Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburgh's Point Streak Ends in Loss to Boston | Pittsburgh Penguins

Published

2 years ago

April 14, 2024

Pittsburgh's Point Streak Ends in Loss to Boston | Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh’s point streak ended at 10 games (7-0-3) with their 6-4 loss to Boston on Saturday at PPG Paints Arena.

The Penguins moved out of the second Wild Card playoff spot as the Flyers, Red Wings, and Capitals all won. The standings now look like this after the night’s slate of games:

Washington (87 points, 2 games left)

Detroit (87 points, 2 games left)

Philadelphia (87 points, 1 game left)

Pittsburgh (86 points, 2 games left)

“We’ve been playing this type of hockey for a while now and we’ve had to put games behind us pretty quickly, so we have to do the same with this one,” captain Sidney Crosby said. “We got to learn from it. We can’t give up the quality of chances we’re giving up and expect to produce and get points. We just gotta be a little more detailed.”

Michael Bunting scored twice, while Bryan Rust and Drew O’Connor also tallied for Pittsburgh. Alex Nedeljkovic, who had been in net for every game of the team’s run, allowed three goals on 16 shots before getting replaced by Tristan Jarry in the second period. It marked his first game action since March 24 in Colorado.

After a good first period for the Penguins, the Bruins broke the game open in the middle frame with a pair of goals 14 seconds apart. Rust got it back on a beautiful setup from O’Connor, burying his 28^th of the year in just his 60^th appearance, establishing a new career high in goals.

But when Boston made it 3-1 shortly after, that ended Nedeljkovic’s night. “I actually felt fine today. I felt better than I did Thursday night (vs. Detroit),” he said. “Thought it was a pretty good first period, played pretty well. We didn’t give them much. I don’t really know how to explain that one.”

After Brad Marchand got a shorthanded goal to make it 4-1, Bunting got it back on that same power play. With the Penguins on the penalty kill early in the third, O’Connor scored a shorthanded goal on a fantastic individual effort to swing the momentum back on Pittsburgh’s side and bring them within one. But with less than five minutes to play, Morgan Geekie buried a pass with a quick release to make it 5-3 Boston.

“OC got us a big one there, gave us a lot of momentum. I think the fifth one was tough,” Crosby said. “They got a lot of momentum when they got that fifth one. But I felt like we were in it all night.”

Former Penguin Danton Heinen found the empty net with less than three minutes to play before Bunting got his second of the night. Here’s what Head Coach Mike Sullivan had to say after the contest.

Thoughts on the goaltending, and how does that affect your plans in net for the next couple games? “Well, I thought we gave them some pretty high-quality looks. It’s not an easy game to assess goaltending when you give them the type of looks that we did. Ned’s given us some great hockey here. He’s battling hard for us. The decision I made was based on just trying to change momentum for our group, see if it could give us a jolt. It was more about that than anything.”

I know a lot of people are going to speculate that maybe fatigue was an issue because he’s played so much. How much have you had to weigh that the last couple of weeks, given that he has played a lot more in the last couple of weeks than he has all season? “Yeah, I mean, it’s a discussion that we’ve had, and we certainly communicate with Ned. It’s not something that we’re oblivious to, if that’s what you’re asking. He’s reassuring us that he feels good, and he has energy. As I said the other day, he’s a guy that is in incredible shape, because he works as hard as he does. We feel as though he’s been giving us the opportunity to win games, and is deserving of the net. That’s why we made those decisions.”

A lot of the guys in the room were just talking about how all they can focus on is the next game, that’s obviously true. A year ago, a lot of guys in that room were in a situation where they had a playoff spot with a couple of games left and couldn’t close it out. Is there anything to learn from that situation being on the other side, when you’re not as much in control of your destiny? “I just think that the important thing that we have to be aware of and be focused on is the game right in front of us, because that’s really the only thing that we can control. We knew this was a tough stretch. We knew this was gonna be a tough one tonight against one of the best teams in the league. Regardless of where this goes, we still have two more games to play, and that’s how we look at it. So, we’ve got to get some rest here and we’ve got to re-energize for the game on Monday and we’ve got to put our very best game on the ice. Hopefully, we get a favorable result, and then we’ll see where that takes us. But I think that at the end of the day, that’s really the mindset that we have to have. That’s where our focus needs to be.”

