The guys (and I mean ALL of them) stopped into Excuses Bar & Grill (Hockey Central) on Pittsburgh’s beautiful Southside last Friday night for some fun! I had a quick chat with M.A. Fleury and after a handshake that almost broke my damn hand, he assured me that we would be in good shape next season. It was after the feeling came back to my hand that I realized 
that I had just shaken the hand of a Stanley Cup AND Olympic Champion!
One of my hockey buddies had a quick chat with Billy Guerin and asked him if he was coming back. Billy replied with a hearty and believable “hell yes!”.
Sarge and Geno were about the only guys not present for Sid’s karaoke version of “American Pie”. I’m guessing they were on a quick plane out to play for Mother Russia. Brooksie and Godard had a ball as well, as did Staahlsie, Chris x2- Kunitz and Letang (Tanger even signed the lucky jar of TANG that the hockey guys have added to the shrine of lucky and not so lucky charms). Adams also grabbed the mic for some Karaoke fun! I couldn’t help but notice that Brent Johnson is quite a big guy! I think he’s one of the best backup goalies we’ve had in a LONG while.
At the end of the night, when the lights came on, the guys announced an after hours shindig at Max Talbot’s Southside Pad.
After all was said and done (and sung) I wondered if those same guys would be together next season. Of course I know the answer is no, but it was nice while it lasted. Enjoy the Summer guys! Thanks for a fun season!
They did it again: Pictures: The Penguins Stopped by Excuses Again!
View bigger pictures and more pictures: PenguinPoop photos Pittsburgh Penguins singing karaoke at Excuses
So. Can you at least spell the players names correctly, please? There is no “h” is Staal. Godard only has one “d” in the middle. The story and pictures are great, but you just look stupid when you misspell the names of players you supposedly love.
Oh. And it’s Kris Letang.
Just saying.
Shultzie and I butt heads about opinions, from time to time. The misspellings are trivial. Sometimes, people get excited. As he did posting this. But, he’s a good friend and we’re all Pens fans.
It was a special and unexpected night. Full of great memories. And, I know I grateful for it. Because, The Pens had fun. We had fun. And, I think it took the sting out of how this season ended.
We are spoiled in this town, when it comes to Sports and we have a high expectation.
When the Pirates quit losing by, almost, 3 touchdowns, we may salvage that and honor it’s legacy. But, in the meantime, some professional athletes in this town can drink the Kool-Aid the Pens can offer lessons, on how to conduct yourself in public.
Proud of our Pens!!
Hey, I’m sorry. I was grumpy when I posted this. I can only imagine what you guys were feeling. That must have been amazing! We really are lucky with our guys and its so great to see them out having a good time with the fans.
I feel like a jerk and I apologize. I’m defensive of Eric Godard (I know way too many people who forget he’s on the team) and so when I see things like that, it gets to me.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I’m incredibly jealous.
I would like to apologize, Shultzie has been under a lot of pressure. Not only has Shultzie just gone back to school, (no, not to learn how to spell, but that’s not a bad idea) his wife is ready to give berth to a big headed baby Shultzie. As his editor, I was drinking heavily the night of Shultzie’s post and my spell check was on the fritz. Staahlsie is Shultzie’s pet name for Staal, spelled similar the Stihl saw on purpose. The Godard and Letang there is no excuse for and I contacted Eric and Kris this morning and apologized. Plus I fixed the spelling.
Rumor has it that Shultzie’s kid is going to be named Southside Jr. But that’s just a rumor I started one sentence ago.
Again, I feel like a jerk. Like I said, I just get really defensive (mostly because I’m accused of being a puck bunny by people who have never had a conversation with me) and I was already pretty grumpy. I’m so glad we have the players we do and that they’re so willing to just hang out and be themselves, especially with fans. 🙂
Don’t worry about it! Up until about 3 weeks ago I thought puck bunny just meant a female hockey fan, sort of a term of endearment. I had know idea calling someone a hockey fan of any sort could be used as slander. Luckily I never used the term.
Feel free to point out all of our mistakes, there have been and will be many. My spell check demands a raise everytime Shutlzie turns in a post.
Plus – stop in Excuses sometime – Alisa can turn frowns upside down with her magical elixirs.
Aww, you don’t want to tell me that. I’m a journalism major. 😉
I already told my friends they have to take me to Excuses for my 21st this fall. I’ll be there. 🙂
No worries. I bought Shultz some crayons and paper. We’re starting over. 🙂 When you turn 21, I’d like to buy your first drink. Good luck to you!
A big shout out goes to the Penguins Poop editor. Liz, indeed, is going to have a Big Headed Shultz Baby. *still giggling*. She’s such a tiny thing. We have a pool on the name. But, I could see, “Southside Icing He Couldn’t Hit a Bull in The Ass With A Banjo Le Tang is French for The Tang” Jr.
Aww, thanks, Alisa! I’ll be there. 🙂
BABYYYY! <3
Dear editor, You spelled birth wrong.
aaaaaaaargh!!!! Stupid spell check! I just can’t win can I. Thanks!
In your defense, at least that form of berth is still a word.
<3
lol. I looked at my post and see a few run on sentences. A few missing letters. I’m going to join Shultz. With his crayons. But, I want the really cool Crayola 3-D sidewalk chalk to work on my lingo.
There’s 3-D sidewalk chalk now?!
*runs to find some*
there r lots of pics of the pens ,but only a far distant shot of what might be Crosby….did he leave be4 the pics/
Look closely at the pic of Sid- His bodyguard (who was a very nice guy) asked if we would put the cameras away and promised that Sid would be available for pix and autographs later. We did and he did! What a nice guy! He told the Karaoki Queen that he was nervous. I thought that was funny!
