YinzPitt

I know I know, this title doesn’t make sense because the site is actually called YinzPitt, and this site reports news.  This is my personal vendetta against all “Yinzer” types in the media that continually report sports articles that have no bearing on anything, other than to fuel the “Yinzer” associated minds out there.   We’ll use the Pens game as an example.  Last night, the Pens played the Capitals, and lost in a shoot-out.

The game was as close to play-off atmosphere as you can get, and both teams were playing very well.  Both teams had a lot of chances, both teams hit hard, and so on.  Fleury played some of the best hockey he’s played in awhile, in fact I’d like to say he only gave up one real goal, as the two that happened in the third period were the results of a short handed goal for the Caps, and a good screen job on the 3rd goal.  Neither of which could be prevented by Fleury.

So typically, what does the media do today?  Blame Fleury mostly.  The last time I checked, the game was played by a whole team, and also the last time I checked, he made some great saves last night to keep the Pens IN the game rather than out of it.  However though, Rob Rossi felt the need to publicly say on 93.7 The Fan this morning that Fleury should of stopped those shots.

Nevermind the fact that Semin turned Goligoski inside out while Letang stood there, and just look away at the fact on the 3rd goal that Fleury can’t clear out the defensive zone in front of him.  To paraphrase what Rossi said:

“Oh we lost the game last night because Fleury HAS to make those saves!  It’s just unacceptable!”

Sure thing Rossi, just cater to that belief that it was one person who cost the Pens the game.  Should we blame Crosby for the errant cross ice pass on the ever so mediocre(that’s being nice) powerplay?  No.  Or how about the fact that the defense hasn’t helped Fleury with clearing people out of the net?  No.  It’s a team effort, and a team loss.  There simply is no need to blame anyone, unless it was a Bill Buckner type play.  It’s just frustrating to see that happen, especially with the NHL.  It happens with football and the Steelers all the time, because it’s more magnified.

Just don’t ruin hockey and media’s perception that it’s a singular player doing all the work.  It’s not, it’s 6 guys on the nice working as a team constantly.  It only stops for short breaks, and it’s fast paced, so even the smallest mistakes happen.  That’s why momentum is involved.

I guess I’m just frustrated with the Bob Smizik’s(Who I thought was retired), the Rob Rossi’s who take the far aggressive approach when it comes to poor play…like he did this morning, and the Ron Cook’s who just recently started covering hockey because it’s “popular now.”

This whole Yinzer mentality is frustrating if you’re a sports fan.  I deal with a lot of people who can’t understand that other teams out there are just as GOOD as the Pens and Steelers.

Marc-André Fleury, Goalie for the Penguins