GO PENS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A TSCS "Pep Rally"

Admittedly, I am both in personality and looks just about the farthest thing from a cheerleader as one can get, but I'm going to do my very best impression of one right now because [cliché alert] it's times like these - when things seem their worst - that we need to rally behind our Boys of Winter and show them how much we believe in them. We had a chance to vent our frustrations in the comments section of the last post, but today's comments section should be labeled "Positive Vibes ONLY!" ;) If any team in the NHL can rise above a situation like this, IT'S OUR PENGUINS.

I've got some things to help get you geared up and in the mood for tomorrow's game. First up, you'll need to watch this as a refresher before I go any further (note - pay close attention to what the Saint says):



Well, it looks like Ruutu's not the only one who can claim to be an artist's muse now! Friend of The Show Maria T. found out that Sid's got a song now, too. Click here to listen to "Sid the Kid's on Fire" by Heavy Eric. If you want to put it on your iPod here are instructions:

• Mozilla Firefox users - click the link and choose "Save" instead of "Open"
• Internet Explorer users - right click the link and choose "Save Target As..."

Show veteran Michelle B. sent in a link to this Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Q & A session with Siddo.

And finally today, Friend of The Show Marie M. sent in some pictures from last night's game. Her shots all come from the pregame warmups (make sure to check out the shots of the groups of Pens fans at the Joe):

LATE EDIT: "Where's Waldo?" TSCS style - Click this image to enlarge it and see if you can spot the Alex Ovechkin jersey in that sea of red. WTF?!

It is undeniable that we're down. WAY down. BUT WE'RE NOT OUT. We're a long way from it. The team needs us now more than they ever have, so let's not let them down!!! I've got two more things for you to get you pumped for tomorrow. First, here's the "Boys of Winter" mp3. And I've made another ringtone for you. It is the sound we ALL want to hear MANY, MANY times tomorrow night:

More from snoopyjode at Myxer

Thanks SOOOOO MUCH to Maria, Michelle, and Marie for their contributions to today's post! :) Now say let's all say it together:

GO PENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stanley Cup Finals Game 2: Pens v Red Wings (L 0-3)

These are indeed frustrating times. Nineteen years and one day since Gary Roberts won the Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames, he rejoined the Pens' lineup for Michel Therrien's line shuffling. The changes didn't spark anything. Detroit has held Pittsburgh scoreless for 2 full hours of play. Here's how things went down.



Early in the first period, Sid was tripped (no call) but he still managed to make an unreal pass to himself, which then enabled him to make a beautiful centering pass to Ryan Malone, who promptly fanned on the shot. A short time later, Sid stole the puck from Chris Osgood, but Nicklas Lidstrom blocked Sid's wraparound chance. Another heavy hit came from Niklas Kronwall, but this time he left his feet as he nailed Jarrko Ruutu (no call). Brad Stuart drew first blood when he took a slapshot that bounced up and over Marc-Andre Fleury for the goal. [Pens 0, Wings 1]


Rob Scuderi took a friendly-fire stick to the face from Hal Gill. Dan Cleary got a clean lead pass for a break; fortunately his shot went wide. At the 10 minute mark, we're told that the Pens had yet to register a single shot on goal. Allow me to be Captain Obvious here for a second, but this is not how Cups are won. A turnover to Tomas Holmstrom behind the net enabled Holmstrom to send the puck to the front where Henrik Zetterberg was ready to fire. The puck trickled through MAF's five hole, and Holmstrom sneaked in behind to help the puck complete its journey over the goal line. [Pens 0, Wings 2]


Stuart took the night's first penalty for tripping, and despite some unreal chances (especially one extremely close call by the Saint), the Pens didn't score on their advantage. Pascal Dupuis made a neat little ducking play to escape a big hit. Bugsy was called for interference. Luckily the Red Wings didn't capitalize on their advantage. Evgeni Malkin, who has drawn sharp criticism for his performance in Game 1, drew a hooking penalty on Cleary. The Pens had another set of near misses from Roberts and Jordan Staal, but again they couldn't score on their power play. With just 2 seconds left in their advantage, Roberts was called for a roughing penalty. The period ended with the Wings ahead by a pair.


The second began with Roberts in the box with just over 1:45 left on his penalty. The Pens (Dupuis in particular) couldn't clear the puck to save their souls, and finally play was stopped when Flower made a freeze. The Wings didn't add to their lead on this power play. Flower made a beauty of a save on Cleary, and Sid blocked a shot from Brian Rafalski. Then Sid won a face off in Detroit's zone. He sent the puck to Dupuis, whose shot literally ping-ponged between at least two Red Wings' sticks, but Osgood kept it out of the net.


Holmstrom was called for slashing, but the Pens didn't get a power play because Brooks Orpik was called for roughing at the same time. On the ensuing 4-on-4, Staal made a fantastic backchecking play on Valtteri Filppula to prevent him from getting a breakaway chance. Neither team scored. Later, Dallas Drake put a hit on Orpik that looked to me like it involved his elbow, but no call was made. Stuart hauled Sidney down, but no call was made. The Pens' best opportunity of this series came when Andreas Lilja fell when attempting to receive a pass in his own zone, and Roberts took the puck. Roberts set up Staal for a shot, but Staal just missed because he stutter stepped ever so slightly. Off a faceoff, Bugsy was forced down to the ice, but once again, no call was made.


