REASON #82

Because ...

"He is a shining beacon of light and a true hero to anyone who has ever loved the sport of hockey."  

AND

"If we had more of you in this world, we'd all be better off."

I've had my inbox bombarded with this story (and links to it) today and I'm sure you may already have heard about or will hear about it sometime today.  So WHAT BETTER REASON for (and what better way than with the words of Kyle Smith's sister to convey it in) today's post?!!!

If you are not touched and inspired by this story after reading it then you do not have a heart!!  WE ARE TRULY LUCKY TO HAVE SID PLAY FOR (AND AS THE FACE OF) OUR BELOVED PITTSBURGH PENGUINS!!!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE
Encounter with Crosby warms the heart of Lisbon family

THIS IS DEFINITELY REASON TO INCLUDE THIS SONG IN TODAY'S POST!!!

**************

Where have all good men gone

And where are all the gods?

Where’s the street-wise Hercules

To fight the rising odds?

Isn’t there a white knight upon a fiery steed?

Late at night I toss and turn and dream of what I need

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night

He’s gotta be strong

And he’s gotta be fast

And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light

He’s gotta be sure

And it’s gotta be soonAnd he’s gotta be larger than life

Somewhere after midnight

In my wildest fantasy

Somewhere just beyond my reach

There’s someone reaching back for me

Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat

It’s gonna take a superman to sweep me off my feet

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night

He’s gotta be strong

And he’s gotta be fast

And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light

He’s gotta be sure

And it’s gotta be soon

And he’s gotta be larger than life

Up Where the mountains meet the heavens above

Out where the lightning splits the sea

I would swear that there’s someone somewhere

Watching me

Through the wind and the chill and the rain

And the storm and the flood

I can feel his approach

Like a fire in my blood

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night

He’s gotta be strong

And he’s gotta be fast

And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light

He’s gotta be sure

And it’s gotta be soon

And he’s gotta be larger than life

...
**************
~ "Holding Out For A Hero" - Bonnie Tyler ~

Crosby AND Neal Pictures of the Week

UPDATE:

Neal will play in the first game of Round 1 tomorrow night against the Bolts!!!  He told the media he'll be back in the lineup:

"I'm good to go and excited for my first playoff game."

I've FINALLY worked out my dilemma devoting equal amounts of time between my TWO hockey men (I'm so excited I came up with it ... not like it was a really difficult solution which I probably should've come up with it sooner!) ... I'm COMBINING THEM in my posts!!  

ANYWAY ...

Neal was back at practice today!!!

I was getting a little worried that I'd have to be concerned with two of my guys out with injuries, but it looks like I still only have to worry about the one (SID!)!!

It's good to hear (see) that Nealy is back on the ice with the rest of the team ... he has to be ready for his first playoff run!!!

AND Sid practiced with the team again today too; in fact, he skated on a line ... the fourth line with Comrie and Godard, but (like my friend said) A LINE NONETHELESS!!!  There he is with Rupper and Talbot (I just LOVE that stance of his ... IDK why I think everything he does is just so manly - I JUST DO, so deal with it!)!! LOL ; P

Penguin Radio Appearances (Today)

I've been trying to find podcasts of the ones that have already taken place, but haven't been too successful (things are harder to do at work!)!!

8:20 AM - James Neal on 93.7 FM, The Fan
8:30 AM - Chris Kunitz on 102.5 FM WDVE
8:50 AM - Pascal Dupuis on 96.1 FM, KISS
8:55 AM - Jordan Staal on 105.9 FM, The X
10:00 AM - Paul Martin on 970 AM, ESPN
++++++++++++++++++
1:20 PM - Ray Shero on 93.7 FM, The Fan
4:35 PM - Dan Bylsma on ESPN TV ("Rome Is Burning")
3-6 PM - Maxime Talbot on 105.9 FM, The X
5:20 PM Dan Bylsma on XM Radio (with Chris "Mad Dog" Russo)

Plum High School 2nd Annual Pittsburgh Penguins Lipdub

THANKS once again to my buddy, Aubri (who was part of the 150 students in the video), for passing this along!!  Another COOL lipdub from Plum High School (see their first one by CLICKING HERE!)!!!  It definitely gets you right into a playoffs mindset!!

