THE BLACK-N-GOLD NEWS
PENGUINS
Pens D Olli Maatta was smiling like a butcher's dog this week. Our Pens signed him to a 6 year, $24.4 million contract extension. Congrats to Olli!
The Pens grounded the Winnipeg Jets last Saturday by a score of 4-1. In that game, F Conor Sheary left with an undisclosed injury. Prior to the game, the Pens re-called D Steve Olesky from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (more on him later). Another re-call was announced when the Pens brought up G Matt Murray from WB/S, too. And a few days before the trade deadline, GM Trader Jim Rutherford made a deal. He traded a 2016 3rd round pick to Edmonton for D Justin Schultz. Schultz will be a restricted free agent after this season. Welcome to Pittsburgh, Schultzie!
On Sunday the Pens sent Olesky back to WB/S and called up D David Warsofsky (we're still not finished with Olesky yet).
Monday afternoon brought us the NHL trade deadline. Trader Jim wasn't done yet, although the deals were relatively minor. Rutherford sent unhappy F Sergei Plotnikov to Arizona for a 7th round pick and prospect Matthias Plachta, a forward. They also got C Dustin Jeffrey from AZ in a deal for minor leaguers. In keeping with the minor league theme, Jeffrey was sent to the Baby Pens. Sheary also made the trip back down to the minors. Meanwhile, former GM Ray Shero claimed Warsofsky off waivers for the Devils.
After Plotnikov made the trek from the Pens looker room at Consol all the way to the visitor's locker room, the Pens proceeded to go out and crush his new team, the Coyotes, 6-0. F Patrick Hornqvist recorded his 1st career hat trick in the contest. G Marc-Andre Fleury pitched his 5th shutout of the season and 43rd of his career. Congrats to Horny and Flower!
Before Wednesday's game in Washington, the Pens again called up Olesky from WB/S. The Pens then went out and lost to the Capitals 3-2. But wait! We're not done with Olesky. He made the trip back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton one more time this week. The kid could make this trip in his sleep.
Last night the Pens got back in the win column in a big way, routing the New York Rangers 4-1. This was a big W for the Boys of Winter. New York G Henrik Lundqvist threw a hissy fit and was pulled from the game as the Pens got the Rangers monkey off their backs. That win puts the Pens just 1 point behind the New York Islanders for 3rd place in the Metro division.
The puck drops Saturday afternoon at Consol as the Pens play the Calgary Flames. Mrs. Black-N-Gold will be in attendance with Brother Black-N-Gold to cheer our Pens to victory. Let's Go Pens!!!
PIRATES
Our Pirates finally played some meaningful spring training baseball this week. On Monday they played the annual Black-N-Gold Game with the Gold edging the Black 4-3. The next day, the Bucs played their Grapefruit League opener and topped the Tigers 4-2. On Wednesday it was the Buccos turn to host Detroit for the Grapefruit League home opener in Bradenton. The Pirates were pasted by the Tigers 10-3.
Yesterday, Doc Emrick took a break from his NHL broadcasting schedule to join Greg Brown and John Wehner in the booth for the Pirates tilt with Toronto. Unfortunately, Doc didn't have a lot to cheer about as the Buccos fell to the Blue Jays 10-8.
Keep working on your game, boys. Let's Go Bucs!!!!!
STEELERS
Not much news from our Steelers South Side offices this week. The Combine is over. Now the process begins of having players visit for interviews and scouts and coaches visit Pro Days.
Some good news was announced injury-wise. RB Le'Veon Bell has started running on a treadmill as he rehabs the knee that was injured back in October. There is still no timetable for L Bell's return to the field. Get well soon, Le'Veon!
The deadline passed this week for teams to issue tags to their players (transition, franchise, etc.) The Steelers did not designate any tags to their players.
Congrats to Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney. The Hall of Famer will be honored with the Jackie Robinson Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. The ROBIE awards will be presented Monday night in New York City.
Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!
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