I can write this now without fear of jinxing our guys. Throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs and, especially, during the Finals, I’ve felt an odd sense of calm. As if our Penguins were somehow predestined or preordained to win the Cup.
A notion reinforced yesterday morning at church. Following the service, I stopped to greet associate pastor and fellow avid Pens fan, Ron Cepek.
“Seven years ago today,” Ron stated in his typically ebullient way, referring to our Cup triumph in ’09. “We win it tonight!”
I only hoped God had given my preacher friend the inside scoop.
Still, I must confess. When San Jose sniper Logan Couture beat Pens goalie Matt Murray through the five-hole at 6:27 of the second period in last night’s Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals to knot the score at 1-all and cap a furious offensive push by the Sharks, I began to doubt.
Like a boxer wilting under pressure from a relentless opponent, I sensed our Penguins fading. Along with our chances for a Cup.
Thank the Lord for Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang. The dynamic duo teamed up in dramatic fashion 79 seconds later to quell my anxieties and regain the lead for the black and gold. The same goes for Murray, the 22-year-old rookie who rose to the occasion like a mighty oak to smother 18 of 19 shots by the Sharks.
Not that there weren’t some tense moments. More than any other game, this one kept me riveted to the edge of my seat. Maybe it was the bevy of Grade-A scoring chances we couldn’t seem to finish. Capped by Chris Kunitz’ inexplicable decision to spurn a mouthwatering shot at a wide-open net in favor of a low-percentage pass to Evgeni Malkin.
Perhaps the only person more stunned than I to see the puck coming “Geno’s” way was No. 71 himself.
Fortunately, our boys persevered. Just as they’d done all season long. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention “Kuny’s” spectacular defensive play, when the peppery winger dove headlong to the ice to foil a first-period breakaway by Joel Ward.
Confession number two. Until our remarkable resurgence in March, I never thought the Pens would capture another Cup. At least not with this core. I truly believed the window had closed back on May 13, 2014, when the Rangers beat us 2-1 in Game 7 of the Metro Division Finals at Consol Energy Center to culminate an embarrassing collapse by the locals.
Talk about a team in turmoil. Dan Byslma and Ray Shero, good hockey men both…fired. Tapped as replacements…a ready-for-the-rocking-chair GM with a tarnished reputation (Jim Rutherford) and a first-time NHL head coach (Mike Johnston). Followed by the fiasco of 2014-15, when the Pens unraveled down the homestretch like a poorly knit sweater and barely made the playoffs.
The mass exodus of free agents that followed. The awful start to the season.
An implosion of nuclear proportions seemed imminent. Which I noted on several occasions.
So glad I was wrong.
I couldn’t be happier for everyone associated with the organization. From owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle to the training staff and locker-room attendants. They’ve taken so much heat over the past six seasons from an ultra-passionate, but frustrated, fan base for the team’s failure to repeat as Cup champions. Now they can rest easy.
The cool of the evening.
The victory must be especially sweet for Crosby, Malkin and Letang, who’ve endured the brunt of our criticism. They must feel like a one-ton weight’s been airlifted from their shoulders.
Still, I couldn’t help but feel badly for Marc-Andre Fleury, who no doubt longed to play a bigger role in the triumph. If not for “Flower’s” brilliance—particularly through the troubled early part of the season—we might not have made the playoffs. Or enjoyed the same matchups.
Everything has a trickle-down effect.
Speaking of trickle down, how about Rutherford? Virtually every move he made over the past 15 months—including last season’s much-maligned deadline deals—reaped dividends. Where would we be without Nick Bonino, Ian Cole, Matt Cullen, Trevor Daley, Eric Fehr, Carl Hagelin, Phil Kessel, Ben Lovejoy and Justin Schultz?
Ditto his first big acquisition, Patric Hornqvist, the wrecking-ball winger with the silk-purse hands who wired the puck into an empty San Jose net last night with a minute to play to secure a 3-1 victory…and the Cup.
To say nothing of JR’s inspired mid-season hire of Mike Sullivan. “Sully’s” passionate, straightforward approach and “Just Play” mantra galvanized a team desperately seeking an identity and gave it a reason to believe.
What a job he did.
Can’t forget the kids. Tom Kuhnhackl, Bryan Rust, and Conor Sheary brought so much to the table. Speed, grit, and enthusiasm, not to mention a remarkable maturity for ones so young. What more can you say about Murray? Fifteen wins to tie the rookie playoff record. Not to mention the undying respect of his teammates.
Guess I’ll end this loose-leaf ramble with a quote from the past. During the Pens’ first-ever Cup celebration back in ’91, then-forward and current radio color man Phil Bourque hoisted the Cup and bellowed, “What do you say we take this to the river and party all summer!”
Amen, Bourquie. Amen.
Thanks for another season of exceptional blogging. I’ve enjoyed it since the day I signed up. I have to say, I was pretty calm in the final series. I’m very superstitious, but in spite of that I was telling everyone that this was our year, and it was. So proud of this team and the resilience that they’ve shown. It would have been nice to see Flower get more playing time, but you’ve got to stay with what is working, and kudos to him for being such a good sport about it. Here’s to a great summer. Can’t wait until next season. As always, let’s go pens!! 🐧🐧🐧
Hi Heather.
Thank you for your kind words about the blog.
I had a feeling about us, too. Beginning in March, when the Pens went on a tear and won 14 of 15…mostly without Malkin…they started to look like a team of destiny. In fact, it felt so much like ’08-09 (slow start, coaching change, red-hot finish)…it was downright eerie at times.
