MISSING THIS STADIUM CLASSIC WAS REGRETTABLE

I should have gone to the Stadium Classic. I thought about it, but wasn’t thrilled with the idea of paying a lot of money to sit out in the freezing cold a long way from the action. After watching the incredible scene unfold at Heinz Field on television, and seeing the Pens beat the hated Flyers, I regret not going. Some say the outdoor games have run their course, but Pittsburgh proved otherwise. It was a great night for the Pens, the city of Pittsburgh and the NHL.
• The win over the Flyers was nice, but so too was seeing Sidney Crosby score the first goal of the game against the rival Flyers. Crosby could very well have had his career end at Heinz Field a few years ago when he suffered a concussion in the Winter Classic. This time the Pens’ captain came out of the game healthy, thank goodness, and with a memory he’ll always remember.
• I’ve written here many times that I am opposed to the Penguins trading away high draft picks, especially when it is for a “rental player” who will most likely be gone at the end of the year. Jim Rutherford traded away his second rounder to Carolina for Ron Hainsey, a 35 year old guy who has never once been to the playoffs. While I don’t like surrendering the high pick, I do understand it. The Pens are decimated on the blue line and need defensemen. Hainsey can help. He’s a reliable defender who eats up minutes, according to hockey insiders. Clearly Rutherford was forced to over pay in this situation, and I won’t bash him for that. He is trying to get the Pens to win back to back Stanley Cups. I just hope that this moves pans out. Otherwise, the Pens have given away another high pick and have nothing to show for it.
• It was no surprise that Clint Hurdle named Gerrit Cole the Pirates’ opening day starter. It is a no brainer, in my opinion. Cole appears to be healthy as spring training gets underway in Bradenton. He needs to be, because there are a lot of question marks when it comes to the Buccos’ rotation. I’d love to be at Fenway Park in Boston when the Pirates open up the season. That will be a heck of a place to start the 2017 campaign.
• This has been a season to remember for IUP’s men’s basketball team. The Crimson Hawks finished the regular season with a 26-2 mark, the best in IUP history, and tied the PSAC record for most wins in a regular season. What’s more, IUP has won 17 straight games as they head to the conference tournament. I can’t say enough about Joe Lombardi and the job he does each year. IUP has made it to two national championship games under Lombardi. I have no idea if this team can go as far this year. But I do know that Joe Lombardi and his team have given IUP fans a team they can always be proud of. Good luck, guys.
• Congratulations are also in order for the IUP women for their 20-6 regular season record. Tom McConnell has also done a fantastic job with his team. Here’s to hoping both IUP teams win the upcoming PSAC Tournament and make a long run in the NCAA Tournaments.
• This is a year to forget for Pitt basketball. Not surprisingly, the Panthers were blown out by red hot North Carolina over the weekend. Still, that loss was nothing compared to the Panthers’ blowing a 19 point lead at Wake Forest last week. This has been a year to forget for Pitt. Kevin Stallings and his program have nowhere to go but up. If Panthers’ fans had their way, Stallings would also be out.
• Pro golfer Pat Perez didn’t hold back when describing the state of Tiger Woods’ game. He basically said the one time superstar is done. I read the comments and they are pretty strong. I also can’t say that I disagree with most of what he said. It’s hard to imagine Woods winning majors or competing again given his health issues. If Tiger can’t stand up due to back problems how is he going to swing a golf club? And if he hasn’t won a major in nine years during his prime, how does he expect to do so when he’s entering his forties? Perez is getting hammered for his remarks, and I can understand that. I also think he had a lot of guts for saying publicly what a lot of other PGA professionals have been thinking for the past couple of years.