Sounds like quite the predicament. Dr. Frank to the rescue.

1. Your son is clearly a masochist. Please don’t take his failure as a hockey fan as your failure as a parent. You’ve done everything you can and from here it’s up to him. Your only hope is that one day he will see the light of day (or too many dark days as a Calgary/Edmonton fan) and convert to the one true being.

2. I’d become a fan of the AHL – I hear those Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are pretty good.

3. I’m afraid there is little you can do to make him like your favorite team. I say edu-makate yourself to the best of your abilities so that when he says, “Jarome Iginla scored a hat trick last night” you can say. “Yeah, but did he ever score five goals in one game every way possible (short hand, penalty shot, even strength, empty net and power play) like Mario Lemieux? I didn’t think so.” Also I’d suggest he read Pensburgh as often as possible. If mom doesn’t want him to interact that is perfectly fine, but the boy should be educated at the least.

4. In the right atmosphere you’ll be surprised what you can do. I once cheered for the Devils during a Rangers/Devils game, then turned right around a week later and cheer for the Penguins over the Devils. Sometimes you have to choose between which team you hate less (if at all possible) and go with that approach.

5. Speak softly and carry a big hockey stick. You will go far.

Anything else, don’t hesitate to ask.

that stick save was incredible

er, Petr. Sometimes you try to be cool and just fail. Sigh.

That’s what happens when you try to get too cute with your team. Less pass, more shot. But I will admit, they are looking pretty good on offense right now. Tough break for Fleury before.

It seems like every time the Pens are on the PP they GIVE UP a goal. SCORE you F&^%S!

I’m Frank D – I’m speechless at tonight’s performance.

Agreed. This has been torture. Wideman’s shot was good, but so was the setup from Savard to Kessel looked like something the Pens SHOULD do but aren’t doing.