Just in on the AP wire: Penguins legend and part owner Mario Lemieux, age 40, has been hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat and will be monitored overnight, according to GM Craig Patrick.
I was supposed to go see the Penguins take on Minnesota tomorrow night (Thurs.) - with a snowstorm in the forecast and Mario likely not on the ice, I think I'll be sticking around town instead...
It often seems all we hear about are athletes who have these super egos and me against the world attitudes. Nothing could be further from the truth in regards to Mario. He is a true class act and a huge asset to everyone. He single handedly saved hockey in the Burgh. All the while holding no hard feelings over the large sum of money he was owed. Not many men let alone star athletes would do the same. Get well soon Mario. You are the best.
The definition of art is : "Technical expertise adequate enough to create an emotional impact". L.R.H
The Pens indeed could have used Mario on Thursday night, they lost to Minnesota 5-0.
Yes, I went. Big thanks to Sparky D'Engineer, who just sold me on my next set of wheels when I'm in the market for a new ride. My next vehicle will be a Nissan Pathfinder, those damn things can go through anything, including the Allegheny Mountains in a snowstorm and up my hill in 7 inches of snow!!!
The Pens were absolutely pathetic. Considering the amount of talent they bought in order to be competitive this season, they looked LAME! They could not complete even the most basic advances towards Minnesota's goal; they couldn't pass the puck off to one another, nobody could get in front of the net to fire off shots on goal, and the defense blew some key plays that enabled Minnesota to take on Pens goaltender Jocelyn Thibault one on one. At least we got to see a few good fights, particularly the donnybrook between the Pens' Ryan VandenBussche and the Wild's Alex Henry; VandenBussche got the last shot in. The Pens radio announcers all but called this game the worst Penguins performance they had ever seen, and predicted that big changes were very likely to try to turn this thing around (coach Eddie Olczyk might want to obtain some boxes and luggage, he might be the initial fall guy and get sent packing).
Aside from the game itself, I had a blast! They were giving out free DVD's of Mario's comeback game after his 3 1/2-year retirement (a 5-0 win over Toronto on 12/27/00). The Blue Line Band was pretty good (they performed live tunes during game breaks and intermissions). The ride back in the snow was interesting, but Sparky's Nissan Pathfinder handled the mountains easily. I might be back for another game or two later this season; hopefully the weather - and the Pens - will be much improved.
Last edited by Jim Price on Friday Dec 09, 2005, edited 1 time in total.
Very cool Jim, I was watchin some of that game at Aldos tonight. Saw the score was 4-0 and I was like I hope Jim didn't go like he said he might not...I guess you did...at least you had some fun I guess...oh and thanks for the pics and good write up in the PA musician, much appreciated!