Casual Fridays

No rain.......no rainbows

2009-07-09T11:08:00.000-07:00

I know it has been sometime since I’ve last done some blogging, and for that I apologize. So let’s catch up with the news since the last post.

The world has lost some iconic people the last few weeks. Since the last post we have lost the “king of pop”, a Charlie’s Angel, a pitchman, and a Titan. Rest in Peace All.

Two WBS Pioneers have been arrested for a brawl last night at a local club. Apparently punch some chick in the head helps you win arena football games.

The Pirates visit the city of brotherly love Friday for a weekend set with the Phillies. I think the Phils should put the World Series Trophy on the line so we could have all three major championships, oh wait I forgot the Pirates play for Pittsburgh….Nevermind.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Seattle Seahawks coach Jim Mora recently climbed Mount Rainer in Washington State. I don’t know I think that is pretty impressive.

LeBron James got dunked on the other day at his skills camp by Xavier’s Jordan Crawford and Nike confiscated the tapes. I guess the king has been dethroned.

Last Friday I got to experience Kennywood Amusement Park, a legendary park located in western Pa right outside of Pittsburgh. I must say it is a must see place if you have a chance.

And finally……The Video(s) of the Day.

Championships and Shark Pools

2009-06-18T12:04:00.000-07:00

It was been a few days since my last post and a lot has happened in the world so here we go….

Unless you live under a rock or you don’t care, the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Cup of Stanley Friday night over the Detroit Red Wings in an amazing game 7. What makes this victory even sweeter is the Pens got to raise the cup in Detroit’s home ice. Below is a video recapping the entire night, enjoy!

It has been known that I may or may not have a dude crush on Coach Dan Bylsma. Let me just take this time to say congrats to Disco and the rest of the coaching staff, you did an amazing job bringing this team from out of playoff contention to having your name engraved on Lord Stanley.

This past Sunday through Tuesday was a historic one; the original four were once again reunited and that means there will be stories. Sunday night started off eventful and I personal thought that would last, I was wrong. After a few IC Lights and some games of cornhole someone got the great idea to drink some homemade wine and do shots of goose. Next thing I know it is 2 am and we are watching season 5 of Entourage.

The next morning sucked; now I hate hangovers like everyone else, but that one just sucked. After we all woke we started to piece together the events from the previous night. My main concern was my lower back felt like I fell 5 feet straight on my back, which is because Corey C. decided it would be a great idea to spear me off the top railing of a deck. After regrouping we decided that floating down the river would be our main objective of the day.

The plan was mapped out, James and I would get the floating fuel and a new floating device while the Corey’s would pick up Doc for a brief lunch at Ruby’s. After some mini burgers and salads were dominated it was on, next stop the river. Now before I go any further I must explain what type of floating device we chose to purchase. We said we would purchase a mini pool because they provide the best floatability, long story short we settled on a pool that looked like an aggressive shark. This was a great choice incase we run into any unruly fellow floaters.

So our adventure began, floating down the mighty Susquehanna only moments on the river we notices some floating particles, after a brief but yet informative discussion we decided it was bass flu. The rest of the trip included a lot of IC Light, jokes about ones sister, and trying to bail the water out of the shark pool. After a 2 ½ hour trip we figured we would make a stop and return some of the floatation devices we used, while doing so we destroyed a watermelon and pillaged some headbands.

We returned back to our place of rest where we had some chicken and continued with more IC, cornhole, and added some golf and cigars. This took place until we decided to go watch more entourage at 4 in the morning. At last we saw the sun come up around 5:45am just as we were turning in the night or day. After getting 3 hours of sleep I decided that at that point in my life I have had enough IC Light and listened to enough Dave Matthews Bands to last me for a few months. So what can I do at 9:00 while everyone else is enjoying their beauty sleep? The only thing any right man would do in my place, watch Major League. After laughing loud enough because I was too tired to sleep and because I was bored watching it alone so they would wake up, they didn’t. Finally everyone wakes up around noon, so we finally finish season 5 of Entourage and grab some cereal at 2 in the afternoon. After that it was time for us to say our goodbyes and move on back to the real world. Good times!

