SLAP SHOTS

Yes, hockey fans, it’s finally here. The deep freeze of the lockout is finally over and your Pittsburgh Penguins will be hitting the ice before you know it. We sure did miss our Boys of Winter. Now that the season is upon us, there are many hockey-related questions to be answered. We know that Sid is ecstatic to be returning to the ice. How will his health hold up? Considering it’s only going to be a 48-50 game season, there is less opportunity for injury. That’s good news. Geno was ripping up the KHL. Will he capitalize off of that and earn a second straight MVP? It’s rumored that the Pens will face off against the Philthedelphia Cryers in their first game back. Can they avenge their first-round loss and beat the snot out of the Cryers? If I remember correctly, the Pens were rebuffed when they pursued Ryan Suter, Zach Parise, and Shane Doan. The only significant signing, that I recall, was Tomas Vokoun as backup goalie. Will Vokoun be able to spell Flower and pick up some wins for us, in the process? How about the youngsters down on the farm in Wilkes-Barre? Have they grown enough that they’ll be able to blossom with the big club? I think the strike-shortened season can work to the Pens’ advantage. I’m going to go ahead and call it and say that the Pens will take their 4^th Stanley Cup over the Nashville Preds in June. To quote Mike Lange, “Lord Stanley, Lord Stanley, pass me the brandy.” Let’s Go Pens!!!