I’m the bar manager at Excuses. We’ve been a neighborhood bar on the South Side for past 22 years. Our hockey crowd..men and women..are here for every game. They fight the fight and go through the emotional roller coaster with the team for EVERY single game. ALL season long. We’re the little people. Knowledgeable about our sports and have become a family doing it.
When the players showed up on Friday, we wanted them to feel like we do. Like it’s home. There were some agreed photos and group shots, but for the most part. We let the Boys be boys. They gave us 3 glorious seasons with a month and a half off. Plus, Olympic break.
And, they were charming, down to earth, bought rounds for our regulars to thank them, and as Andi Shacklett would say, “Cuter Than Christmas.”
They came to hang out. Like anybody would. After a hard year. Day. Or be with all their family, for just one more time.
Sidney Crosby keeps a low profile. And, as a disclaimer, I would like to add that all of the Pens had a responsible way home. Whether it be their wives picking them up or limos waiting to take them home.
Sid’s bodyguard asked us not take photos. Most of us respected his wishes and let The Kid be a Kid. And, let him be. One photo was taken. It’s what you see. You may think it’s selfish to post. But, I did. Because of our hockey crowd. A great night. Full of great memories. And one more thing I didn’t even know that I wanted to check off My Bucket List.
I’m grateful for all the memories that we have here and The ones at The Igloo. But,I’m more excited to see what Shero, our new season and The Consol have waiting for us!
Let’s Go Hunt Moose on a Harley!!
American Pie is quite a choice for Crosby! That’s a long song – I bet he lost a bet! I see Haufbrau House boots on their tables – I bet they were there first!
Sid sang Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'”. He was put on the spot by his teammates and asked Laura, our karoake diva, what to sing. She suggested that because it was a popular choice. Craig Adams and Co. sang “American Pie”.
Sorry, I meant Geno’s brother.
Anyways, the song Sid sang, was it Don McLean’s hit ‘American Pie’?
It’s not Goeno’s fault, he’s Russian- there some weirdnee to thei sense of fashion. Just saying..
Also, sooooooo diassapointed that there’s only one picture of Sidney…from far away at that. Oh well.
Hey Shultzie,
Great job on the reporting and the photos. HMMMM I wonder where The Penguin Poop official reporter “Champ Kind” was when all of this was happening???
A seedy hotel in St. Clairesville?
My friend was saying that one of you recorded Crosby singing on your phone – Is that true? Can you post it?
haha awesome… me and my buddies were there, too! apparently some of the players started at the Claddagh before they went to Excuses (including Geno). all we saw at the claddagh was geno’s brother in a red “member’s only” jacket haha. it was awesome drinking in the same bar with these guys, and despite our female friends failing in getting them to our after-party, it was great final memory from the ’09-’10 season!
-Benson
http://www.benstonium.com
Hey Benson,
I’m guessing you mean this jacket…
Malkin should really take a minute and help his brother out some.
The jacket had RUSSIA on the back and looked like an olympic jacket? It was a tad cooler than a Members only jacket. Geno’s dad however wears the same striped shirt my 8th grade math teacher wore.
Benson – I saw you guys on TV – Love the videos – Keep ’em coming!!
haha where on TV?
Also, a huge fan of your work! Keep it up! I was actually sent one of your Your Tube videos from a ‘burger relocated Cleveland. Your Blysma “What if Chi-Chi’s didn’t get Hepatitis” is one of my favorites. I sent it to The South Side Qdoba manager who sent it to their GM who sent it to Corporate. I sent your Mike Lange one to Lange. It reminded me of Shultzie. 🙂 Keep on doin’ what you do. We really enjoy it!!
Thanks Alisa! That’s awesome that the Qdoba video made it up the corporate ladder. Are you from Excuses bar? If so I’d like to get in touch with yinz about some future projects. You can email benson@benstonium.com
If not for Penguin Pals Alisa and Mark H. I might have slept through the fun! If you have good pals like them, consider yourself lucky and smile the whole day through!
Do they sell Lange’s Gang t-shirts?
SALLY! Yes they sell the Mike Lange shirts! If you are in Pittsburgh just stop by Excuses on 26th and Carson St. If you are from out of town I can send one out to you. I did the design but Excuses has the shirts. Here’s a link to my webite if you want me to send you one just e-mail me.http://www.lucky9design.com
Sorry to tute the horn but I also did the EXCUSES bottlecap design as seen above. THat shirt is also for sale! http://www.lucky9design.com
We do sell those t-shirts at the Bar.
What songs did the Pens sing? That is 2 Cool!
Cool article. Cool pictures. Please quit all the lame, overused player nicknames.
Hey Mike! You must have never stepped on the ice b/c when you do, you join a brotherhood that includes being given a nickname that sticks forever and is usually dished out by one of your co-players! #25 Kevin Stevens took “Arty” as his on ice monicker because of his dad! It is an endearing thing to be given and then answer to your nickname! BTW, Lemieux’s moniker was “ACE”. Go figure!
That is soooo cool! What a great night you guys must have had. Here in Oregon, I never get to even dream of that happening. Great pics, and what a bunch of great guys. Thanks for posting them.
EXCUSES bar and grill happens to be exactly 20 feet from my front door. We have a group of guys and girls that love the Worlds Greatest sport and when we are not at the Igloo watching we are at EXCUSES watching. We are so picky that we even have a time machine that allows us to synch Hall of Fame announcer MIKE LANGE with whatever video feed comes in! You are welcome for the posts!