The shorthanded goal against, there’s been a number of those this season. Is there any one common theme or thread there as far as why that’s been a common problem? “I think it’s happened a million different ways. But at the end of the day, it boils down to just diligence and being committed to defend.”

I know OC’s goal was in a losing cause and everything, but that’s pretty special stuff, isn’t it? “Incredible goal. I thought OC had a real inspiring effort tonight. He played really hard. That goal was an example of it. It was a great goal, it was a nice play. You see his strength, his skating ability, and his scoring touch. It was a terrific goal. It gave the whole building energy, and the team as well. We talked in between periods about just getting the next goal to get it in striking distance. If we could get up within one goal, we’re right there, and that goal did it for us. We had a lot of momentum after that, so it’s just a terrific goal b

After a really good first period, what maybe changed in the second period that allowed them to get a few: “They’re a good team, and so there’s going to be momentum swings in those types of games when you’re playing good teams. It’s hard to tilt the ice for 60 minutes. You know they’re going to push back. I thought in a couple of instances, we didn’t really make them work hard enough for the goals that they got. One of them was a non-threatening shot from the perimeter. The rebound goes to the scoring area and they get a free look. We gotta get in to people there. We’ve got numbers back, we have to have more of an awareness of the people and circumstances of defending the scoring area. I just didn’t think we made them work as hard as we needed for some of their offense. That’s an area where we have to get better.”

Source link

Pittsburg, PA

Steelers’ Will Howard Gets Shout Out From Top NFL Draft WR

Published

9 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Steelers’ Will Howard Gets Shout Out From Top NFL Draft WR

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are likely one of the teams that will be heavily considering a wide receiver when it comes to their very valuable first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

One of the top options, and considered by many analysts to be the best overall, is Ohio State Buckeye alum Carnell Tate. Tate is a three-year starter at Ohio State, and the top wide receiver selection is likely to be between him and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson.

While at Ohio State, Tate was a teammate of current Steelers backup quarterback Will Howard, and was asked about him during his workout at Ohio State’s Pro Day.

“Oh, Will isn’t giving me no tips. He’s probably going to root for me to come with him to Pittsburgh,” Tate said.

“I’m happy for him. I wish him nothing but the best. Love that guy to death,” Tate also said.

Howard would not be the first person to try to get their former teammate to join them from college to their professional team, with one big example being Derek Carr and Davante Adams a couple years prior.

If Tate were to join the Steelers, he would be the third member of the 2024 Ohio State National Championship-winning team to play for the Steelers simultaneously, with Howard and surging young linebacker Jack Sawyer having played on the Steelers in 2025.

Will Tate Go To Pittsburgh?

Tate is quite unlikely to end up with the Steelers, as he is expected to be among the first players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. With the Steelers having the No. 21 selection, they would need to make a significant trade forward to likely jump into the zone where Tate would be available.

“I think I’m a great football player,” Tate said about going into the NFL. “My speed … the combine is one time, but ultimately I’m a great football player. When you put the pads on, it’s another level.”

Oct 12, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) throws the ball to wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) during the first quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images | Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

They could probably do that, due to the fact that they have 12 selections across the seven rounds. At this point in time, it does not see they love any particular player enough to make that big of a trade up, but trades into the late end of the top ten are quite common. Yet, their move to land Michael Pittman Jr. would make it significantly less likely that they make such a move to get another wide receiver.

While at Ohio State, Tate was always in the top half of their wide receiver room, yet played among some of the most talented wide receivers in recent history in current NFL player Emeka Egbuka and young talent Jeremiah Smith. He finished his final collegiate season with All-Big Ten honors, as well as well as being a second team All-American.

Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter for the latest news and updates on the Pittsburgh Steelers

Source link

Pittsburg, PA

Written off in Pittsburgh: 5 former Steelers looking for redemption in UFL

Published

21 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Written off in Pittsburgh: 5 former Steelers looking for redemption in UFL

Spring football may not carry the same weight as the NFL, but it still offers an opportunity for everyone involved. Fans can satisfy the urge to watch the game they love, while players in the United Football League work to earn another shot at the NFL. No one should expect top-tier play from these teams, but the UFL can still deliver compelling storylines.

Several recognizable names will take the field this spring, including personnel with ties to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

One reason or another, things didn’t work out between the Steelers and these members of the UFL, and that’s why they are attempting a comeback. Pittsburgh either cut them or let them go, and few have heard much from these former members of the Steelers since. The United Football League will see them be thrust back into the spotlight in hopes of landing a shot in an NFL training camp.

Fans will witness several Ex-Pittsburgh Steelers making a comeback in the UFL

Benny Snell Jr., RB, Louisville Kings

The name Benny Snell Jr. has disappeared from football conversations in Pittsburgh since he left the team in 2022. A fourth‑round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Snell never fully found his footing with the Steelers. He was known as a tough, physical runner who could contribute on special teams, but his role in the NFL rarely extended beyond that.

Snell struggled to make a lasting impact in Pittsburgh, and the UFL now offers him a chance to rebuild his reputation and revive his professional prospects.

Todd Haley, OC, Columbus Aviators

It has been nearly a decade since Todd Haley left the Steelers after his stint as offensive coordinator. His last NFL role came in 2018 with the Browns, and since then, his coaching career has taken a winding path that has included high school football and spring league opportunities. Haley’s role with the Aviators could provide him with a chance to re-enter the NFL coaching conversation.

Anthony McFarland Jr., RB, Birmingham Stallions

Many had high expectations for Anthony McFarland Jr. when the Steelers selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. His speed stood out immediately, but he struggled to develop into a complete running back. McFarland now enters his second season in the UFL after a solid stretch of production in 2025. He will need to take the next step and show more consistency this spring.

Tre Norwood, S, Birmingham Stallions

Another United Football League veteran with ties to Pittsburgh is Tre Norwood.

A seventh-round pick by the Steelers in the 2021 NFL Draft, Norwood used his positional flexibility to carve out a role early in his career. He now enters his second season with the Stallions after posting modest production last year. If the versatile defensive back hopes to earn another opportunity in the NFL, he will need to make a stronger impact in 2026, particularly by creating turnovers.

Roc Taylor, WR, Columbus Aviators

Fans were hopeful for Roc Taylor after he signed with the Steelers last year as an undrafted free agent. The wide receiver group on the roster lacked depth at the time, but Taylor was unable to make it through training camp. Despite that setback, his talent remains evident, and the UFL may represent his best path forward. Taylor has a valuable opportunity in front of him to take advantage of.

Source link

Pittsburg, PA

Get PFL Pittsburgh results for the Eblen vs. Battle event Saturday night.

Published

1 day ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Get PFL Pittsburgh results for the Eblen vs. Battle event Saturday night.

MMA Fighting has PFL Pittsburgh results for the Eblen vs. Battle fight card and more from UPMC Events Center in Pittsburgh on Saturday night.

In the main event, former Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen tries to earn another title shot with a win over Bryan Battle, who makes his PFL debut. Eblen (16-1) suffered his first career loss against Costello van Steenis in a PFL title bout in his most recent outing.

Dalton Rosta and Impa Kasanganay clash in a middleweight contest in the co-main event.

Check out PFL Pittsburgh results below.

Main Card (ESPN2 at 10 p.m. ET)

Johnny Eblen vs. Bryan Battle

Dalton Rosta vs. Impa Kasanganay

Ariane Lipski da Silva vs. Sumiko Inaba

Alexei Pergande vs. Julio Arce

Lazaro Dayron vs. Jacob Thrall

Prelims (ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET)

Allan Begosso vs. Jack Cartwright

Natan Schulte vs. Jakub Kaszuba

Robert Watley vs. Dakota Bush