Penguins Paparazzi: Fun with the Pens!

(& WBS Penguins)

Hello PensBurgh Friends!!

Let's face it, it's been a rough and tough, injury-suspension-bar-fight-brawl kind of week. I am happy to be bringing you an entire post filled with things to entertain and make you smile (I hope!). I was super happy when the Monster Jam rolled into the Consol Energy Center  this week, because I knew that the Penguins would be reporting to the Iceoplex @ Southpointe for some open practices. I was thrilled that there were 3 open scheduled practices this week. I didn't know quite what the mood would be, considering nearly half of our active roster was either suspended or injured and the dreaded 'trade deadline' was rapidly approaching. I was more pleasantly surprised than ever to witness some of the most funny and heartwarming moments EVER to occur at the Iceoplex.

Read on for more info on the FUN after the jump!

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Hello Penguins fans!

Since I have been asked a few times lately about my meetings with the man of the defensive hour, Kristopher Letang. In order to increase the positive energy for Tanger in his NHL All-Star debut, here is a rundown of the brief moments I have spent with him... I can't say enough about his work ethic he shows at practice and his kindness he shows to fans. Meeting him has only increased my respect for him. He's a great hockey player and a wonderfully beautiful human. :) Here's the scoop:

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Penguins Paparazzi: HBO & Staal Edition

HELLO to all my lovely Pensburgh-ers!

I hope everyone is having a great holiday season, and are ready for an awesome 2011!! I was super excited about the Penguins practice at the Iceoplex @ Southpointe this morning! Like all of you, I have been enamored with the HBO series 24/7: Road to the Winter Classic. I was thrilled that there was another open practice where they would be filming. And apparently, so are a ton of other fans, because the turnout to watch practice was bigger than I have ever seen before. Standing room only, and even then it was 3 rows deep!

Even after a loss last night, with the help of a super loud crowd, ENERGY was super HIGH! Flower even peeked out the door before practice began to get a look at the huge group of fans! Good thing we came early, or little 5'2" me, would have been out of luck with the viewing area! With all the hype surrounding the Winter Classic, it was even better than the "playoff atmosphere" of years before! A great practice, and it was great to see all the families making the most of their holiday vacation, taking there kids to see the fabulous Pittsburgh Penguins up close & personal!

From Penguins Practice with HBO Before the Winter Classic

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The Penguins Paparazzi made it on HBO's 24/7 Road to the Winter Classic!! If you blink, you miss us... so I took a screen shot to prove it!!

Haha :)

I know you all loved the show as much as I did! I have watched it 4 times already! I actually ordered HBO at midnight last night because I couldn't stand missing out on the show. Best decision ever. Best show ever.

It was super cool to watch them film, even better to see we were in a shot!

From 2010-12-17 HBO 247

We are in the The Iceoplex@Southpointe segment, during the first episode, right @ minute 35!!  We are both obviously in full paparazzi mode, with cameras in front of our faces... I'm in my pink jacket...

XOXO Penguins Paparazzi

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Penguins Paparazzi: I <3 Winter Practices!!!

Hello PensBurgh friends!!

I was super excited to see that the Penguins were in the giving mood this holiday season, and provided us fans with several open practices. The Iceoplex @ Southpointe hosted several days of practice in the past few weeks. I love these Winter practices because the players are in the swing of the season, drills are conducted super high energy, and the people that attend are true Penguins fanatics. These are times when memories can be made with some of the best athletes in the NHL. I become enthralled with the experience, and I am so happy to share my encounters with you guys!

From Penguins Practice @ Iceoplex

You gotta love the focus in their eyes... :)

My Latest Penguins Paparazzi Photos:

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Penguins Paparazzi: Dick's Winter Classic Store Edition

If you are anything like me, you can't get enough of upcoming EPIC 2011 Bridgestone Winter Classic. I was so excited when I stumbled across the temporary Dick's Sporting Goods: Official Winter Classic Store downtown. I hadn't even heard about this Penguins oasis, so I was eager to share it with my PensBurgh friends!

