A quick mish-mash of items relating to our Penguins.
First and foremost, no official word or update on Sidney Crosby’s injury. His right knee appeared to bend awkwardly following a hit from Radko Gudas during the second period of Canada’s quarterfinal victory over Czechia, forcing him to leave the game.
According to reports, Crosby received an MRI following the game. Canada coach Jon Cooper seemed to indicate Sid is day-to-day, which if true would be most wonderful news, indeed.
However, until a more official announcement is made concerning Super Sid’s condition, I’m holding my breath.
Typical of our captain, while he wasn’t able to return to the ice, Sid stayed with the team and delivered an inspirational speech during the second intermission.
Down on the Farm
Maybe my subtitle should be, “How ‘Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm,” in honor of a certain peppery Wilkes-Barre/Scranton forward.
The Baby Pens shelled the Springfield Thunderbirds, 7-2, last night to snap a two-game losing streak. Can you guess who scored a hat trick?
If you answered Avery Hayes, you’d be correct.
Beginning with his electrifying, two-goal NHL debut against Buffalo on February 5, Hayes has been positively on fire, notching two hat tricks and seven points for the Baby Pens in his last four AHL games.
Over his past 10 AHL contests dating back to January 21, Avery has piled up 10 goals and 13 points!
I’d say the kid’s making a strong case for regular NHL duty, wouldn’t you?
Other lamp-lighters for the Baby Pens included Ville Koivunen and scrappy rookie pro Tanner Howe, who notched two goals apiece. Rutger McGroarty chipped in with two helpers.
Between the pipes, Sergei Murashov turned aside 30 of 32 shots to earn the ‘w.’
Filip Hållander, fully recovered from the blood clot that shelved him since early November, played the first of a five-game conditioning assignment. I liked what I saw of the 25-year-old Swede during his 13-game run with the Pens earlier in the season.
Kris Letang likewise appears ready to come off IR. He participated in the Pens’ practice yesterday.
Olympian Results
Heavyweights Canada and the United States each survived a quarterfinals scare yesterday to advance to the semifinal round. Mitch Marner scored in overtime to lead Canada past a determined and physical Czechia squad, 4-3. Quinn Hughes did likewise for Team USA to vanquish stubborn Sweden, 2-1.
The United States will face Slovakia on Friday night while Canada battles Finland.
Oh, Pierre Crinon, the hulking French defenseman who ragdolled Tom Wilson during their Olympics tilt, is now facing legal action for an earlier incident when he slugged a goalie.
Maybe the Pens should sign him.
I’m kidding…sort of.