NHL Ref Loses Lunch During Game

LOOK! Check out our NEW website onlinesportsguys.com

((ht: foxsports.com))

Poor NHL ref Mike Leggo.

Leggo was working the Tampa Bay Lightning/Pittsburgh Penguins game Friday night in Pittsburgh when he had um, a bit of an embarrassing problem.

Leggo, let go of his lunch...or dinner on the ice during the 1st period of the game. And while he's become a bit of a punchline this morning, we're guessing he was legitimately sick because he left the game and did not return.

It sucked for the Ice Girls who had to clean it up, but they did and the game resumed with the Penguins winning 6-3.

Tootoo and Bortuzzo Go Twice In One Night

((HT: HockeyFights/MSG))

They went once


And, then, they went again...


Jordin Tootoo and Robert Bortuzzo decided to go after each other as a reminder of the Jarmoir Jagr check from the last time the two teams met.

Admittedly, the thought that two guys would go at it twice in a game is odd in today's NHL, but if it was going to be two guys- the HQ would think that it would be these two.

Carry on...

Morning Wrap: Pittsburgh Penguins Produce Christmas Vacation Video

((ht: cbssports.com))

Hey, it is after all the holiday season is it not? And doesn't everyone appreciate the classic National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation movie?

It's always good for a laugh...

Even for the talented acting troupe known as the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins.

Props to the video team for producing the skit, a Christmas Card to their fans where various players including star Sidney Crosby, broadcaster Mike Lange and team G.M Jim Rutherford worked on their acting chops.

The all took turns with the Clark Griswold, Cousin Eddie and other roles.

Enjoy the holiday fun:

Pens Dupuis Out 6 Months With Blood Clots

((HT: NHL.com))

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without forward Pascal Dupuis for the next six months after it was discovered that he is out with blood clots in his lungs. The clots were found in his legs and it moved up into his lungs.

Penguins physician Dr. Dharmesh Vyas is not sure if the ailment will end Dupuis' playing career.

Here's Dupuis discussing the diagnosis.


The clot is Dupuis' second in less than a year. It was found Monday when he missed practice after complaining of pain in his chest. Dupuis was diagnosed with a blood clot back in January- a few weeks after tearing his ACL in a game against Ottawa. Dupuis will be on blood thinners to determine the status of his clots and, hopefully, get rid of them.

He has been cleared for physical activity just not any kind of contact.

Morning Wrap: Evander Kane Gets The Gordie Howe Hat Trick

((ht: cbssports.com))

If you read the headline and aren't a hockey fan, you might be asking yourself, "What the heck is the Gordie Howe hat trick"?

Please allow us to explain...

Evander Kane of the Winnipeg Jets (former Atlanta Thrashers) started his night in Pittsburgh with a 2nd period fight, followed it with an assist and ended it with a goal. It wasn't enough as the Penguins got the win in an overtime shootout.

It was named after hockey legend Gordie Howe who did the same, quite often, back in hockey's rough and tumble past.

Your fight:



We'll skip the assist and go straight to the goal, which was Kane's first of the year and the 100th of his career:

A Cool Hockey Moment On A Rough Day

((HT: NHL on NBCSN))

If you have been following the news today, Canada took a major blow with someone who wanted to make a statement by opening fire on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. One reservist was killed and a shooter was as well.

A lockdown was just lifted on the Hill. The Prime Minister has spoken words of encouragement.

Come tomorrow, the world up north will be very different.

Hockey fans are united in their love for the sport and respecting your competition.

Tonight in Pittsburgh before the Pens-Flyers game, the Pittsburgh fans did something really cool...


Like we said...

A cool moment of profound respect...

BREAKING: Jim Rutherford Hired, Dan Bylsma Fired

((HT: Louis Jean's Twitter via TVA))

That didn't take long...

The same day that Jim Rutherford was hired as the new General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Dan Bylsma was fired as head coach. It was an odd set from the end of the season when the Pens ownership group decided to fire GM Ray Shero and not Bylsma when the team was bounced from the playoffs prematurely by the Montreal Canadiens.

Three weeks ago...
Here's the talk at the time with TSN's Bob McKenzie
((HT: NHL.com))


So, Bylsma got to twist in the wind and not have the opportunity to look for other work...