SITE OF THE DAY:
http://www.nevertellmetheodds.org/t.php?id=90028&r=170

End of an era

2009-06-11T07:18:00.000-07:00

Today is a sad day in the WBS Penguins office as our Vice President of Business and Marketing, Katie Connors will be enjoying her last day as a member of our staff. Katie has recently accepted a position with the State College Spikes, who are the Pittsburgh Pirates single-A short season affiliate. Katie has been with the Pens almost since the beginning, all of her hard work over the years has helped this organization grow into what it is today. Katie will be greatly missed, but I will speak for everyone when I say she will do a tremendous job in State College. So good luck Katie, we will all miss you!

There is only one more day till the epic match up between Pittsburgh and Detroit. Of course I’m talking about the Pirates and Tigers. After taking a win lat night over Atlanta, they match up for a mid day matinee before they return home to take on Tigers.

No one told me that the Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup already. Thanks everyone.

Last night at Sno Mountain or Montage Mountain, whatever they call it these days, the old school boy band New Kids on the Block took fans hostage with their vocals and dance moves. The only reason I would ever bring this up is because one of our own was in attendance. Chris Sipsky should get a purple heart for taking his girlfriend to see the show, tip of the cap to you sir.

Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes got his charges for marijuana possession drop yesterday by the district attorney's office. Good thing or he would have had to pay a whopping $300 fine.

VIDEO OF THE DAY:
Last night while ironing clothes I took a brief break and jumped on YouTube to watch Penguins clips and I came across this show this guy from Pittsburgh makes after each game. It’s called Yinz Luv Da’ Guins, it is short but funny nonetheless.

I feel like a proud father at little league

2009-06-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

Survival of the fittest, that is what the Penguins did last night with a do or die 2-1 win in game 6 over Detroit last night. When they needed to win they did, when they need a clutch stop they got it, when they needed unsung heroes to step up it happened. The only thing now is what Pittsburgh and Detroit teams will show up for game 7? Momentum doesn’t matter now, how many goals they scored in games 1-6 don’t matter now, the only thing that matters now is Friday night and how each team wants to be remembered. PENS IN 7!

The 6 times, yes 6 time Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers just released the design for their rings. Boy they are shinny.

Pirates lost another 1 run games to the Braves. For those keeping score at home that’s 3 straight losses. Good things the Pens won. Pirates relinquish lead late, take loss (Pirates.com)

In other Pirates news, with the 4th pick the Pittsburgh Pirates select catcher from Boston College Tony Sanchez...no relation to Freddy. Pirates reach to draft Boston College catcher

Survey names Wendy's the top fast-food chain by Zagat for second year in a row. They are doing Dave Thomas proud. Wendy’s Top Fast food Chain (AP News)Nick Montana commits to Washington to play for the Huskies. This wouldn’t really matter but his Father Joe played in he NFL and wasn’t that bad. Joe Montana's son Nick Montana commits to Washington (ESPN)

Former 25 year old minor-league picture and local football star. David Shinskie commits to Boston College (ESPN)

Video of the Day: Bear falls from tree in New Mexico

A whole lot of stuff going on!

2009-06-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

Do or Die for the Pens tonight. Some people may think that is a bit harsh, but that the truth about game 6 tonight. Yea they got beat down 5-0 in at 5 at Detroit, but that was at Detroit, now they are back home. Their backs are up against the way, but that makes them dangerous, they have no reason to hold anything back tonight, and I expect they will. PENS IN 7!

Here is a great video that is a surefire way to get pumped for tonight’s game. Not like you should need to get pumped up, but it is an awesome video.

Pirates lost a marathon to the Braves in 15 innings last night. If they are going to lose just do it in the regular 9-inning fashion instead of keeping us hanging on.

It has been sometime since the last post, I believe it has been since the sweep of the Hurricanes, wow that was awhile ago. It has been a busy few weeks but there will be more post and fresh stuff coming up.

