Pens 'Stache Tracker 2010 - FEBRUARY

Not only are the Pens motivating players at the beginning of every month with they newly employed "Moustache Shootout" competition, but it has also turned into a big point of interest among us fans!!

Today, fans PACKED the Iceoplex in Southpointe to witness which player would be the next to grow the newly fashionable players stache

Since this is a monthly occurrence and one that fans are so interested in, Ive decided to create a "Stache Watch" to announce the "loser" as well as to keep an eye on how the facial hair is coming along throughout the month ... ENJOY!!!

But FIRST, let's take a moment of silence as the outgoing stache man shaves off his moustache ... R.I.P - Billy G's "Up-and-Coming Porn Star" Stache or, simply, "The Guerin" (photo courtesy of Lexie H.).


FEBRUARY'S "LOSER" - Ruslan Fedotenko ("BEFOREstache")

"LOSER" QUOTE - "I already did it once so it’s easy," Fedotenko said. "On me you probably won’t even be able to tell until the last week."

MY THOUGHTS - SWEET ... the invisible stache (aka ... "The Fedotenko") ... can't wait to see this one!!!

AND BE SURE TO JOIN OUR NEW "Pens 'Stache Tracker 2010" FACEBOOK GROUP!!!

Underwood and Fisher Make First Public Appearance Since Engagement

This past Monday was the Ottawa Senators' charity ball, "Bell Sens Soirée" and it wasn't any of the players that were getting all of the attention, according to cbcsports.ca (courtesy of above photo).

When Fisher stepped up to the microphone to say a few words about the event with Underwood at his side, the couple drew machine-gun like volleys of flashbulbs. After his remarks, the couple struck a cuddly pose together for the
cameras.

At one point in the evening, Fisher took a turn as dealer at one of the blackjack tables.

The event was held at the Hilton Lac-Leamy Convention Centre in Gatineau, Quebec and raised $325,000 for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, CSSS de Gatineau Foundation, Royal Ottawa Hospital Foundation, Queensway Carleton Hospital, Roger's House and Rotary Home.

When asked recently, Carrie acknowledged her hopes for a small wedding, but told the source that it wasn't very likely to happen.

SEE MORE PICS ON THE SENS WEBPAGE, HERE

Where My Ladies At?

THESE ARE OUR STORIES
(How I Became a [Female] Hockey Fan)!

Most people start their story by saying that they were attending a Penguins game during the dark ages of few wins. My story starts last November.

I began to take interest in the Penguins when they made their run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2008 when my dad, born and raised in Pittsburgh, had them on the TV every other day. I'd sit, and I'd watch, but wouldn't really get excited about them. I didn't even watch game 6 of the Finals. Despite this, I really liked the thought of hockey, so for my 16th birthday, my uncle got me tickets to a game on my birthday. We went and it was probably the best experience of my life. I loved it.

Two weeks prior to my birthday and the game, I had torn the ACL in my right knee on my first day of basketball practice and was scheduled to have surgery on December 23rd, just in time for Christmas... Now, I was confined to the couch for the next two weeks, and what's on TV almost every other day than the Penguins? I watched them religiously, and I'm pretty sure illegally on the internet. It took my mind off my limp and useless leg lying in front of me. When school started back up right after New Year's Eve, the Penguins were beginning to flail and fall quick.

My high school basketball team, where I was supposed to play Varsity for the second year, as a sophomore, was also beginning to fall to pieces without me, their inside presence, and a new coach. To take my mind off not being able to play, I watched hockey, and rooted on the Penguins through their slump, when they hired Dan Byslma, and when it looked like they wouldn't make the playoffs.

The Penguins made the playoffs as I was cleared to play again. We succeeded together; as I was getting better, they won 8 straight games or so. I loved the fact that they, a hockey team that had no idea I existed, helped me through my injury, or so I thought. Hockey kept my mind off of what was really happening. I made myself my own world and submersed myself to escape from everything. Now, I'm a diehard Penguins fan. I stalk the players after the games and I make sure I know what's happening at all times. I followed the off-season and wore black when Rob Scuderi was traded to the Kings. Female fans are known as puck bunnies, but I'd like to see any man one-up me on Penguin facts.

Jenna

AWESOME, Jenna!! I hope you're doing better now (it sounds like you are) and I hope your team is doing well too (still playing basketball, I assume). We all need outlets especially during rough patches - we've all been there ... teams, just as people, go through that too. I'm glad to hear that you stuck by our boys, Jenna, and gained some inspiration at the same time ... THANKS for sharing this with us, Jenna - it's a great story!!

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).

