Goodness Gracious Sakes Alive!!!

That is the phrase that former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden (a noted non-profanity user,which I am surely not!) used when he was really mad and his players knew that the storm clouds have arrived and all was about to break loose.

Well,I try to keep the profanity to a minimum,but in order to do so and yet get across the frustration that I felt last night watching the Devils walk the plank in Pittsburgh in a 6-1 loss to the Penguins-GOODNESS GRACIOUS SAKES ALIVE!!!!
After all the talk from the Devils and Brent Sutter about the importance of this game and then to come out that flat???
I pride myself in watching the games no matter the result,so that I can be as accurate as possible for this site,but last night was closest that I have been to just saying that this is a total waste of my time.

Brian Gionta's first period goal (19) was the only tally that avoided the shutout.
The Devils host Tampa tomorrow night and that looms very large,as a home loss to the lowly Lightning could send things spiralling out of control.

Hell Raisers

1) Brent Sutter's second intermission tirade was directed at Pittsburgh's Hal Gill after Gill came off the bench at the end of the period and confronted David Clarkson,who committed the sin of touching Sidney Crosby.
Clarkson was on the ice at the periods conclusion and Gill skated over to Clarkson,which should have been an unsportsmanlike penalty.
It wasnt called and Sutter exploded.
Of course ,the poor play likely lit the fuse of the coach,but the officials missed the call.....

2) The Devils will honor Martin Brodeur with a short ceremony before tomorrow's game against the Lightning,but Kevin Weekes will start in net.
Hopefully,the seldom-used Weekes can help get the ship straightened out and into smoother waters...

3) Patrik Elias missed his second game and will sit against Tampa as well.
Elias is suffering from some muscle issues in his legs.

4) The Devils hold a six point lead in the Atlantic Division with five games to play.
Six points over that stretch would give the Devils the title no matter what the chasing teams do in their remaining games.
Hard to believe that the Atlantic championship was almost a foregone conclusion a week ago.
No longer.

5) Only David Clarkson's pummeling of former Devil Bill Guerin could be considered a bright spot on this dismal evening.
After the failed attempt by Hal "long stick"Gill to battle Clarkson failed,Guerin took his shot in the third.
Guerin was once an underrated scrapper in his day,but that day has passed.

Bonus Round
The slug at the top is not a Devil player,just a general opinion of their recent play.


Bullpen Notes

Looks like the final spot in the Pirate bullpen will go to either Jesse Chavez or Evan Meek.
Sean Burnett,Craig Hansen and Donald Veal were told that they had made the roster that will go north.
All three must clear waivers in order to be sent to Indianapolis,so they were in pretty good shape.
Burnett might make it through waivers,but Veal would have to be offered back to the Cubs as a Rule 5 pick (they would likely reclaim him from a division rival) and would still have to clear,if the Cubs passed and Hansen would probably be claimed causing a PR hit since he was just acquired last season in the Jason Bay deal.

The Hagerstown Suns announced an exclusive deal with Coca Cola to be the provider of soft drinks at the Muni for the next two seasons.
Not good for me,as I prefer Mountain Dew,(Pepsi product),but that type of thing can never please everyone....

Donte' Stallworth was charged with DUI manslaughter for his incident in Florida that resulted in the death of a pedestrian.
Stallworth now is reported to be already entered in the NFL's substance abuse program.
This means that even if Stallworth avoids jail time,he will still face sanctions from the league.
Can the Browns please cut ties with this guy now???

Back tomorrow
Slug:Mark Bonnington
Mountain Dew:Unknown