Connect with us

Pittsburg, PA

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

Published

on

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)

Advertisement

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 28th of the year in just his 60th appearance, establishing a new career high in goals.

Advertisement

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.”

Advertisement

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.”

Advertisement



Source link

Pittsburg, PA

Blanche says DOJ

Published

on

Blanche says DOJ


Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Tuesday that the Justice Department is not moving forward with its $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund that has become a major obstacle to the GOP agenda in Congress.

“We are not moving forward with the fund. Period,” he told lawmakers on the House Appropriations Committee.



Source link

Continue Reading

Pittsburg, PA

Luke Bryan concert expected to bring thousands of fans to Pittsburgh-area farm

Published

on

Luke Bryan concert expected to bring thousands of fans to Pittsburgh-area farm


On Sept. 17, multi-platinum country music star Luke Bryan will bring his Farm Tour to 1846 Farms near Latrobe.

Westmoreland County is no stranger to large outdoor concerts. Some may remember the Rolling Rock Town Fair in the early 2000s, while others may recall Luke Bryan’s stop at a farm in South Huntingdon Township just two years ago. Now the country music superstar is returning to the area.

The Unity Township farm’s general manager, Aleisha Stas, gave KDKA a tour of the family farm, which dates back to before the Civil War. She says Bryan’s team first reached out after finding the farm on social media, but she says at first, she and her family thought it was too good to be true.

“This was around April Fools, so we thought it was an April Fools prank,” Stas said. “My whole family, we were like, there’s no way this is about to happen. But this has been incredible.”

Advertisement

Stas says Bryan’s team is handling everything logistically from parking and bathrooms to deciding exactly where the concert will be staged.

“If we have it on this side of the property, we can hold 12,000 people,” Stas said. “And if we have it on (the other side) of the property, it can be up to 20,000. But we have not determined that yet.”

Many of those decisions will be made as September gets closer. In the meantime, however, the farm is holding off on planting in certain fields until the final concert location is selected.

And while hosting thousands of people may sound a little intimidating, Stas says her family is excited to welcome fans to the farm for what they hope will be a memorable night.

“Obviously, we’ve never had this many people here before, so it will be a new thing for all of us, but we are not worried,” said Stas. “Luke Bryan’s team are experts with this, and I think it will go great.”

Advertisement

Tickets for this concert are currently on sale, and they will run you about $77 per person, plus tax for general admission.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Pittsburg, PA

2025 Steelers Offseason Recall: Garrett shutdown as Pittsburgh bullied Browns in Week 6 | Steel City Underground

Published

on

2025 Steelers Offseason Recall: Garrett shutdown as Pittsburgh bullied Browns in Week 6 | Steel City Underground


Steel City Underground presents post-game takeaways in our Steelers Offseason Recall series, revisiting key moments from the 2025 season and how they shaped the year that followed.

AFC North football rarely looks pretty, and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 6 matchup against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium followed that familiar formula. What started as a defensive slugfest on a torn-up field eventually turned into another frustrating afternoon for Cleveland as Pittsburgh pulled away for a 23-9 victory.

The win improved the Steelers to 4-1 and extended their remarkable regular season home winning streak against the Browns to 22 games. More importantly, it reinforced an early-season identity centered around disruptive defense, efficient quarterback play, and winning the battle in the trenches.

Advertisement

Looking back, these were the biggest surprises from Pittsburgh’s victory.

Embed from Getty Images

Jalen Ramsey stole the show from Watt and Garrett

Nobody expected Jalen Ramsey to leave Week 6 with more sacks than T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett combined, but that’s exactly what happened.

Ramsey entered the game after missing practice time earlier in the week and proceeded to deliver one of the more unexpected stat lines of the season. The veteran defensive back recorded two sacks and six combined tackles while frequently helping confuse Cleveland’s protection schemes.

Meanwhile, Watt recorded half a sack while Garrett failed to register one entirely.

Ramsey even admitted afterward that the performance surprised him. His production highlighted an emerging trend within Pittsburgh’s defense: pressure was coming from everywhere.

Advertisement

Embed from Getty Images

The Steelers defense overwhelmed Cleveland’s offense

While Ramsey grabbed headlines, the collective defensive effort suffocated Cleveland for most of the afternoon.