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 in addition to the ones that are already posted in some of the "comments" sections here that I'm hoping to re-post. 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!)!!

thesteelcitysportsfan@gmail.com

The Pensblog KNOWS Hockey Fans (Including Female VS Puck Bunny)

ROCK ON Pensblog dudes!!

I'm just a tad bit late with this one (I found it the day they posted it, but haven't had a chance to work on posting it here until now), but the guys over at the infamous Pensblog just "released" their very own "Guide to Hockey Fans" which includes a pretty "mark-on" [scary] description of the "puck bunny" that also includes the GREAT LINE: "Please do not make the mistake that all female hockey fans are puck bunnies. Doing so will probably get you kicked in the balls."

Nothing more needs said there - PERFECT!! ; D

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the post (I've already included the "Puck Bunny" section below):

Puck Bunnies

Her signs will likely feature glitter. So will her eyes.

Penguins puck bunnies know precisely five players on the team: Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Letang and Fleury. They will always rank them according to relative dreaminess.
During pre-game warmups, they rush down to the glass, convinced that Jordan Staal will be plowing their sod that night if only they can make eye contact.

Please do not make the mistake that all female hockey fans are puck bunnies.
Doing so will probably get you kicked in the balls.

How to identify this fan:

If she emits a piercing shriek that leaves your ears bleeding every time the PA guy says "Sidney Crosby", you're sitting next to a Puck Bunny.

REASON #58
He's the NHL's "Third Star" this week

Crosby notched eight points (three goals, five assists) in three games, helping the Penguins (32-20-1) record victories over a pair of Atlantic Division foes. He tied a career high with six points (two goals, four assists) in a 6-4 victory over the New York Islanders Jan. 19, tallied one goal in a 6-3 loss to the Washington Capitals Jan. 21 and recorded one assist in a 2-1 win at Philadelphia Jan. 24 -- his 53rd point in 31 regular-season games against the Flyers (24-29--53). Crosby ranks among NHL leaders in goals (T-second, 33), points (fourth, 65) and shots (fourth, 194).

Say Cheese (While You Take Your Clothes Off)!

This has been the talk of the internet since yesterday when the pictures were posted on Orland Kurtenblog - featuring Chicago Blackhawk players Patrick Kane and John Madden in what looks to be a pretty fun-filled night (so OF COURSE we have to cover it here!).

The post (in letter-to-the-athlete form) simply talks about the fact that athletes are human and it being completely understandable for them to partake in human activities that we all have or wished we had taken part in during one time or another in our lives, but that these athletes should think a little more when it comes to their choice to pose when someone pulls out a camera during these "questionable" activities.

I mean, if you knew and trusted the people you were with during a fun night out, wouldn't you feel comfortable enough to do stupid things and then be agreeable to pose for pictures while doing it (and at the time, since you trusted those people, you felt comfortable enough in the fact that it was just understood that the pictures were to remain between you?)? I'm sure we've all been there and can relate to that; however, the only problem is the fact that it only takes ONE time or ONE person for it to get in the wrong hands at the wrong time. OR PERHAPS I'm giving them a little bit too much credit and the boys were just stupid enough to pick up trash that would smear this shit all over ... in that case, WISE UP guys!!!

Of course there was the debate about whether or not the photos were legit. I'm not going to argue that here because all possible scenerios and explanations have been hashed out elsewhere aside from the fact that I'm not an expert, but what I will say is that whether or not these photos are real, I believe that what they do is their choice and they have a right to do whatever they wish (and their money allows) them to do in their free time.

But my main point is ... so what?! It's none of my business!!! And seriously, some of us or the people we know and hang around could easily have our faces pasted on these pictures and no one would think twice or debate about it (we've quite possibly been in similar situations ourselves). It's just unfortunate for these athletes that the only difference is the fact that they're recognizeable and in the public eye (but that was something that I'm sure they understood came along with their choice to become a professional athlete). [LATE EDIT] Although we all have consequences to contend with no matter how different they may be (for John Madden, it would seem he has some explaining to do to his wife and their child which is a shameful situation to be in for him / heartbreaking for his family, and still not for me to judge).

I'm not condoning or condemning what these players do (and they're not immune to making big-ass mistakes), but I don't think it's necessary to analyze them, their actions, or their choice of entertainment in their spare time (if Kane or any other player lucky enough to be in the NHL wants to take a chance of messing up a golden opportunity, that's his problem and not mine) -- let's see ... who's missing from these pics? [*cough*] Sharp [*cough*] Toews [*cough*]!

: D

I don't know about you, but I have enough in my life to keep me busy without worrying about someone else; namely, looking at gorgeous hockey players and doing "research" for this blog - I have my hands FULL enough with that!! I mean, when I look at these pictures all I'm thinking is "MAN, hockey players have nice bodies - what LUCKY girls!"

