Red Wings-Penguins: Running Diary of Game Four

Before Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals I was wondering what I would watch on TV Monday night, considering the way Detroit had played games one and two, the possibility of game five was very remote.

But after Sid the Kid and Co. played the way we thought they would coming into the series, I am now reinvigorated, ready to cover every game of this series from now on like it's the most important thing on TV, and what better way to do so than a running diary?

IMPORTANT: I am not a Detroit or Pittsburgh fan, so I am only rooting for a great game and could care less who wins.

So, let's get it started.

4:55 pm PST - What a way to start. Gary Bettman is being interviewed and talking about how hockey is great shape, and franchises in Nashville, South Florida and Carolina are better options than having more teams in Canada.

You know Gary, not trying to spoil your fun here, but there's no one in these regions watching this game right now, none. Meanwhile, all of Canada is glued to the TV. And that's why you are the dumbest commish in sports.

5:13 pm PST - Already the second Sidney Crosby commercial I see. I'm setting the over under at 87 and I will take the over.

Crosby is to the NHL what Peyton Manning is to the NFL; the difference is that Manning FEELS like he's the only NFL player in commercials. Crosby IS the only NHL player in TV ads.

5:16 pm PST- Teams entering the ice...(sigh of relief)...Good, Fleury did not fall, that's gotta be good news for the Pens right? On a more "serious" note, how about Don Cherry's suit, tropical flowers? If there are two thing that don't mix it's hockey and flowery suits.

5:21 pm PST - 1-0 Pittsburgh. Boy, that was fast, I was still typing the previous entry.

5:32 pm PST-  1-1. All right! I think I chose the right game to keep a running diary, with this pace it'll be 5-4 by the first intermission. Fleury might as well not have been in net because he had no idea where that puck was.

5:40 pm PST - Is roughing the most judgemental call in all of sports? I could call roughing in every hockey play along the boards and I would dare anyone to prove me wrong. And NBA fans are whining. Please.

5:56 pm PST- Gotta love 4-on-4 hockey. There was more excitement in the last two minutes than in the five minutes before that.

6:25 pm PST - I know people say that Detroit is more experienced and all, but one thing I am sure of is they are is organized. The Wings play with much more organization, while Pittsburgh plays with much more reckless abandon.

FIRST INTERMISSION

6:30 pm PST - Great pace so far in the start of the second period, no team has taken the foot off the gas. Let's see if Pittsburgh can keep it up or if they will just tire like in games 1 and 2.

6:33 pm PST - The first 10 minutes of this second period have gone by in less than 15. That's how you know a game is fast paced.

6:40 pm PST - I love how a player goes face first into the boards and the play-by-play guy says, "Oh, he's OK". Sure, do it yourself and see if you are OK afterwards.

6:49 pm PST - Another power-play killed by Detroit. That's 0-for-3 since Pittsburgh scored their goal. I asked before if Pittsburgh could keep this pace going, and they are starting to show signs of tiredness.

SECOND INTERMISSION

7:11 pm PST - What's the point of having a white-out when your team is wearing all-black unis? Plus, the seats at Mellon Arena are red, so if it wasn't for the big Penguin in the center of the ice, any casual fan would thing the game is being played in Detroit. Memo to Mario Lemieux: better color coordination next game, OK big guy?

7:13 pm PST- 2-1 Detroit. Way to dog it Pittsburgh. I applaud you. If this is the effort you are going to give, we might as well just call the game and the series. Did I just write "next game" the last post? This way the Pens are playing there will be no other game at Mellon Arena.

7:26 pm PST - I am hoping Pittsburgh scores and I can watch some OT, but apparently that's hoping for too much.  The last time I saw Sidney Crosby do anything productive, he was pumping his fist in the Gatorade commercial.

7:29 pm PST- Pittsburgh will have a 5-on-3 for over a minute and a half. If they don't score I am guessing we'll see Michel Therien throw a hissy fit.

7:33 pm PST - No deal. Detroit killed a minute and a half of 5-on-3 and another thirty seconds of one man advantage. And you know what else? They made it look so easy, it was ridiculous.

7:37 pm PST - If I were a Pittsburgh fan and was looking for a scapegoat, it'd have to be Malkin, no hesitation. He has looked rattled all game and every chance he has he is able to mess it up.

7:40 pm PST - If you are a Detroit sports fan you have to thank god for the Red Wings, because if they depended on the Tigers and Pistons, life would be hard.

7:44 pm PST - Three minutes left. Where's the desperation? Do the Penguins realize they will be behind in the series 3-1 if they don't start playing better? Doesn't look like it.

7:48 pm PST - Good rush at the end of the game but that's it for Pittsburgh today; it was too little too late and I forgive Detroit fans if you think I'm jinxing you guys right now, but honestly, the Wings have this one wrapped up.

I said that Detroit would win in six, but after this game and considering the next game is at the Joe, buying game 6 tickets right now might be a bad idea. Just saying.