Oh Canada...... Oh Canada......

Team USA entered the GM place Sunday night, donning their 1960 replica sweaters in hopes of capturing some of the magic that led them to their last victory over their North American rivals fifty years ago. Facing a star studded Canadian roster and a crowd that looked more like the Red Sea, team USA did what most thought to be improbable if not impossible and toppled the hockey giant 5-3.

The looks on the faces of the Canadian hopeful when Kesler extended to tap in the empty netter in the waning seconds of the game, says it all. This team, this game are what Canada is all about and as you can imagine there are a lot of uneasy canucks in Vancouver analyzing what went wrong and what they can do to improve from here. Hey Einsteins! here's a thought...there just happens to be a guy sitting on your bench who within the past two nhl seasons has been a key element in seven, count em seven playoff series victories complimented by two game seven wins that featured stoning Alex Ovechkin on a clean break away and denying Lidstrom in the final seconds of the Stanley Cup Finals. You want to talk about big game ability, Luongo is not a name that comes to mind, on the other hand Fleury has made winning big games a hobby of his, and no one should no that better than Canadian coach Mike Babcock. regardless of the daunting argument for Fleury, team Canada will opt to go with Luongo who hasn't won a big game in....well his entire career he is 11-11 in playoff appearances with only two series victories.

Whatever Canada decides to do they will remain a force in this tournament, and whoever they go with between the pipes, he will still be better off than his opponent who will have the responsibility of taming Sidney Crosby and Canada's potent offensive attack. Canada's loss Sunday is a minor setback and nothing more, look for Canada to eliminate Russia en route to the gold medal game...Perhaps a rematch with team USA...USA...USA!

Raise The Jolly Rog.......er how bout the Stanley Cup Banner Instead!

Friday night, at a sold out Mellon Arena, surrounded by fans who gathered around her as she got ready to host her final season opener, we all watched as a third Stanley Cup Championship banner was raised into her historic rafters. It was truly a night to be remembered, (almost as fun as watching Sid raise the Cup and skate around Joe Louis arena, while those octopi throwing bastards watched in angst.) Not only was it such a meaningful night for the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, but it also saw your Penguins kick off their defense of the cup in impressive fashion.

What better way to start off the season then to have the Penguins, and arguably the world's two best, tickle the twine. Evgeni Malkin redirected one by Rangers net minder Ryan Lundqvist in the early going, and Sir Sidney found the crease at the 12:25 mark of the second period. Tyler Kennedy added what proved to be the game winner only a minute and eight seconds after Sid struck, but the game could have swung the Rangers direction at the 16:44 mark of the second period if not for the robbery, no felony, Marc -Andre Fleury committed when he went from post to post to snag what looked to be the tying tally flashing the glove we've all come to know in love in the steel tahn.

The Penguins big three all showed up on the score sheet that night, but more importantly the whole unit looked as if last seasons work was not done. The Penguins continued their fine efforts in Saturdays 4-3 OT win in the Island lifting the Penguins record to 2-0 and shaping the beginnings of another successful campaign.

All in all the boys in black and gold have looked good out of the gate. Can they repeat? Winning the Cup twice in a row is quite a task for any team, but if anyone out there thinks it's a stretch for the Penguins, I would advise you look into the eyes of the man wearing the C.