Of course, you still have to play the games. When we went down 3-2 to Tampa Bay and lost Trevor Daley, it didn’t look good. But like all championship teams, the Pens found a way.
I couldn’t be happier for them. Especially Sid, Geno, Flower and Tanger, who’ve taken so much heat the past few years. Kessel, too. And Sullivan. And Rutherford. And Lovejoy.
Heck, all of them … 🙂
Way to go Pen’s, what a roller coaster season and a grand finish!!!
Thanks to all the other bloggers on this site and everyone who runs the page.
Should be a busy off-season.
I’ll check in now and then ,
LET’S GO PEN’S…… back to back baby!!!!
Hey Rick,
You summed it up pretty well.
Before I write anything else, I want to say thank you to all of the Pens from Mario and the owners to JR, Mike SUllivan and his Staff, and all the players for gving us one of the best, most exciting seasons of hockey to watch in at least a very long time.
Now, Having gotten the important message out there, you know I was just like you, not allowing my confidence in the Pens eventual win show to early to jynx the team. By mid-March I was already getting the feeling that there was something special with this team, for they were showing themselves to be a team. When they broke the Henryk mystic in the regular season, my confidence rose, and when King Henryk got chased from his first game, I was more than a little confident that they had a real shot at the cup. With their history of choking I was already fairly confident the Pens would beat them, even though I still think that the best team the Pens faced was Washington. They just have a mental block in the play-offs.
I have read many comments on other boards already debating who should have been the Conn Smythe winner. Some of them arguing rather vehemently as if the Conn Smythe were more improtant than the Cup itself. No one player really stood that far above the rest to make the choice easy. There were several players for who a strong argument could be made. Even though many people jumped off of the band wagon, Murray still deserved to be on that short list. He faced down the best offenses in the league and still posted one of the best save%. I think only Holby and Bishop had better save% of the goalies that played more than a couple games. Even Jones only tied Murray’s 0.923.
However, the right player did get the trophy. Although he didn’t put up the numbers he used to put up, he led by example, playing all facets of the game. I can’t help but wonder how many of those who were ready to bury Crosby at the beginning of the season still feel that way?
And how about old man Kunitz? What a game he had. Where did he get that burst of speed to break up that odd man break in the opening minutes of the game?
I have been biting my tongue back for quite a long time, but I don’t want to bore anyone to tears so I just will say two more things;
I was glad to see #9 out there and hope that the Pens petition to have Dupuis’ name on the Cup.
I was one of those people at the beginning of the season who thought the future was bleak for the Pens. Bylsma and MJ had both buried the Pens kids so far down in the minors that it was an easy thing to do to discount them. However, as good as this team was this year, and believe me I haven’t begun yet to celebrate and savor this victory yet, I can’t wait for opening day. With Wilson and Sprong adding into the mix, the Pens may not have peaked yet. Not to say they are a shoe in for the Cup next year. With an entire off season other teams to study what they did this year and prepare and replicate it, it will be a lot tougher but that should only mean even more exciting hockey!
Oh and thanks to you Rick and Phil and Jim and all the others here for some great hockey talk.
Hey Coach.
Great stuff . Enjoy the parade.
👍😀
Hey all,
I’m just kind of sitting back and letting it all sink in. But I wanted to say “hi” and share in the celebration … 🙂
Jim, Other Rick and Pen’s 4ever, it was a pleasure to share this special triumph with you. Same with less frequent commenters like 55 on Point, Sandi, and Michelle. Your readership, observations, insight and faithful support are greatly appreciated.
A special thanks to PenguinPoop founder, Phil Krundle, for his tireless support through a long and…at times…grinding season.
As much as I love the Pens and blogging on PP, I’m looking forward to taking a little break. Needless to say, I won’t be posting articles as frequently over the summer. But I’m sure I’ll be weighing in from time to time. Especially around the start of free agency or in the event of a trade.
In the meantime, feel free to post your comments or thoughts to an existing article.
I wish you all a blessed, healthy summer. I’ll look forward to chewing the hockey fat with you on a regular basis in the fall … 🙂
Rick….. Thank you for allowing myself this wonderful opportunity to experience a truly remarkable event with you and the rest of the gang during this past 10 month’s. Enjoy your time with your family and friends during this off season, and God willing we will all be here for the start of training camp in late August.
To the other bloggers, I hope that they continue to post from time to time during the off season on any new developments with the Team.Being from far away,I rely on your excellent local connections to keep me informed about off season developments for our beloved Team.
Were Number ONE !!! ….
Cheers
You’re welcome, Jim. It’s been a pleasure … 🙂
Hey Rick,
Today is a day for celebration. 29 losers and 1 winner. After seven long years we are back as # 1 in the NHL.Congratulations to all who made this possible.
In my opinion this win in 2016 seems to be the most special of all the 4 Cups that the Pen’s have won. Nobody ever thought we would even make the playoffs in early December and even at the start of the playoffs, pundits said we will not beat New York,Washington no way, Tampa Bay not a chance,San Jose will destroy the Pens in 6 games. That is all behind us now.
With the previous Cups the Pen’s were expected to win.This team wasn’t.
That is why 2016 is so special to me ! We are number ONE !
So let us all enjoy the brief moments we have realizing that on June 24 th, the NHL Hockey Draft starts and to many that is the start of the 2017 Season.
JIm
Amen Jim,
There were 29 teams in the NHL, some of them pretty darn good, but it is our Pens that hoisted the Cup!!!!!!