This place is like a toy store for Penguins fans anxiously awaiting January 1, 2011. SO worth the trip.

Dick's Official Winter Classic store is open 7 days a week through December! They have tons of the new Winter Classic jerseys, in many sizes and players! In Pittsburgh Strip District, right by Heinz History Center. It's OPEN 8-7 every day, Sunday 8-5! This place is FANTASTIC! Everything you ever dreamed of with the sweet WC logo is here. And who can resist this picture of Sidney beckoning you to spend all your cash inside those magical doors...

From Dick's Official Winter Classic Store

From Dick's Official Winter Classic Store

Located right by the Heinz History Center, Strip District.

From Dick's Official Winter Classic Store

From Dick's Official Winter Classic Store

Ton of selection, plenty of SMALL Sizes for us ladies! I purchased my #58 Kris Letang jersey right off the rack. #ihearttanger

From Dick's Official Winter Classic Store

From Dick's Official Winter Classic Store

Bleh... Yes, You can even buy Capitals merchandise, if you so choose. Although I don't expect many sales until the day of the game.

From Dick's Official Winter Classic Store

Obscure Penguins beads. I wasn't aware there was flashing involved in this event, especially when snow is likely. I guess , you never can be too prepared with a gift that truly says 'Thank you'.

From Dick's Official Winter Classic Store

Ew, plenty of Ovie.

From Dick's Official Winter Classic Store

This temporary location will be open until the New Year's Day. It will be moved to a temporary mobile location closer to Heinz Field on game day. Unsold merchandise will be shipped to surrounding Dick's Stores.

From Dick's Official Winter Classic Store

XOXO

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Penguins Paparazzi:

Pre-Western Road Trip Practice @ Iceoplex - 11/2/2010

 Hello MY Beloved PensBurgh Friends!

 I bring you all the newest edition of Penguins Paparazzi! Actually it’s more like a post and a half, covering 2 different days of practice. I was so excited to see the Guins scheduled 5 practices @ the Iceoplex this month. Thank goodness the Circus came to town and booted them out of the CEC. I am always happy to catch up with my favorite hockey team, and there is no better place to get an up-close look at the best team in the NHL, than the Iceoplex.

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Hey Hey Penguins Fans!

Like all of you, I am SUPER HAPPY the Penguins are back in action! I was so psyched when I saw they were headed back to the Iceoplex @ Southpointe for some training camp practice. The Pens held open practices Sunday 9/26 & Monday 9/27/2010, and they were bouncing anxiously behind the rink doors, awaiting the Zamboni drivers to finish cleaning the ice. Energy was super high, these were 2 days of guys scratching and clawing for open positions. The guys are giving it all they have, and it was sure fun to watch! Mad Max was first out on the ice, greeted by cheers and applause, he smiled and waved at the crowd.

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Hello fellow hockey fans!!!

I have some more inside information for my Pens fanatics! After a fantastic shutout against the Boston Bruins last night, the Pens were back at practice in Southpointe today... They seemed energized and excited. There was extra madness today because hockey equipment giant, Reebok was in the building. It was a beautiful day in Pittsburgh, and the boys were feeling good... Goalie Brent Johnson dropped the top of his Jaguar and Marc-Andre Fleury was feeling flashy, fresh from his 16th career shutout last night. His choice of vehicle, was a BEAUTIFUL steel-colored  Lamborghini...

• Evgeni Malkin #71 practiced with the team today after missing last nights game from a foot injury gained by a flying puck. He seemed back to normal, practicing and showing signs of chemistry with new line-mate Alexei Ponikarovsky #23. Geno was the first one to leave the ice. So maybe he may not have been totally healed...
  