From PlumHighSchoolTV on YouTube:

On Friday night, April 8, 2011 the Television Production students, National Honor Society, and their friends at Plum High School filmed our second annual Pittsburgh Penguins lipdub video. 150 students came up to school to film. We had our first ever special guest in attendance, which was the Pittsburgh Penguins mascot Iceburgh. We want to thank all the students that participated, Jim Kubus, Justin Labar and Melanie Wass from the Tribune Review, and Tom McMillan from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Also, Ed Albert from Inside Penguin Hockey, and all the students who gave up their Friday night to be a part of our 2nd annual Pittsburgh Penguin lipdub video. We decided to lipdub two songs this year, one from the 80's and a current song. We used "We're Not Going To Take It" from Twisted Sister, and "Dynamite" from Taio Cruz. Then we played our closing credits and other outtakes and highlights to "In Too Deep" from Sum 41.

We do not own the music used in this video.

Music Credit:

We're Not Going To Take It by Twisted Sister

Dynamite by Taio Cruz

In Too Deep by Sum 41

COMPLETE SCHEDULE for Round One Games of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Sometimes I don't think ... I posted the schedule for Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between Penguins VS Lightning without including an obvious link to the complete schedule.  I do realize not all of my followers are Penguins fans, so I APOLOGIZE for that!! Soooo ...

HERE'S A LINK to the complete schedule for Round 1 which nhl.com has now updated to include the network that will be broadcasting each game.

It's A Boy!!

THANKS to followers, Jessica and Adeleine, for passing along the baby news!!

LA Kings' Dustin Brown and his wife, Nicole, welcomed their third son yesterday (no word on a name yet); this baby boy has two older brothers - Jake (02/2008) and Mason (02/2009).

According to Twitter (DustinBrown23):

I'm excited to share that my wife Nicole and I welcomed our 3rd son this morning. 7 pounds 11 ounces, mom and baby are happy and healthy!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO DUSTIN, NICOLE, AND THE BROWN FAMILY!!

SCHEDULE: Penguins VS Lightning (Round 1)

The NHL recently released the schedule for the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs.  Here's Pittsburgh's:

• Wednesday, April 13th - Pittsburgh @ 7:00 PM
• Friday, April 15th - Pittsburgh, @ 7:00 PM
• Monday, April 18th - Tampa Bay @ 7:30 PM
• Wednesday, April 20th - Tampa Bay @ 7:30 PM
• Saturday, April 23th - Pittsburgh @ TBD*
• Monday, April 25th - Tampa Bay @ TBD*
• Wednesday, April 27th - Pittsburgh @ TBD*

* only if necessary

REASON #81
He Can ROCK a Suit and Tie
(like NO ONE else!)

I guess I really shouldn't have been in shock (and awe) when Sid came out on Fan Appreciation night with a suit and tie since we all know they dress like that to games and with him not playing, what else would he be wearing?!!

But I was taken back a little and quite happy to see him looking so good (and THAT SMILE!)!! 

It was good to see Sid dressed so nicely and looking SO GOOD, but it was even better to see him so happy being in a situation so natural to him (and one step closer to being back!)!!

LATE EDIT (just because it's on the radio now and it ALWAYS makes me think of SID!) ...

**************

Where have all good men gone

And where are all the gods?

Where’s the street-wise Hercules

To fight the rising odds?

Isn’t there a white knight upon a fiery steed?

Late at night I toss and turn and dream of what I need

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night

He’s gotta be strong

And he’s gotta be fast

And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light

He’s gotta be sure

And it’s gotta be soonAnd he’s gotta be larger than life

Somewhere after midnight

In my wildest fantasy

Somewhere just beyond my reach

There’s someone reaching back for me

Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat

It’s gonna take a superman to sweep me off my feet

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night

He’s gotta be strong

And he’s gotta be fast

And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light

He’s gotta be sure

And it’s gotta be soon

And he’s gotta be larger than life

Up Where the mountains meet the heavens above

Out where the lightning splits the sea

I would swear that there’s someone somewhere

Watching me

Through the wind and the chill and the rain

And the storm and the flood

I can feel his approach

Like a fire in my blood

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night

He’s gotta be strong

And he’s gotta be fast

And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light

He’s gotta be sure

And it’s gotta be soon

And he’s gotta be larger than life

...
**************
~ "Holding Out For A Hero" - Bonnie Tyler ~

Just So You Know ... I'm NOT Avoiding ...

Yes, the poll ended a few days ago and, NO, I'm not avoiding the outcome! ; P

I just haven't had time to post let alone deal with the outcome of the poll and, as you can see, the outcome has decided that I change the title graphic for the blog!!

