Swatted Jackets and Shock Collars:

Nearly all the pucks belonged to Marc Andre Fleury last night in the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets..... And I still think the one goal scored on him was a case of interference.... But let us not get greedy. A win is a win, and for the first time in almost 3 months the guys have managed to make me get out the orange marker twice in a row. (orange for wins, purple for losses or OTL) The Tower of Flower Power looked like Gumby in goalie pads. Stretching and bending to make some incredible saves including a mind-blowing save on a Rick Nash far-side wrap-around attempt and a 'How did he see that' save on, I think it was Chimera. That pass from behind the net to an open player in the slot has been deadly to Flower in the past, but he flashed his glove and gobbled it up. There's a movement in the area to have Fleury's toes bronzed after the saves on Nash and Dorsett

I don't know who slapped these guys out of their coma, but the team needs to hire him on a permanent basis. Orpik was throwing his body around bashing people into the boards and giving 'crazy eyes' to everyone else. Le-tank was firing his cannon from just about anywhere he wanted to, one of the shot leaders in the game with 5, two goals and another shot that was just a Doobie-doobie-do away from a hat trick. (I'm not even going to try to spell that guys name) Scuds gets a goalie assist for clearing out the crease with Fleury sprawled out in the net. Cookie Monster absolutely crushed Kessla at the blue-line leading to a nice scoring chance. 'Fishes' Caputi was shooting like a deranged hit-man, and showing considerable poise on the penalty kill. Everyone was bashing Blue Jackets around and skating with power and energy. And who do we blame for all this? That's right, Evgeni Malkin. Geno was playing like the first period of last night's game was just the 4th period of the Lightning game. The difference this time was the other 18 guys were trying to play the same game he was. But the only way any of this had any chance to succeed or meaning at all was the outstanding play of Marc Andre Fleury between the pipes. Without the amazing saves and the defensive support MAF delivered and received, energy on the offense doesn't mean a thing....

Rattnotes: Penschick made a comment last post about how Error may have jinxed the Flower's shut-out last night, and I totally agree. There isn't a game that goes by where I don't say 'Shut up Bob!' at least 4 times when he's said something to jinx the Pens. I know that some of you may not read the comments on past posts, and I came up with a very good idea that I wanted to share. You know that old dog-training staple, the shock-collar? I think we should outfit Error and Stogie each with one and give the remotes to a random sampling of Penguin fans. That way when Stogie starts rambling about who's related to whom so that you've missed who the penalty was called on, the 'Buzzer Fans' would hit their buttons and zap the crap out of him to get him back to the game. Think about it. Imagine how it would have worked in games past, when Error pipes up "The Water! He's drinkin the ZZZZZZZTTTTT!!!.... Scuderi passes to Crosby down the wall.... I think this idea has possibilities.

Pins and Pens: Rob Scuderi's wife talked to the Potash last night about a charity event taking place Thursday Feb. 12. Evidently for 300 bucks you too can bowl with a Penguin, (searching my piggy-bank for 300 clams) the event benefits the Make-a-Wish Foundation and all the Pens are supposed to participate along with the wives and girlfriends of the players. Now personally, I think bowling ranks right up there with curling and needlepoint for excitement factor, but you don't bowl because you like bowling, you bowl because you lack the social skills to actually meet people in a natural setting. Only loser-geeks bowl. So yeah, if I could mug my bank for 3 bills I'd knock down little old ladies to be able to bowl with the Pens.... just as long as they don't make me wear those stupid shirts......