Penguins/Moose Stave Off Elimination

The Pittsburgh Penguins won a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings last night in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals and the Manitoba Moose staved off elimination at the hands of the Hershey Bears in the Calder Cup Finals (Hockey Mom is sensing a zoo theme with all these critter-related teams in the finals).

Penguins' d-man Rob Scuderi momentarily tried his hand at goaltending by kick-saving a last second goal attempt by Detroit's "Mule" Johan Franzen to preserve the win. In a game that saw a lopsided 12 shots on goal for the Pens to the Wings' 3 in the first period, Crosby and pals showed no memory of the 5-0 losing debaucle that was Game 5. In addition to stellar goal tending from Marc-Andre Fleury, the Pens saw fabulous efforts by the likes of Jordan Staal, Brooks Orpik and Scuderi. Plus they did have a few calls in their favor (yes, Bill McCreary - Matt Cooke's hit on Pavel Datsyuk should have been an interference but that's now water under the Mon River bridge).

So Game 7 moves back to Detroit on Friday night in what will prove to be a true-nailbiter for fans of both teams. HM may have to throw up just a little should I have to watch Crosby hoist Lord Stanley's Cup, but on the other hand it would reinforce the lesson I'm always preaching that "anything is possible when you refuse to quit" - which applies to the Pens, our beloved Capitals and of course my kids' youth hockey teams. I admire the grit and determination that the Pens have shown throughout this series, especially after coming back from that ugly Game 5 thumping. That said, I still am not and probably will never be, a big Sid fan - Geno Malkin on the other hand is cool in my book.

Meanwhile down at the farm, the Hershey Bears saw goals last night from Graham Mink and John Carlson but ultimately lost a 3-2 decision in Game 5 of the Calder Cup Finals. The Bears still lead the series 3-2 and will attempt to clinch the title on Moose home ice on Friday.

While we're on the theme of zoo animals, the Philadelphia Flyers might get a little more thugnasty (if that's even possible) as rumor has it that the team is close to signing former Ottawa goalie and poster boy for detention hall, Ray Emery.