Speaking of baseball, the Major League Draft is today. This draft is the most interesting out of all of the professional sports drafts. The only thing they dont have if coverasge 3 months before it happens and Mel Kiper Jr.

I made a big purchased last night, I purchased a new swimsuit. It’s that time of the year when the weather is hot and you need to cool off, so it just seemed like the right thing to do.

Last Thursday when many hard working people were trying to kick start the economy, some co-workers and I took a bus to watch the Pens in the exciting game 4 win. I bring this up now only because I finally uploaded some pictures from the trip.

Just Another Day At The Office

2009-05-27T10:11:00.000-07:00

The Pens swept the Canes off the ice and out of the playoffs and on to the golf course with a 4-1 win in game 5. The Pens brought home the Eastern Conference crown as well as the Prince of Wales trophy which they preceded to put their finger prints all over. Next up: Hopefully a date with Hossa and the Red Wings.

With the clinching win last night Coach Disco Dan Bylsma made hockey history by becoming the first person ever to start a season as an American Hockey League head coach and then guide a National Hockey League team to the Stanley Cup Finals in the same season. Congrats Dan, I saw this coming!

The Bucs lost a rained shortened contest to Central Division foe Chicago Cubs by a score of 6-1 in 6 innings. Lets just say thanks to mother nature that she didn’t let this one continue, it could have got ugly.

These men are installing and setting solid steel pillars in concrete to stop vehicles from parking on the pavement outside a bar. They are cleaning up at the end of the day.
How long do you think it will be before they realize where their vehicle is parked?

The Division II Softball National Champs made it home late Monday night and were honored with some sort of tinker day parade in the street of downtown Lock Haven on Tuesday afternoon.

Game 5 and National Championships

2009-05-26T11:31:00.000-07:00

The Lock Haven University Softball Team closed another amazing season by being crowed the NCAA Division II National Champions with an 8-0 win over Alabama-Huntsville.

More details and pictures of the trip will be coming soon, stay tuned. Let’s just say there was a lot of body paint, pre-game superstitions, and a phonebook.

The Pens have a chance tonight to sweep the Canes and move to the finals for Lord Stanley’s Cup…….Make it happen.

Back to work after a long four day mini vacation in beautiful Salem VA. To my dismay Salem VA is not the place of the Salem Witch Trials; I still have a hard time believing this.

Taking the first step

2009-05-19T06:25:00.000-07:00

The Penguins opened the Eastern Conference Finals with a 3-2 win. That was huge, game 2 set for Thursday night.

While watching the Pens game last night I have decided that Carolina Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice is the poor mans Dan Bylsma.

Also during the Pens game I missed the first 2 goals of the game because services electric sucked. Instead of seeing goals from Satan and Malkin this is what I saw.

Pirates seem to be rearing the ship in the right direction with a 12-7 win over the Nationals; this is like the World Series of last place teams.

There is a reason red heads are dying off

2009-05-13T06:27:00.000-07:00

Losing a playoff series that ends your season sucks. Sitting at the game watching your team lose game 7 against your rival in their arena while getting shutout is shitty. With that said, it looks like the WBS Pens will have to wait until next year to bring home the Calder Cup. WBS Pens lose game seven 3-0. WBS runs dry against Hershey (Times Leader)

Moving along to a team that won, the Pirates decided to try this new thing they call winning. Zach Duke also decided to show up tonight, thank you. Bucs beat Cards 7-1

Pirates snap 8-game skid (Pitt Trib)

I took this picture while at the Pirates game back on May 2nd, right after the photo was taken the camera broke.

This and That

2009-05-12T09:54:00.001-07:00

A few of us in the office will be making the rip down I-81 south to the “sweetest place on earth” as the WBS Pens take on Hershey in a pivotal game 7 match-up. Here is a nice preview from both sides. WBS Preview (Citizens Voice) Hershey Preview (Pennlive.com)

The Pirates opens a series with the Cardinals today in Pittsburgh. The only thing I can say is it can’t much worse than this. At this point ill just take a win. Scouting the Cards (Pitt Trib)
Yesterday we got to leave early from work, so I decided on getting some things done. Laundry, groceries, washes the car; get my hair cut, etc, etc. So while my clothes are in the dryer at the luxurious Pierce Street Coin Laundry I decide to go to the local Holiday Hair and get a quick trim, I went in with a fade and left with a buzz cut. So now it begins, growing my hair back, update in a month to a month and a half.