Nice work, y'all...

More when we know more, but it now looks like Bylsma becomes the front runner for the Florida Panthers job.

DEVELOPING: Shero Blown Out In Pittsburgh, Bylsma Staying For Now...

((HT: NHL.com))

The Penguins ownership group, led by Mario Lemieux, has decided that the front office and coaching staff need a change after the semi-finals loss to the New York Rangers.

Head coach Dan Bylsma and his staff get to stay and be observed by whomever the new GM is- since GM Ray Shero is now on the street. The ownership group feels a change was needed and it was done. Shero leaves after 8 seasons.

Assistant GM Jason Botterill will be the interim GM while the team looks for a new boss and he will also be in charge of the scouting operations in the mean time.

Here's the Game 7 involving the Pens losing their 3-1 series lead to the Rangers


There was talk that Dan Bylsma would be heading out the door as well, but he and his staff are now on a one-year short leash under whomever the new GM is during next year's season- which turns into an on-ice audition for all coaches and players to keep their jobs.

“Ray is a good person who made a positive impact on the Penguins and the Pittsburgh community,” Lemieux and co-owner Ron Burkle said in a joint statement released by the Pens organization. “We thank him for his contributions to our organization, and especially for his key role with our 2009 Stanley Cup championship team. We wish all the best for him and his family.

“We feel it is time to move our franchise in a new direction,” Lemieux and Burkle said. “We share the disappointment of our fans that we have not had success in the playoffs over the past five seasons. We believe that new leadership in the general manager’s office will bring a new approach and new energy, and help us return to championship form.”

Pens Lose 3 In A Row To Rangers, Head To Golf Course...

((HT: Sportsnet))

Henrik Lundqvist stopped 102 of the last 105 shots he faced in the Rangers-Penguins series. Because of that, an anemic offense that Sidney Crosby had nothing to do with, a power play that didn't exist, and shaky goaltending by Marc-Andre Fleury the New York Rangers won the last three games in the Round 2 Eastern Conference series and will play either Boston or Montreal in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Pens head coach Dan Bylsma has now lost three big series in a row (if you count the Olympics as a series) and may be out of a job. He hadn't thought that far ahead when asked after the game...
Here's Crosby speaking the obvious... The team rallied around Martin St. Louis after the loss of his mother and you could tell the series and the series win meant a lot to him being a part of his new team... ((HT: CBC/NHL)) And here's how it happened...

St. Louis Reflects On A Long Few Days

((HT: MSG/NHL))

Martin St. Louis' mom passed away suddenly Thursday. He went home to help take care of what the family needed to do. But after talking it through it was decided that his mom would have wanted him to play Game 5 tonight in the Rangers-Pens series.

The Broadway Blues won and kept the series going, and he got to talk about it after the game.


In a classy move that reinforces just how hockey players are, here's Sidney Crosby talking with St. Louis
Cassie Campbell-Pascall has the lead-in
((HT: CBC))


Classy... very classy...

What's With All The Unanswered Goals...???

((HT: NHL/NBCSN))

The HQ thought that when the Pittsburgh Penguins had the 3-goal FIRST PERIOD lead on the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide, that it was over and done...

Yeah, so much for that idea...

CBJ scored once in the first, once in the second, and Brandon Dubinsky scored with less than a minute to go in regulation to send the game into overtime...

We all know what happens with momentum by that point...
Ask Nick Foligno...


That series is now tied at two and the Penguins fans are gripping over another post-season performance by goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.

The other two series that went last night are also tied at two games a piece...

Anaheim had a two-goal lead in Dallas in Dallas, but that didn't last, either...
The Stars scored four in a row and the series between the Ducks and Stars has gotten all serious. There was a a lot of "quien es mas macho" in the last few minutes between the two sides. Play-by-play man Gord Miller had the line describing how the series has gotten all in each other's grills, saying that the two have evolved into hatred...

He's not wrong...


The late game (and "who knew?" right...???) would end up being the Blackhawks and Blues...

It would end shortly before 1AM east coast time, but overtime will do that for you...
Patrick Kane would help us all get to bed earlier than we thought in the third series tied at 2...