• The traditional end-of-practice shootout drill came down to our captain Sidney Crosby #87 and defenseman Kris Letang #58. It was the beautiful Kristopher that lost the shootout, destined to perform some mundane duty for the team... I am just glad it wasn't the first practice of the month, because I don't think a mustache would compliment his look... ;p
• Kris Letang & Max Talbot #25 were the last two on the ice today. They partnered for some shooting drills, and Max dazzled a handful of fans with a stick handling demonstration, which I caught on video and will upload soon! He is the Superstar!! He basks in the spotlight, no matter what the situation. He celebrated his successful drill with the few fans that were left watching, doing a solo celebration dance and acknowledging the cheers of the TRULY dedicated fans that stayed just to watch him skate. He left me with the feeling I had just been a part of something and was totally appreciated. Thanks Max!
• Sidney Crosby #87 is the face of hockey. That has never been so obvious especially since his gold medal for Canada in the Olympics and his fantastic time with Lord Stanley with Pittsburgh... But for me, seeing the large productiion around him today, completely put it in perspective. His biggest endorsement comes from Reebok and they were at the Iceoplex today shooting a commercial in and around the locker room. There were movie trailers, craft services mobile, constant traffic of grips, assistants, fans, wires and cameras. All for our own Sid. The fact that Reebok chose to bring all its crew and cameras and sets to to Southpointe, was surprising enough. Let's just say it was a little chaotic. On top of all that, there was a cat show/convention setting up in the indoor field next to the rink.
• Bonus: While waiting for Sid to finish his commercial shoot, we went fishing for autographs. We had fantastic luck, meeting the newest addition to the Pens, Alexei Ponikarovsky for the first time. I had a minute with Coach Disco Dan Bylsma when he complimented me on the Igloo photo I took and was having signed. He is always super kind, and takes the time to look you in the eye while having a conversation. Also got autographs for the dapper Brent Johnson, Mike Rupp in his ginormous Ford truck, Chris Kunitz, Ruslan Fedotenko, Craig Adams, Alex Goligoski... Sid left around 4:15 sporting his Reebok gear, and happily carrying a handful of brand new sticks. He quickly signed a dozen or so autographs, as he was driving away, for the 35 people that waited for over 2 hours to see him. It wasn't the most legible signature, but at least I have a scribble and a photo of him as proof of meeting!
  

It was a beautiful day for hockey!

Hello Hockey Fans!!

Just a little insider information for all my fellow die-hard Pens fanatics. After a day off, the Pens were back on the ice today. This was the first practice since their win against Tampa Bay Lightning and was the stopping point on the way back to the airport for the NJ Devils game tomorrow. This practice was a little more serious than some I have seen. Seems like the boys are strapping in, the playoffs close enough to smell... The players seemed focused and driven.

3/16/10 - Penguins Practice: My notes & thoughts:

• We were anxious to see who showed up for this morning's open practice held in Southpointe @ the Iceoplex. After Evgeni Malkin #71 went down last night and didn't return for the end of the game, I didn't expect to see him skate... and he didn't. But Geno was spotted in the passenger seat of his Porsche at the end of practice, probably there to meet up with the team for their trip to New Jersey. With Geno out, Coach Disco Dan was trying some new line combination's...
• Most notably the first line now being Ponikarovsky-Crosby-Dupuis... Which I LOVE, because I love Dupuis is on such a hot streak. He's always one of the first on the ice at practice which shows great work ethic. And he deserves all the good things that are happening right now. I see him consistently signing autographs for fans, and when I met him looked me straight in the eye and genuinely thanked ME for being there and supporting them. Truly an awesome guy, and I can't wait to see how that front line works with the new Poni Express... Second line shapes up Kunitz-Staal-Guerin and Third line is Cooke-Kennedy-Fedotenko. I like this shake-up... I think the Penguins will make lemonade from the "Geno's Out" lemons... We will see...
  
