Goalies, Goalies Everywhere.

This weekend, I posted a nice little piece at the HLOG (Hockey’s Ladies of Greatness) titled, Dear Hockey East; Thanks for the goalies. Love, The NHL. It covers the NHL callups of Maine’s Ben Bishop, Boston College’s Cory Schneider and Everyone’s Favorite Goalie, Boston University’s John Curry.  In it, I actually give Schneider props (please don’t take away my Terrier Fan card!)

There are times where I write a piece and think, “Hmmm, maybe I should have kept with that Sports Information and Communication major I had early on in college.”  This HLOG piece is one of those times.  I hope you all enjoy it.

The Everyone’s Favorite Goalie Watch: Thanks, That Was Fun.

The Penguin asks, "Where is Everyone's Favorite Goalie? He won us games!" (by Flickr user Alicia Rae)

All of us Everyone’s Favorite Goalie fans knew that this day would come.  Pittsburgh Penguins star goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury would eventually recover from his “lower body” injury, and want his job back.  And because of this, John Curry would get sent back down to Michael Scott’s favorite hockey team, the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins.

Curry didn’t leave without earning his second NHL win, stopping 24 of 26 shots in a 9-2 Penguins win against the Islanders.  Pittsburgh-ians like him.  For example, according to my Twitter friend @erinkpgh, a “Spicy Curry” sign seen in the crowd at the Mellon Arena. Several game accounts mentioned a few really spectacular saves that he made, and while he got lost in the shuffle after two of his teammates scored hat tricks, many in the Penguins blogosphere have expressed their hope to see him back permanently next year, after Sabourin leaves in free agency.

Pittsburgh, all BU fans would like to thank you for taking such good care of our beloved Curry.  We are happy knowing he is in good hands, that he’s appreciated, and that you’ve caught on to making amusing signs using his last name.

And BU fans, here’s a fun fact to taunt your favorite Boston College Eagles fan with: Curry leaves the NHL with more wins than Cory Schneider.  Take that.

The Everyone’s Favorite Goalie Watch: Groundhog Day

According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Empty Netters blog, John Curry will get the start for the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight against the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum. Isn’t this a case of deja vu? Curry’s first NHL start and win happened on November 24th against the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum.

It is hard to gather from the blogosphere if this start is more because of the two games in two nights schedule, or more because Dany Sabourin has been in net for three straight losses. While many (like The Pensblog and others) mention that while Sabourin hasn’t been awful, he hasn’t been awesome, and that him sitting a game might not be the worst idea.  The general sense I’ve gotten from all that I’ve read is that the Penguins defense hasn’t been making plays when they need to, and that has been what has hurt them most, not necessarily goaltending.

Now, off to find a bar with NHL Center Ice that won’t break my holiday budget…

Tonight, I Venture Into Dangerous Territory: Conte Forum

I am a glutton for punishment. Last year, the partner-in-crime and I thought it would be a great idea to venture out to UMass Amherst to see the Boston University men’s hockey team face off against the Minutemen.  We wore our BU jerseys and all, and I was nearly jumped on my way to the ladies room.

Well, this year, the partner-in-crime and I have decided to join a few colleagues of mine at tonight’s BU – BC matchup at Conte Forum, one of the few Hockey East arenas that I haven’t been to at this point.  Heaven help us.

The Sports Funk

I am in the midst of a heavy duty, foggy, cloudy, “I don’t know why I even pay attention to sports” sports funk.  In the span of 48 hours this weekend, the following things happened:

-Everyone’s Favorite Goalie (aka John Curry) lost his first NHL start for the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres. Despite the Pittsburgh announcers practically blowing out their microphones with the calls of his crazy contortionist saves in the third period, the Penguins defense neglected to play, and he was defenseless against four goals.  I was able to view the FSN Pittsburgh coverage online, and on the bright side, the announcers and commentators did seem quite fond of Curry, and very pleased with his performance.   It just would have been nicer if Sidney Crosby’s hat trick from Saturday had occurred one day earlier to help Curry out.