THANKS to everyone who voted!!  I had a pretty good turnout and enough of you to vote to realize that the majority of you DO want the graphic to be updated and I HEAR YOU!!! ; )

It may not happen right away, but I will be working on a new one and it will be changed as soon as I have time to work on one!!

THANKS again for such a great response and letting your choice be known ... I am happy to share this blog with you and this is just another way I'm able to do that!!

So STAY TUNED for a new blog title graphic for HftL ... SOON!!!

SPECIAL: Fan Appreciation Pictures of the Week!!

BECAUSE I APPRECIATE YOU, the loyal HftL followers, JUST AS MUCH AS THE PENS APPRECIATE US ... THIS POST IS FOR ALL OF YOU!!!

ENJOY!!! ; )

It's Geno ... WE'VE MISS YOU!!!

  

 Fatherhood looks good on Johnny!!! ; )

A SUIT?!!! It's beyond my greatest expectations ...

I was envisioning jeans and a baseball cap (just as SEXY) ...

THANKS, Sid!!! You look so, so ... SO DAMN FINE!!

It's A Girl (Payton Marie Kunitz!)!!

SO MANY PENGUINS BABIES!!!

Today we welcome another member to the Penguins Family ... Chris Kunitz and his wife, Maureen, had a baby girl earlier this morning -- Payton Marie!! : )

According to the Penguins Report, Kuni will be in the lineup tonight against the NJ Devils.

CONGRATULATIONS TO CHRIS, MAUREEN, and BIG BROTHER ZACHARY!!

Crosby Picture of the Week

THIS is absolutely adorable ... even Disco Dan misses Sid (LOOK AT THOSE BIG GRINS!)!!  I love our HC (and SID!)!!

This team makes me smile non-stop (and that's a really GOOD THING!) ... ENJOY, ladies!!! ; )

PS -- Deb, we're thinking alike and it's starting to get a little scary - LOL ; D

I read your message right after posting this

(I'm assuming it's the same pic because it wouldn't show up in the email)!!!

STILL My ALL-TIME Favorite Pens "Fan Appreciation" Moment!!

After tonight's game against the New Jersey Devils, the Pens will once again give lucky fans the shirts off their backs!!

According to the Penguins webpage, 29 randomly chosen fans will be invited onto the ice to get the game-worn jersey from a Penguins player which will include both injured and / or those who do not dress for tonight's game (INCLUDING SIDNEY CROSBY!!)!  Just the anticipation of getting to see Sid back on the ice will be prize enough for me since I'm not lucky enough to be attending this game.  I can only imagine the reaction of the arena when he skates onto the ice and is called to give his jersey away (and that LUCKY, LUCKY fan!)!! And to see him with a baseball cap on ... and maybe jeans with his jersey ... mmmmmm ... OK, I'm getting off-track now!! ; )

In honor of tonight's "Fan Appreciation," I'm taking another look back at MY FAVORITE moment ... I originally posted it back in April 2009, but it's STILL - by far - my favorite moment of all time (UNTIL, that is, I'm lucky enough to get a jersey "off a Penguins back!")!!

I wasn't lucky enough to be there that night in 2009, but I was watching it unfold on my TV and it was just the greatest thing ever (I still remember it vividly) ... I mean, I was already anxious to see Sid give his jersey away, but to watch THIS ... it was just the cutest thing ever (and it's still my FAVORITE!)!!!

CLICK HERE to see what I'm talking about (and if you can remember it)!!  And please feel free to share your own memorable moments especially if you were lucky enough to claim a prize!

Photo from PPG

Just LOOK at that longer hair ... how I miss that hair ...

HOW I MISS SID!!!

It's A Girl (Everly Grayce Johnson!)!!

THANKS again to HftL followers, Kendra G. and Debbie B., for the "heads-up!"  I can't post as quick as you guys email ; P  THANK YOU!!!

This morning, Brent Johnson and his wife, Danielle, welcomed their first child into the world (a girl).  WELCOME TO THE PENS FAMILY, Everly Grayce Johnson!! : )

CONGRATULATIONS TO JOHNNY AND DANIELLE!!

It's A Boy!!

Baby news (that I wasn't able to get posted until now) ... THANKS to Adeleine E., Jessica D., and Kendra G. for updates!!!

NYI goalie winger, Michael Grabner, and his girlfriend finally welcomed their first-born into the world last Thursday (March 31st). 

Aidan Johann Grabner weighed in at 9 pounds and measured 20" in length ... that's a pretty healthy baby boy (SO CUTE!)!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO GRABS AND HIS GIRLFRIEND!!