Pens, Bucs, Pioneers on a roll
There has been plenty to cheer about in recent weeks when it comes to the local athletic scene. Whether at the professional or local scholastic level, area fans should feel pretty good about themselves, as well as some of their favorite teams. If you are in need of a bit of a pick-me-up, these next few points may just put a smile on your face and a spring in your step …
n Look out world, the Pittsburgh Penguins are back. After coming back from a 3-0 deficit to beat Ottawa 5-3 on Tuesday, the Pens were riding a seven-game win streak and earned victories in 13 of their last 14 contests. That run of success has vaulted them into second place in the Metropolitan Division with 102 points and in the Eastern Conference as a whole.
Perhaps no one has enjoyed the ride more than vindicated winger Phil Kessel, whom many had tabbed as the biggest disappointment on the team for the majority of the season. The sniper has piled up 13 points (four goals, nine assists) over Pittsburgh’s 14-game tear and seems to have silenced the critics, while gaining support from the Penguin fans and media.
What has made the Pens’ rocket-like surge to the upper echelon of the NHL more impressive has been who has not been along for the ride. The Black and Gold has been without the services of all-world center Evgeni Malkin and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who was carrying the team up until its recent offensive explosion.
Malkin has been shelved since a 4-1 win over the hated New York Rangers on March 3. A slew of number 71’s teammates, including Kessel, have more than picked up the slack for the Russian star, as is evident by the team’s 70 goals scored during the 17 contests missed by Malkin.
In contrast, 21-year-old wunderkind Matt Murray has been primarily responsible for keeping the wins coming over Fleury’s much briefer three-game absence. It’s not hard to see why some have already anointed Murray as Pittsburgh’s next franchise goalie. He has won all three of his starts since Fleury’s second concussion relegated him to the bench, allowed a total of five goals and pitched a 5-0 shutout of the Islanders on April 2.
Can anyone stop the red hot Penguins? Pittsburgh fans certainly hope not. Hopefully, the franchise can carry all of this momentum into the postseason and finally break through for a long playoff run.
n While three games in a Major League Baseball season means about as much as one move in a game of chess, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ practice of not making many waves in the offseason seems to be as sound as ever.
With the Bucs resisting any pressure, perceived or real, to break the bank after bowing out in the National League wild-card game for a second straight year, they were able to clinch a series sweep against the hated St. Louis Cardinals by grinding out runs and getting solid pitching from the starters to the bullpen.
The few pickups the team made, none of which were huge names, have been nothing but positive. While Jonathon Niese was far from dominant in Tuesday’s team debut, he performed well enough to give the Bucs a chance for victory, which they were finally able to cash in on during the 11th inning of the 6-5 win.
New corner infielders John Jason (first) and David Freese (third) have been both steady with the gloves and good enough with the bats to hold down the leadoff and three-hole spots in the batting order. Relief pitcher Neftali Felize appeared in both of the team’s first two games and pitched two perfect innings.
n News flash: West Greene is really good at softball. The Pioneers, who were 7-1 as of Wednesday night, have not only piled up the wins, but they have taken down a pair of WPIAL heavyweights early in the 2016 schedule.
The Blue and Gold announced itself as a team to be taken seriously by defeating the defending WPIAL Class AA champs and PIAA runners-up from Deer Lakes, 7-6, at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach. West Greene added to its resume by dominating perennial Class A powerhouse Chartiers-Houston 11-1 on Tuesday.
Don’t expect the Pioneers to be a one-year wonder either, as the roster is dominated by underclassmen, with the exception of senior standout Bailey Bennington.