The Woooooo is not over

No, in fact, the "Summer of Wooooo!" (© TPB) has transitioned quite effortlessly into the preseason. Yesterday the Pens hosted their first preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets after only 3 days of training camp, not that that little stat really matters because the Pens are awesome and after their short summer, they are all still in great shape and have been skating anyways. The game was moved up from the original September 18th date on the schedule because of the G-20 Summit being held in the 'Burgh currently.

And oh, what a game it was...

It was exactly what we all had hoped for and better, I think. What a great way to start out the 2009-2010 season. Malkin wasn't even playing in this game (it probably wouldn't have started out the way it did in that senario, of course) and Crosby was trying out a new stick. Some of my favorite prospects, like Eric Tangradi, got a chance to shine with two assists for the night. Crosby had two goals, Chris Connor had a goal with Jay McKee showing how useful he will be to the team this year with an assist, and Chris Kunitz had two goals, one in OT for the win. It was so exciting and it was only a preseason game! The Blue Jackets lead 1-0 in the first period. After the second it was a despairing 3-0 Columbus. However, in the third, everything changed. It was probably one of the most exciting periods I have seen/heard. It was so great getting to listen to Mike Lange and the good ole two-niner after a summer off. Both of Crosby's goals came first off of Tangradi passes followed by Chris Connor's goal to tie the game at 3-3. Then Columbus scores to make it 4-3 with not much time remaining in the period. I think it was under 2 minutes to go at that point. 17 seconds later Chris Kunitz scores to tie the game again at 4-4! Woooooooo! Yeah! The game headed into overtime and 44 seconds in, Chris Kunitz struck again with the game-winner. Pens win 5-4. The hockey withdrawl should be over because preseason is here!

The updated preseason schedule looks like this

Friday Sept. 18 vs. Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

Monday Sept. 21 at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday Sept. 22 at Toronto, 7:00 p.m.

Thursday Sept. 24 at Columbus, 7:00 p.m.

Sunday Sept. 27 at Detroit, 5:00 p.m.

Not too many changes at all, just the one game against Columbus which we won.

Three of the preseason games will be aired on the NHL Network. These are: Sept. 21, 22, and 27. Noticably, the game against Detriot will be the first time the two teams are matched up since the Stanley Cup Final. Should be a good game. (Thanks to Seth at Empty Netters for the info.)

You can also watch Friday's game on the Leafs' Online Network - Leafs TV! (Thanks to Stephanie at Steel City Sports Fan (Penguins Edition) for the info.)