Fellow co-worker and redhead started a blog recently. Check it out! HH Poop Dollar

STAT OF THE DAY-Courtesy of Brian C.
“ Teams that win game 7 in the playoffs advance 100% of the time”

Game Se7en

2009-05-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Your life on the line. This is how some people describe game 7’s. Well for a team game 7’s are a chance to see who really wants it and who wants to go home. I know in professional sports there is that line where there is the “major team” and the “minor team”, but when a organization has both its top two teams in a conference semi-final series with the same opponents in game 7 of a series, let’s just say this is more than just ironic Alanis Morissette.

Pitt Pens in game 7 versus the Caps in Washington, WBS Pens in game 7 versus the Bears in Hershey. Both Pens teams could have clinched in game 6. Both teams lost Game 1 & 2 on the road then won 3 straight games.

Pittsburgh
3-2 L
4-3 L
3-2 W OT
5-3 W
4-3W OT
5-4 L OT

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
5-3 L
3-1 L
3-2 W OT
6-3 W
4-1 W
3-0 L

Tonight is the night for WBS; will they overcome a hostel crowd and a veteran Hershey team? Or will the team that stung up 3 straight wins finally close out the Interstate 81 south rival. These are questions only they can answer. As for Pitt they can travel to the capital, watch the film and learn from their mistakes and misfortunes. All I have to say is the team on top of the mountain didn’t land there.

Enough said..........GO PENS!

A long and over due post, sorry!

2009-05-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

The Pittsburgh Penguins looks to even the series tonight starting at 7pm at the Igloo. Something tells me that Disco Dan will have a trick up his sleeves. Confidence still high despite being down 2-1 (Post Gazette)

The battle of Interstate 81 continues tonight when the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins looks to even series against Hershey tonight. Is it me or is this series very similar to the Pittsburgh series? Wilkes/Barre-Scranton vs. Hershey Preview (Times Leader)

Bissonnette Update:

Well he is alive, but very doubtful to return this post-season.
Bizz Nasty Recovering From Injury (WBS Penguins)

Manny busted for using fertility drug, really fertility drugs? Manny being Mrs. Manny (ESPN)

The Pirates are being the Pirates again; with a 5-2 loss to the Cards the Bucs have lost 9 out of the last 10 games. Next up the Bucs take on the Mets, that should be fun. Bucs' offense stays stagnant (Trib)

Former Red Sox and brother of Jumping Joe, Dom DiMaggio passed away at the age of 92 this morning at his home in Massachusetts. Dom DiMaggio, former Red Sox Superstar died this morning (Fried Post)

Apparently a 17 year old kid from Chambersburg, PA has some personal vendetta against Alexander Ovechkin, or he reallybadly wants the Pens to win. Guilford Township teen posts death threat against NHL star (Chambersburg Public)

"Disco" does his dance

2009-04-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

It was announced today that “interim” head coach “Disco” Dan Bylsma has landed himself a fulltime gig in Pittsburgh. Coach Bylsma had served as interim head coach since Feb. 15 after being the first year head coach of the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Bylsma and the Penguins agreed on a multi-year deal, the details of this contract haven’t been released yet. Word on the streets are that it will be a life-time contract, which means Coach Bylsma will be in Pittsburgh until the team fold or he dies.

Congratulations to Coach Bylsma, so I guess this means you won’t be back in Wilkes-Barre to help us win the Calder Cup next year, Thanks!

Its official, Dan Bylsma no longer "interim"-(Pittsburgh Penguins.com)

Back on base

2009-04-28T07:31:00.001-07:00

A announcement was made by Lock Haven University President Dr. Keith Miller to re-instate the LHU Baseball program. After countless meetings with administrators, players, coaches, parents, and students the university has decided to switch the decision it made earlier this month.