Tonight, the Sharks try to knock off the Kings once and for all...
Much to the dismay of the HQ...

How About A Little Shinny...???

((HT: NHL on NBC))

There was talk that the Stadium Series game between Chicago and Pittsburgh might even be postponed last night because the wind chill was below zero...

Well, they play the game outdoors all the time...

And Patrick Kane had it right admitting that the game was more like shinny than anything else...
Chicago won 5-1 and Jonathan Toews scored twice...


The crowd was marked at a little under 63,000 at Soldier Field...

So much for the idea that people won't show up for those kinds of games in perpetual snowy conditions...

Bruins Shawn Thornton Suspended for 15 Games

((ht: cbssports.com))

It appears a  cheap shot by Shawn Thornton of the Boston Bruins, late this past Saturday, on Brooks Orpik of the Pittsburgh Penguins, will according to TSN's Darren Dreger, cost Thornton 15 days.

The incident happened after Orpik had knocked down and apparently injured the Bruins Loui Eriksson. A bit of a scrum ensued. That's when Thornton skated over, grabbed Orpik, throwing him to the ice and punching him.

Orpik was knocked unconscious and had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher and to the hospital. Saturday morning Orpik was put on Injured Reserve with a concussion.

Here's some video of the Thornton/Orpik incident:

Orpik Ambushed By Thornton, In And Out Of Hospital

((HT: NESN))

The short version...

The Penguins Brooks Orpik hit the Bruins Loui Eriksson on the first shift in the game Saturday night. He was diagnosed with a concussion and didn't return to the game.

After Eriksson left, Shawn Thornton wanted a piece of Orpik- who didn't budge...

Then Brad Marchand was prone on the ice and all hell broke loose...

Here's the incident...


Thornton immediately fell on the sword:

"I feel awful. It wasn't my intention," Thornton said postgame. "I know Brooksy and have gotten to know him over the last seven years. I skated with him in the summer, through the lockout and texted him a couple of times. I feel awful. It's definitely not what I want anyone to see.

"... It's always my job, I guess, to defend my teammates. But I prided myself for a long time to stay within the lines. It's hard for me to talk about right now. I can't say 'I'm sorry' enough."

Thornton does have a call with the league office and it will interesting to see just how much of a penalty he gets from the guy who doles out the punishments, Brendan Shanahan.

Orpik was released from hospital and traveled with the team as they left town...

Self-Dentistry: Pascal Dupuis 2, John Tavares 1

((HT: NHL on NBC))

A week or so ago, you saw John Tavares yank out a tooth on the bench...

Last night, the Pittsburgh Penguins Pascal Dupuis was the victim of friendly fire from the stick of Kris Letang...
And this is what happened next...


Yeah...
Just "ew..."

Pens Swept In 4 By Boston: Now What...??? (UPDATED: With The Last Minute Of Play)

((HT: NHL on NBCSN/CBC))

For the first time in over thirty years, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been swept in a playoff series- losing 1-0 in Game 4 in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Boston Bruins.

Tuukka Rask only gave up two goals in the four games in the series. And the Pittsburgh Penguins seemed stymied (and that's putting it lightly) when their high-flying offense met the physical Bruins team and were no match for their status and stature.

Here's your game-winner...
The questions now will be raised on more than one level in Pittsburgh... Will Dan Bylsma get to come back in the first place after being a top seed that gets bumped around and bumped out... Answer: Prolly not... Who stays from the free agent pool and who gets let go...??? Pascal Dupuis should get a raise from his US$1.5-million, but will it be in Pittsburgh...??? Jarome Iginla made US$7-million this season... does he stay...??? Brendan Morrow at $4.1-million...??? Matt Cooke at $1.25-million...??? Douglas Murray, Craig Adams, and Mark Eaton are all unrestricted free agents and the cap is supposed to decrease... But how much blame should be laid at the skates of Malkin and Crosby who scored NO points at all... Not just in Game 4, but in the entire series... It will be a long summer in Pittsburgh where tempers are short and expectations are always high... Bylsma said his team left it "all out there" on the ice, but the Bruins survived the last minute and 50 seconds with a lot of help...
And it's times like that to reinforce why Doc Emrick should call every hockey game on the planet at all times...
Unless, you're Bob Cole or something like that...

