgh has seen a postseason game since October 11, 1992. Hurdle's Quotes On emotions for tonight's game last night-- "I had a very trying evening. ... Read More