This is great news for the program, but also the university. No one ever wants to see a program shutdown due to economic reasons. Below is the official statement by LHU's President.

Statement from Lock Haven University President Keith T. Miller:
Based on the considerations of the student government, and in communication with the director of athletics, I have determined to continue baseball at Lock Haven University through the 2009-10 season. During this period, I hope that a way can be found to fund baseball in this extremely difficult economic environment. Details to continue the baseball program are being worked out. The support and interest of parents, alumni and the community are very much appreciated. I thank the LHU students for their outpouring of support for their classmates and the university.

Whiteouts and Tatter-tots

2009-04-24T08:57:00.000-07:00

Tonight the boys are back in town tonight to do something the “Big Pens” couldn’t do last night, win a series on home ice. Much like the Mellon Arena last night, tonight the Wachovia Arena will be in a full force “White-Out”. With a 3-1 series lead over Bridgeport, the WBS Penguins have a chance to move to the next round versus hated Hershey and more importantly get some well deserved rest, but that can’t be done until the job is done tonight.

In other WBS Penguins news, Season Ticket Account Executive Josh "The Mangler" McCorkle competed in a tatter-tot eat contest at a local establishment last night. The Mangler finished in the top 5, but his gullet could only take so much. Nonetheless he still did us all proud, so heres to you Mangler, our in office hero.

Whiteout Washout

2009-04-24T07:27:00.000-07:00

The Penguins got smoked at home last night by the Flyers 3-0, thats all I have to say about that.

Pens lose 3-0, series 3-2 going back to Philly (Pittsburgh Trib)

Ungrateful Speads

2009-04-23T11:23:00.000-07:00

Today we have a guest on CF, his name is Bill. Last night Bill attended a Grateful Dead concert at the Wachovia Arena, below are his thoughts of the events from yesterday....Enjoy!

Well, yesterday, The Dead (they are no longer Grateful since their hefty bearded leader went to that great big opium den in the sky) descended on our little town bringing with it the pot smoking, grilled cheese slinging, petroli smelling followers. An interesting bunch to say the lease, they sold their food, beverages (both regular and adult), various mood rings, artwork, marijuana smoking devices, blankets, robes (wtf!), etc. They danced in circles and did a boat load of drugs. The parking lot reeked of pot and one kind gentleman offered me acid or mushroom for my extra ticket. Now I personally had no problems with hippies until last night. What I saw was a bunch of young kids who had no interest in the actual music just the drugs in the parking lot and a bunch of old “heads” who have not grown up and do nothing but follow this band and take copious amounts of drugs. Also, someone should tell these morons that bringing kid to an environment like this, where everyone is drinking or drugging, is not good for the kid. I’m sure that they would come up with some lame hippie excuse like they are expanding their child’s mind or whatever but your kid does not want to hear a band at the same sound level of a jet taking off, retards! My kid gets pissed when my car stereo is too loud. They are kids they belong at home playing with their toys and watching ALF or something, not at a goddamn Dead show watching retarded hippies dope up and talk like they have they solutions to all the worlds problems meanwhile all they do have is greasy hair and impetigo due to the fact they have not showered in a month.

Now that I got that off my chest, the Dead sounded good I thought, I’m not the biggest fan, but the songs I did know sounded great. Overall I had a good time, that was mostly due to the people I went with but still a good time is a good time. The concert would have been great if it weren’t for the retarded hippies.

**********BAD LANGUAGE WARNING**********

I kept this thing pretty clean up until now but I just have to say to the fucking scummy fuck of a bitch that let her child play in the middle of traffic while wearing a piss soaked diaper, I hope you die soon, and I mean that with all of my being, Maybe by you dying a horrible and hopefully painful death your child will have somewhat of a normal life. So I hope you scored your fucking doses yesterday and I hope they were laced with anthrax c*nt (I cleaned that one up for the ladies) I never wanted to punch a girl in the face more than I did when I saw you. Fuck off and die bitch, the world would be a better place.