ICYMI: Bruins Roll Pens in Double OT--Take Commanding 3-0 Series Lead (UPDATE:: Campbell's Leg Is Broken)

Okay, admit it, how many of you hockey fans thought the Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals would be this easy for the Boston Bruins?

Yeah, thought so.

The B's rode a Patrice Bergeron goal in double overtime, combined with stellar goalkeeping by Tuuka Rask for a 2-1 win Wednesday night and a 3-0 lead in their Best-of-7 series.

Rask stopped 53 of 54 shots, the goal happening at the end of period one.

And it took a great pass by Brad Marchand to a stunned Bergeron with less than 5 minutes to go in the second overtime to seal the deal.

Pittsburgh, which is fueled by stars Sydney Crosby and Evegni Malkin have gotten little or no production from their stars. As for Boston, in this game, they scored on their 1st shot of the game and then no more until the game winner.

It's not unheard of for a team trailing 3-0 in a series to comeback, but in this case, it sure doesn't look very likely.

Your highlights from NHL.com:

INJURY UPDATE: Gregory Campbell's leg is officially broken and not just a lower body injury. He's done for the playoffs. Campbell blocked a Evgeni Malkin shot in the second period... And just count how long he's still out on the ice defending the power play of the Penguins ((HT: NHL on NBCSN)) "The fact that he took that shot and he couldn't even move and he was still trying to play and get in the lane," said FOSG Brad Marchand after the game. "He did a great job and we really wanted to play for him and it just shows his character. He's always battling. He's always doing whatever he has to do, and he's been huge for us this playoffs so far."

When Do The Pens Start Gripping...???

((HT: CBC/NHL))

Right about now would be a good time, perhaps...???

The series with Boston is strength versus finesse (or speed) and right now strength is winning and has the Penguins completely out of their game... winning game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals 6-1

Last night was another example as the Pens, finally, went back to Marc-Andre Fleury in goal. But it took another Boston outburst to do it and the first shot went into the net behind Fleury, just to give him an appropriate welcome back...

Here's the highlights...
FOSG Brad Marchand's first of his two goals only 28 seconds in gave the Pens a heart attack and it didn't get any better. "Tonight we were just terrible," Sidney Crosby said after the game. "There is no other way to describe it." Yeah, that'd be about right...

Game 3 in Boston is Wednesday night...

Eastern Conference Finals Are Already Chippy

((HT: NHL on NBC/CBC))

There was no disputing that the Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Bruins and the Pittsburgh Penguins was going to be a face-to-face situation where neither side was going to flinch.

Evidence in that came in the form of the second period...

Boarding penalties on Matt Cooke (on Adam McQuaid) and then, with 30 seconds left in the period, by Brad Marchand (on James Neal) all hell broke loose. And when Evgeni Malkin decides to drop, then prevailing wisdom is that this is an extraordinary circumstance.


The HQ finds it interesting that Crosby made a point to woof with fellow captain Zdeno Chara.

But the talk went more toward:

1) Matt Cooke getting ejected for his hit on McQuaid and,
2) How some (Crosby) thought the officials let the game get out of hand and get to the point of having one of the games stars so frustrated that we was ready to drop...

Please review and discuss...
((HT: CSNNE.com))


Looks like Cooke will escape further punishment for Game 2, but odds are the HQ thinks he'll be on a short leash for the rest of the series...

Pens Take Care Of Sens: Wait For Bruins-Rangers

((HT: NHL/NBCSN))

With Tomas Vokoun in goal, there has been a feeling that the Pittsburgh Penguins would make a point- to outscore everyone if they needed to for a win, to protect their back-up goaltender, and to tell their starting goaltender, Marc-Andre Fleury, that all you have to be is hot to make a run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs...

It takes effort from everyone every night, sometimes it's someone you don't expect- and that's what it takes in addition to those who are expected to do their jobs (aka the "stars...") to win a title...

And last night, it was James Neal...

Here's the highlights- most of them are Pittsburgh

it's the first time the Pens are in the Eastern Conference finals since 2009- the year they won a Cup title...