• Eric Godard #28 aka Godsy, Godzilla skated with the team today. Returning from a groin injury he got back in January. He seemed to be happy and healthy, maybe a tad bit faster than I remember. Also noted, I was looking at Godard today, with his longer, even more shaggy hair poking out from under that helmet, I couldn't stop singing to myself "On the wings of love..." Either that, or the theme song to Renegade...:) I love Godsy, he is awesome... He may not be the star of the team, or even play every game, but he seems to really be a GOOD guy. Especially considering he's not only the bruiser but he also won the award from his teammates last year honoring him as the most charitable player. Plus, most of the time he is happy to sign autographs for fans, so I respect him for several reasons. I am thinking he may play in one of the upcoming back to back games.
• The team always participates in a shoot out drill at the end of every practice. The loser, who is the one who is last to score a goal against Fleury or Johnson. Shoot out drill came down to the man on the hot streak, our own Super Duper Pascal Dupuis #9 and the face of hockey Sidney Crosby #87. After a couple of rounds, Sid scored leaving Dups to claim the title of Juice Boy, or whatever "Boy" duty was assigned to the loser. Side note: The infamous "Mustache boy" shootout is usually held at the first practice of the month.
• Another Shootout side note: We are seeing more of Jordan Leopold #4  aka Mr. Awesome's personality with every passing day. The defenseman who had previously told us "I AM Awesome!!!" scored relativaly early in the shootout and celebrated by spinning his stick and placing it in an imaginary holster on his hip... Kudos for originality.
• Of course I am happy to report Sidney Crosby seemed to be skating unscathed from that nasty wrestling move of a hit from Downie. I think we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief. He was skating around in his bliss as usual, spent some time talking one on one with each of the coaches, and worked with Kris Letang #58 on some shooting drills... He is looking great. I really feel like he is about to do some more spectacular things in the coming games... You can tell his energy is high and he is ready and focused on the goal at hand...
• Also, the Penguins started freezing the pucks, today, literally. They had frost on them. Don't know why they don't refrigerate them as they do in games all the time, but today they did. That must be the Penguins mean business ;)
• Matt Cooke #24 seems to be holding back with his crazy antics at practice. Although his spirits seem high, I am still waiting on his jokester ways to come back to light since all the controversy with the hits. I guess its all well considering if he's probably just been told to lay low...
• Marc-Andre Fleury #29 spent some quality time with a tiny little goaltender. A boy about 4 named Christian was given a stick by Flower. He even took the time to take his photo with the boy right off the ice, in all his pads. After practice he stopped to sign the goalie stick for the kid. I thought it was super nice and it made the kid's day... Flower is always giving back to his fans. I have seen him stay for almost an hour signing for people and posing for photos, even with his father in the passenger seat! I can't say enough nice things about Fleury. He has signed jerseys and photos for us and is one of the players that will really have a conversation with you. Always the Smiling Flower.

Bonus - Even though the boys were all dressed up in their designer duds and on the way to the airport, Several players stopped to give us autographs!! Chris Kunitz #14, Brent Johnson #1, Marc-Andre Fleury #29, & Alex Goligoski #3!

It was a "Great Day for Hockey"!!

Hello HOCKEY FANS!!

I have been attending some of the Penguins open practices for a couple of years now, and I always take a ton of photos & have great stories to tell about the players with inside info.... My boyfriend and I lovingly call ourselves "Hockey Nerds" and we love to surround ourselves with as much Pittsburgh Penguins as we possibly can…So I decided to start sharing all the great stories with the people who REALLY care, my fellow die hard Pens fans that surf the net daily... I look forward to posting more stories in the future!

3/5/10 - Penguins Practice: My notes & thoughts:

Hot from their WIN in MSG against the Rangers last night, the Pens practiced today...It was as Blysma call is a "light practice" that was only about half an hour ... 

