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Pittsburgh, PA • United States • 48 Years Old • Male

Unraveled

Posted 9:05 AM ET | Comments 21
A Google search for the word ‘unraveled‘ shows definition number two as:
Become undone.

While the post game interviews from the Penguins locker room had guys talking about commitment to the team and each other, what happened on the ice sure looked a lot more like a team that has ‘become undone’.

While it may be surprising to some that this team faces elimination in game 4 on Wednesday night in Philadelphia, it’s not that much of a surprise to me.

I have been talking about the problems I have seen in their ‘playoff hockey’ for the past three seasons, so watching the Penguins lose game 3 didn’t come as that much of a shock to me.

What did come as a shock was the way they unraveled on the ice.

What happened Sunday it tough to ignore…and if we’re paying attention, it speaks to much bigger problems than a lot of fans would like to admit.

What happened Sunday was something I would have expected from the Flyers, not the Penguins.

What happened Sunday was disgusting…embarrassing…disgraceful…and demoralizing.

I have watched this team perform in the past…and been more than impressed with their character in tough situations.

Two years ago, when they lost to the Canadiens, I attributed the loss to a cup hangover and a hot goalie (Halak).

Last year, when they lost 3 games in a row to the Lightning was the first time I openly questioned their character: http://my.hockeybuzz.com/...id=6464&post_id=11129. Of course, minus Malkin and Crosby, it was still debatable whether or not their character should be questioned.

After what I've seen in these playoffs, and specifically what I saw yesterday, if I hear one more guy talk about character…I might stop listening to them completely.

Yesterday was the closest thing I could imagine to what it would have been like to root for the Flyers teams of the past.

Yesterday was the unraveling of character…something I didn’t think would or even could happen.

It’s going to take a lot of work to fix what’s wrong with this team and the chances are very good it won’t be something that can be accomplished in the next couple of days, weeks or even months.

When a situation like this happens, it speaks to problems at the core…and problems at the core are not fixed by band-aids on the surface.

When a team unravels as much as it appears the Penguins have, it takes a lot of time and hard work to sew things back together.
Filed Under:   malkin   crosby   game 3   flyers   pens  
April 16, 2012 9:33 AM ET | Delete
I for one am shocked over this. Fleaury I dont know what is going on that kids head and your CAptain Sid really? You dont do that when you know things are goign to erupt. He is the Captain and supposed to lead by example but yesterday he proved he is still Sid the kid and if I was the coach I designate him tot he fourth line
April 16, 2012 10:14 AM ET | Delete
I think Sid felll into the incorrect line of thinking that you mix it up...hoping to change the momentum. That only really works when you are getting outplayed because you're not giving it the right effort. The Penguins problems are way deeper than just a lack of effort.
April 16, 2012 10:17 AM ET | Delete
Yesterday was the closest thing I could imagine to what it would have been like to root for the Flyers teams of the past.I have no idea what this means.
April 16, 2012 10:30 AM ET | Delete
The perception of the Flyer's teams that were bent on destruction. When the chips were down, they just fought...they didn't win or show the character necessary to win...they just tried to hurt people. The Pens aren't that bad...but not much better.
April 16, 2012 11:39 AM ET | Delete
April 16, 2012 12:19 PM ET | Delete
You need to stop comparing everything to the Flyers. It's a wasted argument such as how you always point out the Crosby antics don't exist and/or they get old since they are pointed out all the time.
April 16, 2012 1:10 PM ET | Delete
I need to stop comparing to the Flyers? It was the most logical and relevant comparison to make...and one that Penguin fans would understand. And I have never said Crosby antics don't exist. Maybe you are confusing me with someone else.
April 16, 2012 2:36 PM ET | Delete
April 16, 2012 4:14 PM ET | Delete
Ice. Each post you make you add a statement about the Flyers. Really, lets revisit 1970's and80's all the time. The league has other teams that you should be able to identify with instead of drawing comparisons to the Flyers day and day out. I like your posts but add some diversity. As for Crosby, you mentioned that bringing up his antics is old and boring...that sort of the thing...
April 16, 2012 4:38 PM ET | Delete
Each post where? Here...when discussing the series? I guess I should talk about the Senators and Rangers. My mention of the Flyers was EXACTLY suited for my blog post today. I have given the necessary credit to the Flyers, as they exist today, and how they are the better team.
April 16, 2012 4:42 PM ET | Delete
My last blog...The Truth Hurts, made no mention of the Flyers in negative way. My blog before that...Already in A Must Win Situation...ditto. The blog before that...It's a 60 Minute Game...well, look here...SAME THING!!!.
April 16, 2012 4:47 PM ET | Delete
The first blog of the series...Crossing the Right Line...I basically said don't let the Flyers bully you into crossing that line. It was reported on Twitter today...Hartnell saying it was the Flyer's plan all along.
April 16, 2012 4:50 PM ET | Delete
I make one mention of the Flyers' past and you object. Given it's relevancy to what I was saying...about how it made me feel about my own team...I think you are way off base. I think you need to get over the 70's and 80's.
April 16, 2012 7:03 PM ET | Delete
is mario going to threaten to leave the league if his team keeps brawling? is there some way for Mario to blame the Isles for this one? Or does he finally see that the players he has on HIS team are the issue? Good riddance Pens, don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.
April 16, 2012 8:28 PM ET | Delete
Your emotion is getting the best of you. Take a deep breathe and move on...step away from the keyboard.
April 16, 2012 8:39 PM ET | Delete
Your emotion is getting the best of you. Take a deep breathe and move on...step away from the keyboard. - Did I disprove your point...I think so. Emotion is not what that was...that was fact vs fiction.
April 16, 2012 11:18 PM ET | Delete
April 16, 2012 11:21 PM ET | Delete
You must limit your comments...to about 3-4 average length sentences or else you get a blank comment. Those of you that have a blank...please try again...I don't delete comments unless they are just total senseless trash.
April 16, 2012 11:25 PM ET | Delete
ugh. not typing my message again.
April 16, 2012 11:36 PM ET | Delete
Isles_since_6 - I am curious to see what Mario says but feel he'll probably be quiet about it until the series is over...per NHL dictate. Honestly...what happened in the Isles game was largely because the Isles gooned it up. What happened yesterday was because the Pens did the same thing. Certainly calls Mario's previous comments into question.
April 17, 2012 3:38 PM ET | Delete
This article by Dejan is perfect - http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_791501.html
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