The Saint was setting guys up all over the place, but - as with Game 1 - the Pens' timing seemed to be an issue again tonight. Bugsy was called for a weak slashing penalty. While shorthanded, Flower made a series of wicked saves. His only mistake came when he attempted to clear the puck, but a Red Wing was able to glove it down and keep it in. Fortunately, Mad Max Talbot made a sweet diving poke check to clear the puck out. The Red Wings didn't score on this power play, and the second period - the FIFTH CONSECUTIVE SCORELESS PERIOD FOR THE PENS - came to an end.


At the start of the third period, Sergei Gonchar fired a shot that Osgood blocked. Marian Hossa then was called for a weak holding penalty. The Red Wings didn't score on this power play. Later the springing boards reared their ugly heads again when Flower was behind the net attempting to play the puck, but it hit said boards and popped way out in front of the empty net. Fortunately, a Penguin got to it first. Bugsy put a late hit on Zetterberg. Pavel Datsyuk came in to defend his teammate. Bugsy and Datsyuk were given coincidental roughing minors. Sid and Gonch had a pair of near misses, but neither team scored on the 4-on-4. Tyler Kennedy made a nifty little play to keep the puck in the offensive zone as he swooped in on his knees. A handpass between the Red Wings was not called.


Drake was called for tripping after using his stick to haul Roberts down to the ice. Sixteen seconds in, Stuart pushed Bugsy into Osgood, but of course the refs didn't see it that way. Bugsy was sent to the sin bin for goalie interference. Filppula scored after getting around Kris Letang, fooling MAF, and making an impressive nearly diving shot. [Pens 0, Wings 3]


Mad Max had a good rush through neutral ice with Roberts, but Osgood made the save. Then Roberts put a huge hit (and maybe a left hander to the chin) on Johan Franzen, who was back for his first game after missing 6 with "concussion-like symptoms." Franzen was evidently okay because he felt good enough to get into a fight with Mad Max on his next shift. Franzen pitched a fit that he was given a penalty for his efforts. It was pointless because Detroit still ended up with the power play since Mad Max was given a double minor penalty for roughing, while Franzen was given just one. The Red Wings didn't score on their power play. Mr. Hockey Gordie Howe was shown in the stands taking it all in.


To be honest with you, I pretty much checked out and stopped taking notes from this point on until there was 1:08 left in the period. It was at this time that Petr Sykora barely touched Osgood, who was behind the net attempting to play the puck. But from Osgood's reaction, you would have thought he'd been shot with a high powered sniper rifle. This (naturally) caused all hell to break loose. Geno, Roberts, and Orpik were all involved in separate fights - Orpik ended up with blood on his jersey, though I couldn't tell where it was coming from. Syko was given a minor for goalie interference in addition to all the penalties doled out for the melee, so Detroit ended up with a power play to end the game. No more damage was done, and the game ended with another shutout.



I'm not a coach. I don't know what the Pens need to do, but I know they need to do something, and they need to do it now. Otherwise, they may as well just hand Detroit the Stanley Cup right now. The uneven calls aren't helping, but they've faced all that before and still came out on top. Detroit is good - they are by far the best team the Pens have faced all season - but I know that our Boys of Winter are better than this. The Pens MUST figure out how to win a game at the Joe Louis Arena if they want the Cup. They cannot get it without at least one win there. [*Sigh*] They get to come home to friendly faces for the next two. Game 3 is this Wednesday at 8:00pm Eastern.


GO PENS!!!!!!!!!!

Coach Implements Several Line Changes

After 2+ seasons with Michel Therrien at the helm, this is something Pens fans are no doubt accustomed to. Here's a look at who's playing where tonight (from Globesports.com):

Therrien was unhappy enough with the Penguins offence, particularly with Malkin's performance, to shuffle his lines for Monday night's game.

Gary Roberts will replace Georges Laraque on the fourth line to add some grit. Maxime Talbot was moved to Malkin's left wing to do the same thing. Ryan Malone, Malkin's usual left winger, was moved beside Crosby while Pascal Dupuis was moved down to replace Talbot on Jordan Staal's line.

Thanks to Friends of The Show Maria T. and Narmeen A. for the heads up. :)

Go time in just over 5 minutes.

GO PENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Taking a Break - A Special Prayer for You

Dear Friends,

I am taking a break from blogging to let my health get better and to attend to some family matters.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your visits, kind comments, prayers and encouragements.

It has been a very precious and wonderful experience for me to write on this blog over the last few months and to visit your blogs.

I will miss all of you for a while but I am remembering you in prayers.

Hope you will press on daily in God's grace and strength, and continue on your wellness journey.

I will be back, God willing :-)

Take care!