; P

[LATE EDIT] The thing that I found most amusing, aside from all the views people have taken over this situation and how much coverage it's been getting, is one writer's perspective of it being all about the Blackhawks 'tough guy' image (i.e., they don't look like rugged hockey players in these pictures but rather a cross between the Backstreet Boys and N'Sync). To that I must hang my head in shame [rolls eyes!]!! This guy is a credited Chicago journalist and he gets paid for that shit?!!! The media is definitely going down-hill quickly (soon they might catch up to the likes of Kane and the rest)!!! : D

THANKS for the "tip," MM!! : )

Operation: Behind Enemy Lines

Our fellow Penguins fans are THE BEST!!! Cases in point ...














THANKS to both Lexie H. and Melany M.for sharing the following story of their courageous trek to pretty unfriendly territory, Philadelphia, just to watch our boys play the Flyers last Sunday afternoon (and pictures to go along with it which always makes it that much more FUN!)!!

So, first off never ask Philly natives for directions, i swear we went in circles most of the time! But we did made it there! When we got there we saw a group of penguin fans, so Melany rolled down her window and yelled Pens Fans, Yeah!" and they invited us over and we all got some group pictures. We then continued our journey into the box office at the arena to get our magical wristbands that got us into the Lexus Club, and what we would soon find out is between the exercise room and the locker room for the Penguins. We walked down to the Lexus club and got to see the where the Flyers are interviewed and whatnot Then continued to find our friendly little usher guy who was talking to us saying how if any Flyer fans give us trouble to let him know and he will take care of it when...*GASP* Sidney Crosby, Pascal Dupuis, and Matt Cooke walked right by us, I was just standing there like 'Oh My God is this a dream?', My mom was just said "Hey Sid" and Melany had been facing the other way when my mom had said that and was like "WHAT?!", in the meantime Matt walked like right beside us! And they are all in their shorts because they're playing soccer :) Then maybe a minute later Mel was on her knees trying to catch her breath, i am pretty much just sitting on the floor shocked and then Billy Guerin goes by...then Skoula(Melany did not know this because she was trying to stand up and almost ran into him and Alex Goligoski and Alex Goligoski laughed at us, as i managed to cough out a "good luck!" We stayed there a little longer and then decided to go take a breather and Tweet and Facebook what had just happened, when our friendly little usher came over and says "now, you didn't hear this from me but...if you stand over there with me and you can speak up on your own you can get their autographs..." So we went back over with our usher guy and waited, and Billy G came out and i had to get his attention because Mel was too excited so it went like this..."Billy G?(in high pitched voice) will you sign my jersey?"..."sure"..."Thank you Billy"..."No Problem" and then he had to find Melany to give her sharpie back, and then Godard came out so i was like "Eric could you please sign this?"..."Sure thing!(all smiley)", and then i turn around for maybe one second and turn to see Jordan just sprinting across the room! LOL! Then Eaton was walking by and i was like "Good Luck Mark!" and he look right at me smiles and says "Thank you" , then Mike Rupp walks by i say "Good Luck Rupp!" and get no response...he comes back i say "GOOD LUCK MIKE!" and he looks at me chuckles and says "Thank you" :) Then Dupuis walks by and Melany goes "oh...uh... mmm... ugh... I hope you feel better soon Duper!" and he said thanks, and I thought he was through the doors and Melany said "Wow, those were some tight shorts!" And he heard it! LOL! Then there was Craig Adams Melany was like "Yeah Craig Adams!" and he just shook his head and laughed! Geno smiled when Melany told him good luck and Melany freaked because it was the last penguin that she needed to talk to! When they were done playing soccer, Cookie came out, looked like he was gonna come our way, saw all the people that had gathered, and quickly turned and went straight to the locker room. Then in warm ups Dupuis had this big goofy smile on his face when he saw me and then he waved *it was AH-mazing!!! Then Melany gave her Billy G autographed ticket to the little boy behind us*

All i have to say after this trip is that the boys MUST know us by now! :) (they just don't know our names, LOL)

~ Lexie

THANKS also to Maureen, who also travelled to Philadelphia to attend the same game (separate from Lexie and Mel), and sent me this story along with a link to a few pictures:

I was lucky enough to get to go to the Pens vs Flyers game today at the Wachovia. I had glass seats on the end the Pens shot twice it, it was awesome. I saw both of our goals get scored!

After the game, a few of the guys skated over to wave to us (as we were wearing our jerseys), and give us a thumbs up. I was able to get some awesome pics, so I thought I would share a few with you and the ladies on the board. I have more too...

Maureen
(aBurghGirl)

CLICK HERE to view her pictures