The Broad Street Bullies were a long time ago. I was a kid of just 10 when they won their first cup and they were my sports idols of the day. I have met many of those players many times over the years and played against them in a couple of charity games. They were a team that fit the city at the time, bunch of lunch pale totting blue collar beer drinking brawlers and they are legends here.

Clarke's home was just a mile or so away from the house where I grew up in over in NJ. The builder who built his place also built my family's home. He took me over there to see the Flyers sign shaped pool when I was a kid, that was a big deal. We had season tickets from 1968 until 2003.

Clarke's daughter married a guy named Peter White who played a long time in the Flyers Minor league system and parts of seasons with the Flyers. His son, Clarke's grandson plays for the Little Flyers 1999 tier 1 AAA club I coach. We just selected him in April and I expect to see Clarke at some games tis coming season.

About the game last night. Wasn't it enjoyable to watch some great skating and hitting? If the Wing played from behind more often, they might not win as many games, but the would win over a lot more fans. They seem to be exploiting the rules to there advantage, which they deserve all the credit. Things change with their game when they fall behind. Reminds me of the NJ Devils in their heyday which made the game so boring, fans just turned away. Grab a goal lead then clutch and grab until the clock winds down. Not saying this is what the Red Wings do. They play keep away with the puck. Still isn't very exciting unless your a RW fan.

I think its easy on the surface to compare the Wings play to that of the Devils. I dislike the devils, greatly, even more so back then. While the wings play keep away, I don't think it is with clutching and grabbing, it is more with skill and position hockey. If you look at the Wings D, and then their break out, they have it down to a science.

Now with that being said, just like in the Dallas series, if the Pens can sustain pressure in their zone, the Wings players get out of position, and thats when the Pen's need to capitalize.

I agree there were a couple of key mistakes that were uncharacteristic of the Wings last night, like the unforced turnover that Crosby scored on. With that being said, the game was tied if Holmstrom's rebound shot doesn't doink off the post in the third, and the whole face of the game changes.

I think one of the main differences is that the Wings are getting points from theird 2nd - 4th lines as well, the Pens are going to need to do that, as I think Detroit is going to make some changes to cover Crosby's line..

That stretch that went about 7 minutes without a whistle in the third was great hockey though.

Bill

I totally agree. I loath the Devils of old, that was just boring hockey and frustrating to watch. On the other hand you have to give the Devils credit for what they accomplished.

I also don’t think the Wings play that kind of game even when they have a lead. They play such good positional hockey and their puck movement is so fantastic when they’re on its really a thing of beauty. Of course if you’re playing a team like that its very frustrating.

I am sort of glad the Pens won, I didn’t want to see a sweep and now we have a series again.

The differrence now is that the game is slowed by positional play only, not by hooking and holding through the neutral zone. It's not great now, but it sure is better than five years ago.

The down side for the Penguino's is that they played their best, Detroit looked disinterested, and yet they still had to hang on to win. A lucky bounce near the end and that game goes to O.T.

2 very good, tight games the last 2...could have gone either way. I like how the refs swallowed their whistles and let long extended play go on in a couple of cases....makes it more exciting. They missed a couple of calls though, but the Pens have gotten more PP minutes. The Pens have a lot of talent and are impressive.

Who will win the Conn Smythe? I like Zetterberg...Osgood...Lidstrom in that order.

Not even close to it.
Last night even worse.

"This is one of the toughest teams I've ever faced," Hossa said. "It seems like they are everywhere."

Yes I read that in the Pittsburgh paper this morning. And they do seem to have 7 guys on the ice to their credit. I just wish the Pens were playing to their skill level. But part of that goes to Detriot's play.
I can't even stand on skates but think I could do as good as Malkin. To say he is struggling is an understatement.
I lived in Grand Rapids for a few years, before the Wings 'got good' and followed them. If the Pens are going to lose the series I can't think of a better team to lose to.
We'll see how they play tomorrow evening. There really isn't any pressure on them to win. GO PENS!!!

quote from Steven Tyler when he saw the Stanley Cup in person for the first time: "Thats the only thing that has seen more parties than we have"

:)

Malkin - M.I.A.

Just the opposite of Hossa and Crosby. They step up, he goes on vacation. Reminds of a certain former Ottawa/Islander player.

I thought Saturday's game wa sa great game to watch, anyone could have won. Looking forward to tonights game

Agreed. The outcome was in doubt right up to the end.

The NHL has to be happy with the playoffs. Referee's have been good, no controversy, some wide open hockey, no gooning it up, and two good hockey markets.

The fan goes wild :D

I hope the Detroit fans do enjoy it.

To be honest I'm sick of it, with satellite and our long winters I probably watch over 100 games per year, maybe 150.

Bring on the warmer weather. Hockey should end in May.

Or sooner if your a Leafs fan!:D

It ended in December. Thankfully. If the Leafs were a horse they would have been shot long ago.

Isn't that why Canadians do it doggie style, so you both can watch the hockey game? Man you are gettin' more than most ;) :D

Uh, no. Wrong Province. Ask Zef about that, it's only French Canadians.

I agree, Saturday's game was great. The 5 on 3 was awesome, and really showed Zetterbergs ability to play on both ends of the ice. Crosby ties that game if number 40 isn't there with his stick.

I am tired of some fo the whining, but overall it has been a good series.

I'm hoping to see Detroit hoist it tonight from my hotel room in GA. Thankfully its on NBC, or I'd "have" to find a bar to watch it in, smile.

On a side note, I didn't bring my Konstantinov jersey with me, for fear of the airline losing my luggage...

Bill