John Toperzer: Pens-Soviet Red Army: Back in the USSR It wasn't all that long ago when the NHL playoffs wouldn't have featured stars like Evgeni Malkin and Ilya Kovalchuk

Good stuff John. I got to see the Penguins play Dynamo Moscow at the Igloo in either 86 or 87. Watching the Moscow team weaving back and forth with pinpoint passing was amazing. I seem to remember one jaw dropping play during the game that involved a give and go and 2 drop passes in the span out about 5 seconds. The level of offensive creativity was astounding, even to us Pens fans who were used to watching Mario. I also remember that the game was strongly contested....neither team treated it as a friendly exhibition. The game ended in a 3-3 tie, and the whole building was clamoring for them to play overtime, but it was not to be.

Edit: Gotta love sitting in the second row of the E balcony for $19!!

Good stuff John. I got to see the Penguins play Dynamo Moscow at the Igloo in either 86 or 87. Watching the Moscow team weaving back and forth with pinpoint passing was amazing. I seem to remember one jaw dropping play during the game that involved a give and go and 2 drop passes in the span out about 5 seconds. The level of offensive creativity was astounding, even to us Pens fans who were used to watching Mario. I also remember that the game was strongly contested....neither team treated it as a friendly exhibition. The game ended in a 3-3 tie, and the whole building was clamoring for them to play overtime, but it was not to be.

Edit: Gotta love sitting in the second row of the E balcony for $19!!
- Emperor Filonius

It's hard to believe that talent like Bure, Fedorov, Mogilny weren't in the NHL but it made for anticipated matchups whenever the two sides met. Getting rid of tie games in the NHL is one of the better ideas of the last 20 years, figuring out a better point system for wins and losses would be an improvement in the new CBA, too.

It's hard to believe that talent like Bure, Fedorov, Mogilny weren't in the NHL but it made for anticipated matchups whenever the two sides met. Getting rid of tie games in the NHL is one of the better ideas of the last 20 years, figuring out a better point system for wins and losses would be an improvement in the new CBA, too.
- the-mitch-wilsons

Also from the highlight package...love hearing Gary Thorne doing hockey again. NBCSP needs to find a way to lure him back to do national games.
Also enjoyed seeing the old "Sportchannel America" logo. My brother and I used to joke they should have been called "Sportschannel New York" because it seemed that most of the national games they used to broadcast always involved the Devils, Rangers, or Islanders. (For you young folks, SCA was the 1980's version of Versus). Also, check out how low the camera angles were compared to today's NHL games...

It's hard to believe that talent like Bure, Fedorov, Mogilny weren't in the NHL but it made for anticipated matchups whenever the two sides met. Getting rid of tie games in the NHL is one of the better ideas of the last 20 years, figuring out a better point system for wins and losses would be an improvement in the new CBA, too.
- the-mitch-wilsons

Twas a different world for sure. I still remember when Mogilny defected..lots of cloak and dagger stuff...

great read John

So could you tell at 18-20 that Bure/Mogilny/Fedorov were going to be the stars they were??

great read John

So could you tell at 18-20 that Bure/Mogilny/Fedorov were going to be the stars they were??
- IanEsplen

Wish I had a better answer, but I couldn't tell a Pavel Bure from a Valeri at that time.

As a Pens fan, I was just wishing for Mario to score about 10 goals against the Soviets and not much else.

I think the expansion of hockey cards, ie Upper Deck and Score, really helped to open up everyone's eyes with European players.

I opened my sportscards store in November of 1990 and guys like Jagr, Fedorov and Lidstrom were among my most requested cards.

Also from the highlight package...love hearing Gary Thorne doing hockey again. NBCSP needs to find a way to lure him back to do national games.
Also enjoyed seeing the old "Sportchannel America" logo. My brother and I used to joke they should have been called "Sportschannel New York" because it seemed that most of the national games they used to broadcast always involved the Devils, Rangers, or Islanders. (For you young folks, SCA was the 1980's version of Versus). Also, check out how low the camera angles were compared to today's NHL games...
- Emperor Filonius

Watched many a game during college on Sportschannel. Do you remember what Pittsburgh stations carried the Pens? WPGH was one, who was before them?

Wow that wouldve been some game to attend

How are we today, Pittsburgh?

How are we today, Pittsburgh?
- BulliesPhan87

Giddy with the news of the Giroux suspension.

Nah, it's slow. It's tough to have meaningful discussions about Bylsma's leash, the impending Staal trade and how badly we hate the 4 remaining East teams.

Watched many a game during college on Sportschannel. Do you remember what Pittsburgh stations carried the Pens? WPGH was one, who was before them?
- the-mitch-wilsons

I want to say that SOME of the games were on KDKA in addition to WPGH. IIRC, even into the late 80's not all games were on TV. At some point, they started transitioning games to KBL, which was the direct forerunner to Fox Sports Pgh. This meant all the games were televised...some over the air, and some over cable. As more homes got basic cable, they eventually transitioned all the games to FSP. WIsh I had a better feel for the timing. I also want to say that the Pens experimented with pay per view for a short while during the height of their popularity in the 90's, but that died a quick death....I also am trying to remember when the simulcast ended and they went to a radio team and a TV team...maybe 93?

A-train just put Schenn in his place

Well words don't do that second goal justice.

Well words don't do that second goal justice.
- Gunner Staal

I have a word... Ouch!

Devils getting too cute.

PUT THE PUCK ON NET

Well words don't do that second goal justice.
- Gunner Staal

8 more years. CBC had a shot of Holmgren doing a facepalm.

Some heavy hits in that period.

Devils getting too cute.

PUT THE PUCK ON NET
- nhindian

Yep. Passing on several chances to shoot.....hmmmm...wonder when I've seen that before?

The Flyer fans are begining to remind me of Hab fans in that everytime a Flyer falls for whatever reason they want a call.

Pens suck!

Pens suck!
- litlchuck55

agreed

any team that lost to this Flyers team is clearly inept.

- nhindian

Trying to decide if that play was worse than the gaffe Lovejoy made in game 2.

Trying to decide if that play was worse than the gaffe Lovejoy made in game 2.
- Emperor Filonius

That's like trying to contemplate whether the Jewish holocaust was worse than the one in Sudan.

agreed

any team that lost to this Flyers team is clearly inept.
- nhindian

Agreed. If the Penguins had used half their brains for the series every game would have been 10-3.