The Steelers finished with six sacks as Nick Herbig led the team with two sacks while Ramsey added two of his own. Derrick Harmon, Watt, and Alex Highsmith also got involved as Pittsburgh repeatedly collapsed the pocket around rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

Gabriel never looked comfortable. The rookie completed 29 of 59 passes for 221 yards and struggled once Cleveland became one-dimensional after falling behind. He finished with a passer rating of 66.3 while absorbing constant punishment.

Pittsburgh didn’t rely solely on edge pressure either. Defensive backs blitzed, interior rushers collapsed protection, and disguised looks forced Cleveland into mistakes.

Perhaps equally impressive was how the Steelers handled Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins. Entering the matchup, Judkins had averaged 4.6 yards per carry and looked like one of Cleveland’s few consistent offensive weapons. Pittsburgh erased that advantage, holding him to a season-low 36 rushing yards on 12 carries while limiting him to 3.0 yards per attempt.

Advertisement

Through five games played after their bye week, the Steelers had already amassed 20 sacks and were rapidly becoming one of football’s most disruptive defenses.

Embed from Getty Images

Myles Garrett disappeared

The Browns needed a game-changing performance from Myles Garrett. Instead, Pittsburgh’s offensive line turned in one of its best performances of the season.

Garrett moved around the formation throughout the game, but he spent much of the afternoon lined up across from Broderick Jones. With occasional help early and more one-on-one opportunities later, Jones and company neutralized Cleveland’s biggest defensive weapon.

Garrett finished with only two combined tackles. He failed to record a solo tackle, sack, forced fumble, quarterback hit, or pass defended.

Keeping Garrett quiet fundamentally changed how Cleveland could attack Rodgers and allowed Pittsburgh’s offense to remain balanced throughout the afternoon.

Advertisement

Embed from Getty Images

Rodgers stayed efficient and upright

Aaron Rodgers didn’t deliver a vintage statistical masterpiece: he simply controlled the game.

The veteran quarterback completed 21 of 30 passes for 235 yards while distributing the football efficiently and trusting Arthur Smith‘s offensive approach. Rodgers leaned heavily on his tight ends early before taking advantage of favorable matchups later in the game.

His biggest moments arrived in the second half. Rodgers connected with Connor Heyward for a touchdown strike before finding D.K. Metcalf for another score that helped create separation on the scoreboard.

Equally important, Rodgers stayed upright. For only the second time that season, Pittsburgh allowed zero sacks. Cleveland hit Rodgers only three times despite him attempting 30 passes.

Advertisement

Compare that with Dillon Gabriel, who absorbed six sacks and 16 total quarterback hits.

The offensive line, aided by extra blocking looks featuring Spencer Anderson, kept Cleveland’s front from controlling the game and allowed Rodgers to operate comfortably. Metcalf benefited from the protection, turning four receptions into 95 yards while the Steelers spread touches across Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth, Roman Wilson, Darnell Washington, and Heyward.

Meanwhile, Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, and Kaleb Johnson combined for 89 rushing yards to maintain offensive balance. Pittsburgh averaged 5.8 yards per play and controlled possession despite both teams having the same number of drives.

Embed from Getty Images

The officiating nearly stole the spotlight

Not everything about the victory came without frustration. Ron Torbert’s officiating crew inserted itself into the game repeatedly as Pittsburgh absorbed ten accepted penalties during an afternoon filled with questionable decisions.

Several pass interference rulings frustrated players and fans alike.

Jerry Jeudy appeared to drag Brandin Echols down by both shoulder pads on one play, yet the result went against Pittsburgh. Later, Browns cornerback Denzel Ward appeared to pin D.K. Metcalf’s arm without drawing a flag.

Advertisement

Even Watt found himself repeatedly flagged for alignment penalties despite checking positioning with officials beforehand, leading to visible frustration from Mike Tomlin on the sideline.

The most controversial moment arrived on special teams. Ke’Shawn Williams appeared to spark the crowd with a 47-yard punt return before an illegal blindside block penalty on Jabrill Peppers erased the play. The penalty not only wiped away field position but also backed Pittsburgh up an additional ten yards.

Despite the officiating frustrations, the Steelers remained composed, and by the end of the afternoon, that discipline, paired with suffocating defense and efficient offense, delivered another divisional win and continued building momentum heading into a critical AFC North stretch.





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending