Saturday, October 30, 2010

Happy Halloween from the NHL (featuring Malkin Goal)

Perhaps a day early, but I figured you may as well have some time to enjoy it!!

The Penguins posted the latest NHL commercial (for Halloween) that features, among a few others, Malkin's "flying through the air" goal on Ottawa's Brian Elliott (during the Pens' 5-2 win over the Senators on October 18th).

"These guys are good - scary good!"
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!


Friday, October 29, 2010

Where My Ladies At?

THESE ARE OUR STORIES
(How I Became a [Female] Hockey Fan)!
Here's my hockey story:

Hockey has been a part of my entire life. Some of my earliest memories were sitting on our couch watching the Av's and throwing styrofoam blocks at the tv (aiming for the refs) when we didn't like the calls. Even though I didn't quite understand the game, I still loved it. My dad (and mom for two seasons) played in a rec hockey league and I would ALWAYS be at the games. I grew up in that place. To this day I go every Wednesday and I am always flooded with the memories.

Over the years I strayed from the game a little bit but whenever I was asked my favorite sport I never hestiated to say proudly, hockey. I was a fan but I wasn't what I would consider a "die hard" fan. I only watched the playoffs and the Stanley cup finals. That was it…until this year.

In September I was dealt a situation that I never thought I would ever go through. My father of whom I loved and had that special father daughter connection with had decided that he wasn't happy and was going to move out and leave my mother. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. Crushed, devestated, and betrayed would be more fitting words. And it wasn't too long before that "special connection" we had was slipping away. The physical distance was driving a wedge between us. Out of pure desperation to salvage our relationship I reached out and latched onto the closest thing...which happened to be hockey. I started watching all the games and when that didn't seem like enough I started following stats, players, and other teams. It has become a boredline obsession.

Time has passed and although I am not happy with my situation there's two good things that have come out of it. The first being my newly found connection with my mother and the second being refinding my love for the greatest game on earth. Being only 17 means I have a lot of life ahead of me but for now I go from day to day and look forward to the hockey games on week nights because sometimes something that small can improve my week tenfold and make my crappy situation seem just that much brighter.

-Stevie Rae <3
THANKS for sharing such a personal story, Stevie Rae!!  Having such an emotional attachment, especially at such a young age, to something can allow us to get through the toughest of situations and it's importance can place a more positive spin on the experience.  I'm glad that hockey has done that for you, Stevie Rae and hope that your situation has gotten better (or has at least allowed you to learn that you can make it until better times are here!)!!

Don't forget, if you wish to submit your story, I kindly ask that you
email them directly to me so they don't end up being repetitive for some of the readers. Also, if you don't want me to include your name, please let me know that as well (what I'll normally do is put your first name and last initial if I have it OR just your screen name).

FEEL FREE TO INCLUDE A PICTURE!!


I also want to let you know I LOVE these stories (and so do alot of our readers) - I've always found it interesting no matter who the fan, so I'm enjoying ALL OF THIS IMMENSELY!! KEEP THEM COMING, but I ask that you
email them please - THANKS!!!

Also, I ask that you please BE PATIENT as I'm still receiving TONS of stories (they'll be posted in the order I received them, to be fair). If you sent in a story, it will eventually be on the blog - I promise!! ; ) JUST BE SURE TO KEEP THEM COMING (the more the better!)!! AS A NOTE, I'm currently on stories I received back in January 2010!!!


thesteelcitysportsfan@gmail.com

Thursday, October 28, 2010

MORE 2011 Winter Classic Uniform Pics

Here are a few more pictures from earlier today when Jordan Staal and Evgeni Malkin modeling the new 2011 Winter Classic jersey / uniforms.

PHOTO: 2011 Winter Classic Jersey

Geno and Staalsy modeling the new uniforms
(check out the striped socks!)
Penguins Winter Classic jerseys will be available for sale to the public the week of Nov. 15. They will be available at numerous retail outlets, including Dick’s Sporting Goods and the PensGear stores at CONSOL Energy Center.

The Penguins just unveiled their jersey for this season's Winter Classic!!  MORE PICS TO FOLLOW!!!

Penguins Unveil Winter Classic Jersey TODAY!!

Today after the Penguins workout / practice, the team will be unveiling their special, third 2011 Winter Classic jersey ...

It will be during a "jersey ceremony" at which the players will be wearing the jersey ... Penguins LIVE will be covering it and detailing it over the radio (around 1-1:15 PM).

CHECK BACK for details!!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

LATE BREAKING HftL NEWS: Hartnell Shaves Head [for Charity!]

[UPDATE]
It turns out that Hartnell cut his hair for a more charitable reason ... he is donating it to "Locks of Love" and told FlyersTV that it was his first haircut in three years - WOW!


[sorry we're a little late with the news - the picture was taken (and Hartnell "debuted" his new 'do) on Saturday, October 23rd ... some things have come up over the past few weeks that have kept us from blog duties]

Well ... not a full-on shave, but compared to his mop prior to this, he really did some chopping and I have to say, it looks nice!!  Definitely a difference, huh?!!!

What do you ladies think (ECEC material?)???

We actually have to credit a friend's husband for bringing this to our attention (who shall remain nameless out of respect for him - LOL)!!! ; P

Crosby Pics of the Week

Let's get back into the swing of things with a few good pics of our own Captain Crosby!!  What a better way to celebrate the start of the hockey season (and the month of October) than with Sid's most recent promos for "Hockey Fights Cancer."  Very NICE!!

ENJOY!! : )










Here's lyrics to a song that is fitting for one of these posts (I'm not sure if you guys remember, but one other time I thought it was appropriate to include lyrics to "I Need a Hero" for one other Crosby Pic of the Week post and never had the chance to do it again because that song is just TOO FITTING - nothing else seems as fitting ... not sure this song is more or even just as fitting, but some days it does fit the bill - for ME!)!!! ; P


I was never the kind
To be taking my time
Any place that's worth a damn

And today's another day
That I've gone and thrown away
And I don't care where it lands
'Cause I'm just thinking about us

I've been living in a dream about you
And now I know you were all I ever wanted on my mind

And if I never see
My own reality
Well, I'm okay to leave it all behind

I'll be gone for a time
Tuning out for a while
It's gonna look like I'm not all there

I've decided that today
Seems alright to piss away
Ignore my empty stare
'Cause I'm just thinking about us

I've been living in a dream about you
And now I know you were all I ever wanted on my mind

And if I never see
My own reality
Well, I'm okay to leave it all behind

When I come down
And look around
I can't believe
The fantasy is gone like a memory
Out of my reach
Fading out from me
You're fading out from me

I've been living in a dream about you
And now I know you were all I ever wanted on my mind

And if I never see
My own reality
Well, I'm okay to leave it all behind

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Penguins Release Schedule for Third and Winter Classic Jerseys

Kris Letang and HC Bylsma
(Sam Kasan / Penguins.com)
The team had practice at the Iceoplex today wearing their alternate blue [practice] uniforms.  They will also be unveiling the special jersey for the Winter Classic later this month.

The schedule for the third jersey and Winter Classic jersey:

Oct. 15 - NY ISLANDERS (Third)
Oct. 30 at Carolina (Third)
Nov. 17 - VANCOUVER (Third)
Nov. 27 - CALGARY (Third)
Dec. 6 - NEW JERSEY (Third)
Dec. 26 at Ottawa (Third)
Jan. 1 - WASHINGTON (Winter Classic)
Jan. 8 - MINNESOTA (Third)
Jan. 22 - CAROLINA (Third)
Feb. 10 - LOS ANGELES (Winter Classic)
Feb. 23 - SAN JOSE (Third)
March 12 - MONTREAL (Winter Classic)
March 27 - FLORIDA (Third)

Fleury with new "alternate" pads
(Sam Kasan / Penguins.com)

In Memory: Taylor Vit (1987 - 2010)

by Maureen L.

CoolCatsHockey.com
It has already been reported that on Monday, October 11, University of Kentucky senior Taylor Vit passed away from injuries sustained in a car accident on Sunday October 10. Police report that Vit was not wearing his seat belt and was traveling alone. Many thoughts and prayers go out to Taylor’s family and friends, his teammates, and the entire UK community for this tragic loss.

Taylor Vit was a senior at UK, one of the team’s assistant captains, and a dynamic hockey player. A native of Villanova, PA (near Philadelphia), Taylor transferred to UK in his sophomore year. He was absolutely dynamic and a huge part of the UK team, leading the team in scoring. In his first year with the Wild Cats, he put up 51 points in 32 games (24G, 27A). He exploded last season, logging, 89 points in 33 games (39G, 50A). This season, he was off to a fantastic start with 18 points in the first 5 games (9G, 9A). The Wildcats are currently 7-0 on the season, a record they’ll hope to improve on this weekend when they play in the ACHA D2 Showcase in Youngstown, OH. They’ll be playing the tournament in memory of Taylor. The Wildcat’s general manager, Ian Ward described Vit as “an extremely good hockey player” as well as a bright student with a good sense of humor.
"He was the epitome of success in a young man. It's tragic, and the loss to the team is going to be as big as you can ever imagine."
Brian Shlonsky / Kentucky Kernel
On Thursday, October 7, Vit’s 7 goals helped lead the Wildcats to 17-2 victory over the Louisville Cardinals. On Saturday, October 9, the Wildcats hosted the Cincinnati Bearcats. In what would turn out to be Taylor’s final game, they beat the Bearcats, 12-8. Interviewed after the game, Vit spoke with pride about what he and his teammates had accomplished to start the season but was also focused forward on the upcoming tournament.
“You couldn’t ask for anything more than to be undefeated. Teams will try to play their best now knowing that we haven’t lost yet and the games will just get harder and harder. It will give us a chance to get better.
Asked about the upcoming tournament: “We get to play good teams that we don’t usually play. It’s a great opportunity to show we can play and to impress the rankings committee. We just have to be prepared to play on the road. We have to be ready to play just like we do back home. If we can play like we’re home, we can find ourselves with some quality road wins.”

