There was something that just wasn't right about yesterday's game one. I'm going to blame NBC Sports as there is still a sour taste left in all of our mouths for blacking out the big screen, aka the TribTron.

Perhaps blame isn't the best word, but it's the most appropriate at this point. When the Pens play and coverage falls upon the entire nation via NBC, there is always an extra element of wonder that makes us fans wince. Don't get me wrong, it's great to see the Pens get country-wide coverage and there is a lot of ritz and glamour to the broadcast, but as a hometown fan, the game is all that really matters.
Maybe its day games in general, but the Pens are quasi-cursed on NBC.

With games 2 and 3 scheduled to air on the Versus network, we are on our way back to hockey reality. NHL on Versus is well produced and does a good job of balancing the flash with raw sports coverage. Versus keeps NHL games true to the roots from the days of Canadian OLN. I would certainly prefer Versus coverage to NBC any day of the week. Not to mention, we steer clear of the Pen's NBC Curse and of course, Mr. Obvious, Pierre McGuire...

While FSN Pittsburgh will always be the hometown network (games 4 and on for round 2), and my personal favorite broadcast, Versus is doing some cool things to get involved with the NHL community. For instance, it was pretty cool to see that they will be sponsoring the Second Pens Tweetup during game 5.






Some recent Tweets regarding TV coverage:

@deberito - "I just think we should be able to watch the game outside the arena. Builds team spirit & community. Win, Win. Versus better."
@svanormer - "Unfortunately for me stuck in Caps land that means FSN will be blocked out. I see Pens Radio DVR sync up in my future"
@erinkpgh - "Usually if the game is on Fox Sports the Versus feed is blacked out. So don't pick that if you're in Pittsburgh."
@AxsDeny - "Game 1: NBC. The site says games 2 & 3 are Versus. I have to set my TiVo because I'll be out of town. FSN or Versus DVR?"
@Choesephine - "NBC can kiss my Korean ass"

I Bleed Black n' Gold is happy to announce that the IBBnG Pens Blog is now glad to be part of SportsBlogNet! You may or may not be familiar with SportsBlogNet and the idea behind the network. The basic principle is simple, aggregate quality sports content making it easy for users to get their fill and find new sources. IBBnG will be a part of the network, hopefully providing Pens and Pittsburgh fans the news, entertainment and insight they search for along with some of the other great Pens Blogs out in the blogosphere. In our continuing effort to interact and be a part of this great community, we are excited to expand to the SBN platform.

Evgeni Malkin scored what was arguably the best looking goal during Sunday's All-Star Game. Geno tried quite a few times to set up some drop passes and spin-o-ramas, but this was the only one that came to fruition.  

As of today (12/16) at 9:00 a.m. the Pens appear to be holding strong in the forwards ballot. It looks as though the Habs dirty, ill-fated attempts to spam the voting still weren't enough to disguise the two best forwards in the East, and maybe league overall (depending on who you ask).

The goalies spot for the Eastern conference is still attainable. Let's get the Flower the start! Even though he's been out with the groin injury, he still has time to prove himself to the rest of the hockey community...even though we already know he deserves it.

See up to the minute results at the official Allstar Game Results Page and be sure to vote while you're there. If you haven't signed up yet...What are you waiting for? This could be electoral history, imagine Sid, Geno and M.A.F. on collectors plates, coins and god knows whatever else they've thrown Obama's pic on to swindle folks out of their cash. Seriously though, let's stick it to the Habs fans guys and get the Pens the respect they deserve.