The BIG News

*Alexei Ponikarovsky #23 (has been called "Poni Express") made his debut to his new Penguin fans in practice this morning at the Iceoplex... Delayed slightly from a work Visa issue... He was third out on the ice today, and is hard to miss at 6'4" 229 lbs... Former member of Toronto Maple Leafs and recently traded to the Penguins...And in my opinion, could be Ken doll's doppelgänger :) The ladies are sure to love him :) He is a huge presence on the ice, and has a hell of a power shot. I can't wait to see him in this weekend's games, because he seems to be a great addition to the team. 

*Penguins General Manager Ray Shero was in the building today. I assume he was there to welcome Alexi. In the 15 or so times I have been to watch practice, I have never once seen him there. So I am guessing the Poni Express is a big deal to the franchise...

*Penguins other new player attained before the NHL Trade Deadline was defenseman Jordan Leopold #4 from the Calgary Flames. He's no string bean either, @ 6'1" & 200lbs. He seems to be quite confident as well, after practice when a fan said "Welcome to Pittsburgh! You are an awesome addition to the team!" Leopold replied with a chuckle "I AM awesome!" It seems like he has a fun personality, I think will mesh well with the rest of the Pens...

*Billy Guerin #13 did not practice today with the team. This is more than likely due to the back spasms that kept him out of the game last night...

*Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Brooks Orpik did not practice today either, I assume they were doing media interviews... Although I spotted Sid signing some autographs for fans after practice, and Geno before practice throwing pucks towards the goal from off the ice... I wondered if he had some superstition about scoring goals in practice, so he had to chuck some rubber between the pipes before he could begin his rewarded free time...

*Marc-Andre Fleury #29 must have broken his neck guard today, because it dangled from his goalie mask... I also noticed that Flower is still wearing his rubber finger brace. I wonder if the fractured left ring finger is still giving him issues... Also, considering Fleury was pulled from last nights game against the Rangers and was visibly upset, he was his normal smiley self, horsing around with other players and was super nice to us, signing an 8x10 photo of himself with the Stanley Cup... Flower has got to be one of the friendliest guys out there. He'll look you in the eye and have a conversation, he THANKS YOU for supporting them and is always gracious, and he makes every fan feel important and appreciated individually. In the 2 years I have been going to practices, I have seen him stay for almost an hour signing autographs for people. So for the critics doubting his mental state after the Olympics and one bad game, let me assure you he is is normal happy go lucky self... He is Mr.Bounceback... and you can tell he is focused on the future, not his mistakes. I personally get physically upset for Marc-Andre when he "let some soft one's in"... I feel for him more because he is such a genuinely nice guy.

And last, but most comical…

*Jokester Matt Cooke #24 made us all laugh today when he was chipping pucks at the glass of Jay's (bar &grill overlooking practice ice), aiming at 2 unsuspecting female diners... Hilarity ensues when the patrons nearly spill their drinks as they jolt in reaction to the puck slamming off the glass right by their heads... Best part is, Cooke is a pro at skating off all nonchalant to the other side of the rink, acting innocent until a few minutes later when he recreates the lady's reaction in the corner for other chuckling players…

BONUS - * I did get to have a little quality time with Kris Letang #58 today! He took the time to take a photo with me after practice, he even got out of his cute little BMW to pose with me! It was a fantastic day to wear my #58 jersey! The players have all been so nice to us! Today we lucked out with autographs from Marc-Andre Fleury, Matt Cooke, Max Talbot, Jay McKee, Brent Johnson, Pascal Dupuis, Jordan Leopold, Alex Goligoski & Sidney Crosby !!! So grateful my Pens are so kind to their fans!!

 Love it! Look forward to more inside Penguins practice tidbits!

This was my video of NHL Pittsburgh Penguins practice at the Iceoplex 2/24/09. Geno was hitting pucks into the crowd after practice, which I am sure is frowned upon, since it is a liability from hell... but the crowd was loving it as he dribbled the puck on his stick and launched it right in my direction.

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