A Special Prayer for You

I said a prayer for you today
and know God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart although
He spoke no word
I didn't ask for wealth or fame
I know you wouldn't mind
I asked Him to send treasures
of a far more lasting kind.
I asked that He be near you
At the start of each new day
To grant you health and blessings
and friends to share your way.
I asked for happiness for you
in all things great and small
But it was for His loving care
I prayed most of all

Comprehending Loss - coping with tragedies

Dear Friends,

Let us continue to pray for the people in Sichuan China that many may find God's comfort and grace to be upon them as they seek to rebuild their lives. China has the most severe earthquake in Beichuan, Sichuan province on 12 May 2008 in which it is estimated over 70,000 people have already died and many are still buried. The people need lots of prayers and support in this time of overwhelming loss and sufferings. Thank God for many people who are extending their prayers, love and kindness in many wonderful ways.

Let us also continue to pray for the people in Myanmar that many may find God's comfort and grace to be upon them too as they seek to rebuild their lives and homes too. Myanmar was hit by Cyclone Nargis on 2 May 2008 in which it is estimated that up to 134,000 people might have died. They too need lots of prayers and support to rebuild their homes and lives. May God shower His mercies upon them.

Let us also pray for others in other part of the world who are suffering through other natural disasters. And pray for our other families or friends who are suffering in one way or another.

In particular, please pray for the Chapman's family on the loss of their little daughter, Maria. Maria (age 5), the youngest of three daughters adopted from China by Steven and Mary Beth Chapman, was tragically killed in an accident at their home on Wednesday afternoon. It is hard to grasp the immensity of their pain in the loss of this little girl. It is a great consolation to know that God is in control and because of Jesus, through faith in Him the family will see Maria again in glory one day.

My friend, Tracy, wrote a very encouraging post "Comprehending Loss" as she shared of this tragedy of the death of little Maria Chapman and a book she read on dealing with tragedy.

Do read Tracy's encouraging post "Comprehending Loss" and check on Maria's memorial website where there is a very touching video of little Maria with Steven. There were over 16,000 people who had offered words of prayer, love and support to the Chapmans in the condolences. May God continue to comfort this family as they look to Him.

We are persuaded that nothing shall ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Not even death.

Romans 8:35,37-39

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

WTF? (aftershocks)

UPDATE: 2 more aftershock hit almost exectly the same location in the north edge of Sichuan Province (see latitude and longitudes below). I hope this is the end of the fault and where all the stress were released.

• MAP 5.0 2008/05/27 17:35:09 32.711 105.440 10.0 SICHUAN-GANSU BORDER REGION, CHINA (jiangge, again)
• MAP 4.5 2008/05/27 13:59:37 32.621 105.213 21.0 SICHUAN-GANSU BORDER REGION, CHINA (SW of Jiangge, NE of Jiangyou)
• MAP 5.5 2008/05/27 08:37:51 32.740 105.563 10.0 SICHUAN-GANSU BORDER REGION, CHINA (Ningqiang)
• MAP 5.2 2008/05/27 08:03:23 32.728 105.552 10.0 SICHUAN-GANSU BORDER REGION, CHINA (Jiangge)

UPDATE: Another quake of 5.5 (5.7 as measured by China) crossed the Sichuan borader to NE into Ningqiang County of Shanxi province. 30 minutes earlier a 5.2 aftershock at 4 km to its west, across a reservoir, almost right on the provincial border, east of Shazhou town, Jiange County. (this time USGS and CEAI agree on the grade)


View Larger Map

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Source of map CSI.AC.CN

This is very usual. Another quake (is it aftershock, or a new dislocation?) just hit a couple hours ago. There had not been a quake over 5.0 (USGS measurement, add about 0.5 for Chinese measurement) since May 19th, and no over 4.0 quake for over 32 hours.

• One shock of 4.6 hit at right at Beichuan County (the town 31.9N,104.5E) at UTC 04:27 May 25th.


• Then anotherof 5.8 6.0 (reported as 6.4 by China) 4 hours later, at SW of Qingchuan. This is the strongest quake since May 13th


• About 1 hour later, a 4.9 aftershock hit Gansu. This is the first time in the past few month any aftershock over 4.0 was located inside Gansu province. It is possible that the dislocation is shifting NE. (33N, 105E - Jianshan Village, between Wenxian and Longnan of Gansu Province) . But let's hope (also possible) that this seals the other end of this phase of earth crust activities in that fault line.

Number of 5.0+ earthquake since the first 7.9 (8.0 by Chinese Earthquake Bureau)

• May 12th: 29
  May 13th: 10
  May 14th: 11
  May 15th: 5
  May 16th: 6
  May 17th: 2
  May 18th: 3
  May 19th: 3
  May 20th: 1
  May 21st: 2
• May 22nd: 3
• May 23rd: 2
• May 24th: 0
• May 25th: 3
• May 26th: 1
• May 27th: 4

"stereotypical maps" -- across the strait

Here are some "stereotypical" maps

The world from the perspective of "a child in Taiwan" (source)


Shanghainese view of China

Pekingese view of China

The original post is from Doubban and Hecaitou. But Hecaitou's link seems to be dead now and Douban harmonized. You can click this blog to see the mainland China collections.