Same Old Penguins?

Way, way (waaaaay) back in the day, before Chuck Noll and Mean Joe Greene and Terry Bradshaw led the Steelers to Super Bowl glory, if you asked a local football fan about the team’s chances they’d have likely replied “S.O.S.”

Short for Same Old Steelers.

I confess, I didn’t see much of the Penguins’ 3-2 exhibition loss to a scaled-down Sabres squad last night at PPG Paints Arena. Only snippets and highlights. However, it was enough to make me wonder if we’re S.O.P.—as in Same Old Penguins.

I was especially alarmed by the lack of fire and intensity on display. Apparently so was coach Mike Sullivan, who took his charges to task following a somnambulant first period.

I mean, if ever there’s a time for guys to be going all-out to make an impression, it’s the preseason, right? Instead of being stoked, there was a whole lot of languid on display.

Does the training staff secretly slip these guys saltpeter mickeys so they won’t take penalties?

Seriously.

The poster child in my book for tepid play?

Defenseman Ryan Shea.

Along with his partner, Sebastien Aho, the former Northeastern Huskie was on the ice for all three Buffalo goals.

On the Sabres’ opening goal, Shea lost a puck battle along the back wall to defenseman Zach Metsa, not exactly a behemoth at 5’9” and 181 pounds. With the Sabres’ scoring play set in motion, Shea skated slowly to the right circle to check Graham Slaggert, who promptly deflected the puck home.

It was more of the same on the game-winner, a power-play goal 6:42 into the third period. Shea again lost a puck battle on the end boards and, again, was slow to cover his man, Tyler Tullio, in the left circle. Tullio’s shot caromed off Aho (who didn’t exactly bathe himself in glory, either) and onto the waiting stick of Anton Wahlberg, who fired it home.

For the record, Shea goes 6”2” 200 but plays much smaller. The very definition of Michel Therrien’s “soff.” Rather than play the man, as he had ample opportunity to do, he seemed content to probe with his stick.

In Shea’s defense, the Pens’ coaching staff has long stressed stick-on-puck defense. The better for our ‘d’ not to get entangled with opposing forwards so they can join the rush. In all likelihood, the Massachusetts native was doing just as he’s been instructed to do.

However, there comes a time when a defenseman simply has to put an opposing forward on his wallet.

With an increased emphasis around the league on aggression and net-front play, we simply can’t afford to keep guys who can’t, don’t or won’t get physical.

Blomqvist Bounces Back

My colleague, Other Rick, took me to task for suggesting goalie Joel Blomqvist had a leaky first outing on Saturday. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Blomqvist rebounded nicely last night, stopping all 11 shots he faced after entering the contest midway through.

Looks good on ya, Joel. Also credit Sullivan for putting the kid right back on the horse that threw him.

Personal favorite Jack St. Ivany scored our first goal and played a strong, physical game, in the process hopefully cementing his claim to the third right-d slot. Kevin Hayes notched the other black-and-gold tally off a pretty setup from Cody Glass.

Skating on a line with twin buzz-saws Noel Acciari and Blake Lizotte, Anthony Beauvillier unleashed nine shot attempts, seven of which found the net. The trio combined for seven hits.