Not a bad weekend for the Penguins on the annual father’s trip. The Pens scored a late goal in Dallas to salvage a point, and then dominated the Blues in St. Louis to end the weekend with three of four points. That’s exactly what they needed.
• It took awhile, but finally Sidney Crosby recorded his 400th goal. Crosby’s milestone in St. Louis makes him the 95th player in NHL history to score 400, and third fastest to 400. I doubt Crosby will make it to 690 like Mario Lemieux. I can assure you, however, that there will be many more, and hopefully more Stanley Cups to raise as well.
• I still think the Pens will make a move or two prior to the upcoming trade deadline. Then again, the way the Pens are playing they could elect to stand pat. Jim Rutherford has a history of dealing at the deadline and I still expect him to try to land a third or fourth line center. I’d be shocked if he pulls off a major deal, because the Pens simply don’t need to make that kind of move at this point. The next week will be interesting, and you can bet Rutherford’s phone will be buzzing.
• It was quite an emotional night when Marc Andre-Fleury returned to Pittsburgh the other night. The Flower got an incredible and most deserved welcome back from the Penguins and their fans. It certainly looked like Fleury had tears running down his face, and who could blame him. Fans also were treated to another goosebump-like moment when injured Steeler Ryan Shazier was recognized. What a night for Pittsburgh. Wish I could have been there.
• I like the two new additions to the Steelers’ coaching staff. Tom Bradley, the longtime Penn State assistant comes in to replace Carnell Lake. “Scrap” is a football lifer and will fit right in with the Steelers. Karl Dunbar will come in as defensive line coach, where he will learn from John Mitchell, one of the best in the game. I’ve known Karl since his playing days at LSU where Mitchell was his position coach. He’s been in the NFL and also worked for Nick Saban at Alabama the last two years. Both of these guys are good at what they do. They’re also exceptional guys.
• I attended my first ever Penn State wrestling match over the weekend. Penn State hosted Iowa in a match that was staged at the Bryce Jordan Center instead of the smaller Rec Hall. It was a heck of an atmosphere, and largest crowd to ever watch a Penn State sporting event other than a football game. The Lions wrapped up the Big Ten title outright. Soon they’ll try to bring home their eighth national championship in the last nine years.
• I love the Olympics, but have found it hard to get into the games yet. Perhaps it’s because they’re in South Korea. I’m sure as the games heat up so too will the ratings. Go USA!