…and that’s why I hate hippies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bucs sneak by Marlins

2009-04-22T07:10:00.000-07:00

The Penguins aren’t the only team to be gaining attention in April. Now I know it’s early but I love this new thing the Pirates are doing, I believe they call it winning. With a 3-2 over the Marlins last night that moves the Bucs into third place in the division with an 8-6 record. Like I said it is early and with the loss of Jack Parkman’s son Ryan Doumit for 8-10 weeks I might be jumping the gun, but it is fun seeing the boys with a winning record and getting help from everyone in the lineup.

Next up is an afternoon matinee with the Marlins as the Bucs look to get the sweep. On the hill will be Paul Maholm who is carrying a 0.87 ERA and a 2-0 record. With a strong defense backing him up and some suspect run support Maholm should have another good start to add to a already solid 2009 campaign.

Orange Chrushed

2009-04-22T06:47:00.000-07:00

HUGE WIN! The Pittsburgh Penguins got a huge win last night in Philadelphia to take a 3-1 series lead back to Burgh for a game 4 showdown on Thursday night. After a scoreless first period the Pens drew first blood in the second period with a goal from “The Sid” which was reviewed and was decided a good goal and took the hostel cheese steak eating crowd out of it. Later in the second period the Tyler Kennedy scored is second goal of the playoffs as the Pens took a 2-0 lead going into the 3rd period.

In the third period the Flyers decided to start playing as they were peppering M.A.F. but like a brick way he did his job. Daniel Carcillo picked up the lone Flyers goal in the third period to make it 2-1 Pens. With time running out for the Flyers they decided to pull the goalie to gain the man advantage, but a miss played puck in the neutral zone gave Max Talbot the easy empty-netter goal to seal the 3-1 victory for the Pens.

In conclusion this was a big win for the Pens as they can go back to the friendly confines if the Mellon Arena and finally finish off those fruits from Philly. Huge props to M.A.F. to step it up in this critical game with 46 great saves with most of them he didn’t even see coming. Lets keep it rolling in to Thursday night at home. Go Pens!

Yuck!

2009-04-20T12:13:00.001-07:00

Yesterday saw not one, but two professional hockey teams that are named after a flightless bird and garnish black and gold colors fall to a division foe.

First it was the Pittsburgh Penguins who traveled east to take on the Flyers and there fans with stupid orange shirts. Looking to take a 3-0 series lead the Pens were down and they clawed their back, then they were down again but this time their claws weren’t sharp enough as they watched the Flyers cruise to a 6-3 victory to make the series 2-1.

There is no need to be worried, I doubt many people believed they would be leading the series 2-0 going in to this. They are still playing good hockey and I am sure “Diamond” Dan Bylsma will have the boys ready to go on Tuesday night.

Later that night the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hosted their first home Calder Cup playoff game of 2009 with a 2-0 series lead over Bridgeport, this game would be interesting to say the least for the 5,731 white wearing fans in attendance.

Bridgeport jumped on the scoreboard first with a goal early in the first period but the Pens answered with one of their own to tie it up. After many hits and gang fights by the nets the Pen pilled on 4 goals (3 PP goals) in the second period to take the 4-2 lead and a 3-0 series lead at the beginning of the third period, but things would drastically change in the remaining 20 minutes. Two goals by Bridgeport in the 3rd would knot up the score at 4-4 and more importantly give the Sound Tigers the momentum and take the crowd out of the game. Little changed in OT, the shot were there but both teams played tough but Sean Bentivoglio’s slap shot would elude John Curry’s pad and seal the deal for the Sound Tigers as they stole a 5-4 win from the Pens.

Game 4 of this series will resume Wednesday as Bridgeport will be hosting their first “home” game of this series after being the playing the first two “home” games at the Nassau Coliseum.

End of Tradition

2009-04-20T07:06:00.000-07:00

This past week an announcement was made by Lock Haven University administrators that the university would discontinue the baseball program. Reasoning behind this tough decision was due because of financial constraints. The universities administration sought input from coaches, athletics administrators, and other internal and external stakeholders. After careful analysis and evaluation, it was determined that discontinuing baseball was the appropriate option.

