THE BLACK-N-GOLD NEWS
PENGUINS
Our Penguins faced off in game 1 of their 2nd round Stanley Cup playoff series against the President's Trophy-winning Washington Capitals in DC. The Pens dropped the opener in OT 4-3. The Pens bounced back in game 2 to even the series with a 2-1 win.
The following day, the NHL announced that they suspended former Penguin and current Capitals D Brooks Orpik for a hit on Pens D Olli Maatta that forced Olli to leave the game. Orpik was given a 3-game suspension. Olli has still not returned to action. Get better, Olli!
It was announced that former Pens F Pascal Dupuis is a finalist for the Masterton Award, This award is given to the player " who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey." Good luck, Duper!
The Pens returned to Consol Energy Center of Monday night for game 3 against the Caps. Rookie G Matt Murray was sensational as he stopped 47 of 49 shots in leading the Pens to a 3-2 victory to gai a 2 games to 1 advantage. The Pens lost F Bryan Rust early in this contest. He was able to return the next game.
Unfortunately, turnabout is fair play. The NHL suspended Pens D Kris Letang the next day for a hit to Caps F Marcus Johansson. Tanger was given a 1-game timeout.
Prior to last night's game 4 matchup, the Pens announced that F Tom Sestito and D Steve Olesky were re-called from Wilkes/Barre-Scranton.
Last night the Pens took a 3-1 series lead. Even without Tanger and F Eric Fehr, who's out with an undisclosed injury, our favorite Black-N-Gold hockey team pulled out a win. F Patric Hornqvist scored the game-winner in a 3-2 OT victory.
The Pens will travel back to the nation's capital for a Saturday night faceoff at 7:15pm. Let's Go Pens!!!
PIRATES
Our Pirates week started out so good. They clobbered Colorado 9-4. CF Andrew McCutchen appeared to finally break out of his early-season slump by cracking 3 home runs in the route.
The much-maligned bullpen took a beating in the next night's matchup but the Bucs hung on to clip Colorado, 9-8, in 12. The matinee finale was postponed due to snow (!). The makeup game has been re-scheduled for June 9 at 3:10pm MT. The poor Pirates have a home game the night before, have to travel to Colorado and then get back home for a night game the next day. Did someone in the organization tick off MLB's scheduling department?
The Buccos returned to PNC Park last weekend to face divison rival Cincy. The good guys took the opener, 4-1. They raised the Jolly Roger again the next day in a 5-1 win.
During the weekend series, the Pirates also made a roster move. They re-called RH Jared Hughes from his rehab assignment as Triple A Indy. RH Rob Scahill was sent back to Indy to make room.
The Bucs were unable to complete the sweep of Cincy, losing Sunday in 11, 6-5. Errors and the bullpen were the culprits in this loss. As the calendar turned to May, the losses kept on mounting.
The NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs came to town for a much-anticipated matchup with the 2nd best team in the division. The Cubs clobbered the Bucs in the opener, 7-2. It didn't stop there. Cubs RH Jake Arrieta continue his dominance of the Buccos in his 7-1 win the next night. And then the Cubs broke out the broom for good measure in the finale, 6-2.
Some Pirates received good news this week. The club announced that the entire coaching staff had their contracts extended through the 2017 season. And some Pirates prospects received accolades, too. Congrats go out to Triple A Indy 1B Josh Bell, named last week's International League Batter of the Week. Not to be outdone, his teammate, RH Tyler Glasnow, was honored as International League Pitcher of the Week this week. Congrats to Tyler, too. And down in the low minors, Bradenton Marauders LH Brandon Waddell was named Florida State League Pitcher of the Week. Congrats, Brandon.
The Buccos were hit with an injury down on the farm, too. Pirates Triple A C Elias Diaz was scheduled to undergo surgery on a bum elbow on his throwing (right) arm. Get well soon, Elias!
The Pirates now go on the road to face another division rival, the St Louie Cardinals. The Buccos are 15-13, 6 games in back of the Cubs. St Louie is hot on their trail with a 13-14, 7.5 out (Mrs. Black-N--Gold typed these words last night when St Louie was losing to Philly 3-0 in the bottom of the 4th). Pack the Jolly Roger and raise it several times. The Pirates are 0 for May. Let's Go Bucs!!!!!
STEELERS
All of Black-N-Gold nation waited with bated breath for the kickoff to the 2016 NFL Draft last week. With the 25th pick in the draft, our Pittsburgh Steelers choose Artie Burns, CB, Miami. In the 2nd round, the Steelers took Sean Davis from Maryland. Davis was at CB last season for the Terps but was a safety in 2014, the position his projected to play for the Black-N-Gold. In round #3 the Steelers went with DT Javon Hargrave from SC State. LSU OT Jerald Hawkins was taken in the 4th round. Round 6 brought the Steelers an OLB in the form of Travis Feeney from Washington. To round out their draft, the Steelers had 2 selections in the 7th round: WR/PR DeMarcus Ayers from Houston and Temple OLB Tyler Matakevich.
Although she looks at life through Black-N-Gold-colored glasses, it's hard for Mrs. Black-N-Gold to be happy with this draft. It seems like Burns and Davis were stretches. Burns is considered a project, too. When you have a dire need at corner and you're oh-so-close to a Super Bowl, why waste your 1st round pick on a project? And Hargrave didn't even attend an FBS school. Only time will tell who's right, Mrs. Black-N-Gold or our favorite Black-N-Gold football team. Here's hoping the Steelers are right.
Meanwhile, some moves were made with some Steelers veterans The team signed QB Bruce Gradkowski to a 1-year contract. Grad is expected to compete for the backup QB role with Landry Jones. OLB James Harrison officially announced that he will return to the Steelers this season. This is the final year of Deebo's contract. In more linebacking news, the Steelers have decided not to exercise the 5th year option for former 1st round pick, OLB Jarvis Jones. Jones will become a free agent after this season.
This weekend the rookies report to the Steelers South Side facilities for mini camp. The sooner the youngster get acclimated and contribute, the sooner we'll all be happy campers. Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!
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