As his teammates replaced their Facebook images with his jersey number (14) and resumed practice on Tuesday, they were joined with the UK hockey community in mourning the loss of one of their own. Teammate Danny Graham expressed just how tough it will be without him. He described Vit as the backbone of the team and leaving shoes that are impossible to fill. Vit wasn’t just a team favorite but a crowd favorite as well. Chris Martin owns the pro shop that overlooks the rink where the Wildcats practice and compete and spoke highly of the talented young athlete, remembering the last time Vit had come in to have his skates sharpened.
"Sitting on that couch right there, just sitting waiting on his skates. He was really quiet. He was a quiet guy, and he was kind of a gentle type of a person. Everybody here is going to miss him, even down to the parents and the guys at the concession stand will miss him," Martin said, "It's just going to take some time."
While working on this piece, I had the opportunity to speak with Char, a UK student and hockey fan who knew Taylor personally. She told me about meeting him at a party her freshman year and how he made her feel instantly welcome. She also told me a little about watching Taylor play:
“I loved to watch him play. The first thing I noticed about him was his fluidity. It sounds crazy, but he was so smooth on the ice. He had a quiet way about him, but once he was on that ice, he made you look. It wasn't hard to see that he was the heart of that team. Taylor was an amazing person. He was classy on and off the ice. And that’s a special kind of hockey player.”
Charles Bertram/KentuckySports.com
Obviously Taylor Vit’s importance as a friend, teammate, classmate, player, role model, and member of the UK Community cannot be diminished. He will be with his teammates through every game this season, win or lose. The Kentucky Kernel featured a piece by one of Taylor’s teammates, Patrick Sullivan, in which he wrote:
“Club hockey players only get five years of eligibility, but Taylor will be an active member of the team forever and I don’t think a single fan, player or official, will mind.”
No, we won’t mind. Taylor Vit will always be a part of University of Kentucky hockey. Number 14 will forever hold very special spot on the Wildcats roster.

You can read Patrick Sulivan’s entire column here: http://kykernel.com/2010/10/12/hockey-team-becomes-hockey-family/

I also want to extend special thanks to Char G. for sharing her personal experiences.

Sources:

End The Night RIGHT (Sid's Goal and Celebration)

BECAUSE ITS HOT (you're welcome!)!!! ; )



Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Thoughts and Prayers to Vit Family and UK Hockey

S. Hannigan / UKHockey.com
Please remember to keep the family of University of Kentucky hockey player, Taylor Vit, as well as the entire UK hockey team and community in your thoughts and prayers.  Vit passed away yesterday afternoon after being fatally injured in an automobile accident this past Sunday. 

May God bless all of you with peace and comfort during this difficult time.

Vit was one of two alternate captains on the college hockey team (the Wildcats / "Cool Cats"), #14 (there have been many sites already dedicated to his number including a Facebook page).

According to the American Chronicle:
An assistant captain of the University of Kentucky hockey team died Monday afternoon after a crash Sunday in which the sport utility vehicle he was driving rear-ended a LexTran bus.

Taylor Vit, 22, of Villanova, Pa., was pronounced dead at 3:32 p.m. at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center, according to the Fayette County Coroner's Office.

He was driving a 2007 Nissan Xterra when he rear-ended the bus as it was pulling to a stop on Newtown Pike near Fourth Street just before 5 p.m. Sunday, police said.
THANK YOU also to HftL reader, Char G., for the following:
if you don't mind, could you ask the girls to pray for a University of Kentucky hockey player, #14, Taylor Vit. He was killed in a car accident on Sunday and although he wasn't drafted by any NHL team, he had such talent and heart that was remarkable in any hockey player (in fact he reminded me a lot of Sid :-) )

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Crosby Picture of the Week

This picture was sent to us by a loyal HftL follower - um, THANKS!!!  Yes ... thanks for the fact that I can't get anything done at work because GUESS WHAT MY NEW SCREENSAVER IS - lol!!! ; P

ENJOY, ladies (and I had to enlarge this as much as possible for obvious reasons ... and don't forget your tickets to the gun show - LOL!)!!!!!