With the current economic status with universities public and private, this trend will soon be happening more across the country. This is a sad day for LHU athletics and especially for the baseball program which had such a great tradition.

The baseball program currently has 28 players and 2 coaches on the roster. 25 of those players will have remaining eligibility if they choose to transfer to another institution. The university will also honor those players that have athletic based scholarships if they choose to stay at LHU.

Below is the email that was sent to all current and former students, as well as all facility and staff:

Following analysis and consultation, the administration of Lock Haven University has determined to discontinue the intercollegiate baseball program effective the end of the 2009 season. The primary reason is financial. The University is not able to sustain its athletic program as it presently exists without doing significant harm to intercollegiate athletics as a whole and to our core academic mission.

The decision was not taken lightly. We sought and received input from athletic administrators, coaches, and external constituencies; the decision, however, was made at managerial level. We took into account such factors as the number of students and employees affected and the potential for sustainability of the program through donations.

The affected coaches and student-athletes have been notified. Students with remaining eligibility will be able to transfer if they so wish. Those who remain at LHU will continue to receive their scholarships.

Baseball at Lock Haven University has a long history and a rich tradition. The loss of any such program is painful and not made less so by recognition that hard decisions are now required to meet the challenges facing our university. Please find attached a document with questions and answers.

Roger Johnson, Interim Provost
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania

A whole new season

2009-04-18T07:56:00.000-07:00

Friday night the WBS Penguins held on to a 3-2 win over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at the Nassau Coliseum. It didn’t take long for the Pens to break things open. Former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton pest Pascal Morency was whistled for hooking off the opening faceoff, which gave the visitors an early power play to pounce on. Little surprise, it was Chris Minard, who finished the regular season with a team record 21 pp goals, who got the team going. Minard crashed the net and swatted a loose puck out of midair and behind Nathan Lawson at 1:22 to open the scoring.

The Bridgeport bench protested the goal, saying it was either a high stick or thrown in by Minard’s hand, but referee David Banfield allowed the play to stand. “I just remember jamming at the side of the net, and the puck went up so I swung at it,” said Minard. “I didn’t even know it went in. I thought I was going to get jumped for slashing him in the head so I just kind of turned my back.” Dustin Jeffrey stretched the lead to 2-0 with the team’s second power play tally of the night. Jeffrey threw a shot through traffic late in the period, and saw the puck deflect off a Bridgeport defender and into the cage for his first of the postseason.

Luca Caputi made the score 3-0 midway through the game, and the Pens looked to be rolling.
But the Sound Tigers weren’t done just yet. Trevor Smith got the home club on the board with a shorthanded shot that beat John Curry, and Rob Hennigar drove the net and deflected a Mike Iggulden feed to cut the lead to one goal for the Penguins at the end of 40 minutes.

Curry was solid, stopping 15 shots in the final frame to preserve the win. The victory was his 15th postseason win with the Penguins, a new team record. “He steps up to the plate every time and takes care of us,” Reirden said of Curry. “Our penalty kill tonight was phenomenal again and as always, your best penalty killer is your goalie.”

The Penguins are now 9-12 in Game Ones of playoff series, 4-7 on the road and are now 23-30 all-time in road playoff contests.

BOOM goes the dynamite

2009-04-18T07:35:00.000-07:00

And just like that the Pens take a hard fought 2-0 lead over the Flyers Friday night at the Mellon Arena. The game started in a dominate fashion for the Pens with a lot of heavy action in the Flyers zone, unfortunately that's all it would be since Martin Biron showed up to play. The highlight of the first period had to be the announcer on FSN Pittsburgh sating "You gotta make hay when you have the sunlight", i have no idea what that means but I felt it needed to be mentioned.

The game was more of a catchup game for the Pens, but as they did all season they climbed their way back with a huge OT goal from Bill Guerin which was his second of the night. Sixty-three seconds into an extended five-on-three power play, Bill Guerin threw a shot past Biron from the left side of the crease to give the Penguins a 3-2. Guerin's goal was his second of the game and came at 18:29 of overtime, while Mike Knuble and Claude Giroux of the Flyers were in the penalty box.

Both teams will travel east for a 3:08 match up Sunday at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. If the Pens can split in Philly then come back to the Burgh with a 3-1 lead things will definitely be in the Pens favor back home.

GAME II

2009-04-17T13:30:00.000-07:00

Game 2 between the Pittsburgh Penguins and those nancys from Philadelphia will be a 7:00pm puck drop at the Igloo. Big surprise that Daniel Carcillo wont be lacing up the skates tonight after a blow to Max Talbot's head during a last second face off before the 4-1 Pens victory.

Chances are this game will be just a physical on both sides of the ice. Dan "I left my heart in Wilkes-Barre" Bylsma will have the troops ready tonight to hopefully take a 2 game advantage. Bylsma had a impressive 35-16-1-2 record in 54 games while being the boss in Wilkes-Barre earlier this season before getting the call to the steel city.

If the Pens can muscle out a win tonight and take a 2-0 lead in to Philadelphia, the Pens most definitely will have the momentum that will be needed in front of a hostel Flyers crowd. Tonight should be full of shots on the goals and hopefully not on players heads.

Hi my name is Bill and I listen to Danzig.

2009-04-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

It was a warm Friday at high-noon when the challenge was established, to be the first car to arrive at our favorite authentic Mexican Restaurante, La Tolteca.

Your starting line up:

In the aqua colored 1998 Ford Escort

The Wheelman-Bill D.
Navigator-Mike C.
All around good guy-Rob B.

Sporting the glossy black 2006 Chevy Trailblazer

Speedracer- Brian M.
Sidekick- Chris S.
Backseat lover- Tom D.

As the kids say, it was on! Out to a early lead was the B-mull crew, but they were unknowing of the decisiveness of the aqua escort and its wheelman. A strategic move by Bill cutting off someone is a turning lane was the nail in the coffin, but a last minute red light yielded the trailblazer in its stance while the Danzig powered escort rocked its way to victory and Mexican delight.

After a debate of whether to sit outside in the enjoyable weather or to live like a hermit that wears sweatpants, a choice was made to enjoy the sweet UV rays from the sun. After meeting our glorious waitress controversy arose with the challenge and strategies used, but you cant argue with pure talent (and Danzig).

Needless to say that the 3,600 seconds we get to enjoy for our lunch was quite enjoyable with high speed racing comparable to Daytona, Mexican delight and of course a nice appetizer and dessert of Danzig.

SIDE NOTE: A huge congrats to Rob B.

Pengiuns/Sound Tigers Preview

2009-04-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

Ding Ding........Round 1/Game 1

Tonight at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island the quest for the elusive Calder Cup begins for the WBS Penguins. This first round challenger will be the mythological Sounds Tigers of Bridgeport. Bridgeport did have a 4-2 regular season advantage over the Pens this season, but as we all know regular season records don’t matter in the playoffs.

This match up will be interesting not only because the first two games will be at neutral site at the “island”, but also because the east division was very tight (that’s what she said) through the entire season.

Tonight’s puck drop will be at 7:30pm and tomorrows at 7:00pm. Many “experts” have this series going to 6 or 7 games with the Sounds Tigers taking this Eastern Conference Semi-final match-up. Only time will tell with this match-up.

GAME PREDICTION: 4-2 Flightless Birds........WWWOOOO

It's ALIVE

2009-04-17T07:25:00.000-07:00

Today marks a historic event of the lives of Casual Friday. On Friday April 19th 2009 at 10:19am Casual Friday was born. For all of those who look forward to wearing jeans to work on Friday's and tucking your favorite dress shirt into them like a rancher from Wyoming, this is for you.

This brain child known as this blog will contain thoughts on sports, witty banter, and just random things. So sit back enjoy and hopefully this will be interesting trip for all.

Roads?.......Where we're going we don't need roads!