Contrary to popular opinion, the Pens did play a game Saturday night.  Unfortunately that game was against the Minnesota Wild, whose style of play is somewhat contrary to what their name might suggest.  When the schedule first came out and I saw that the Pens only had six Saturday home games, and one of them was against Minnesota, I knew it wouldn't be pretty but I also knew that we'd be there.  Check out our photos after the jump.

From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

We were down close to the ice for this one.  It was fun, but not a great spot for getting pictures of actual game action.  So, what my photos for this game may lack in drama, I tried to make up for by capturing the emotions of the participants.  Let's face it, the game itself didn't offer a whole lot of drama anyway.  Also, if, like me, you have been missing Staal for the first half of the season, then this is the post for you.  I tried to get enough pictures of him in this game to make up for the 30+ games that he missed.

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From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

We stayed at the Cambria Suites, the new hotel adjacent to Consol Energy Center.  It has all the problems you'd expect from a new hotel (and then some), but it does get bonus points for having Suite 87 and Suite 71...not that I'll ever see the inside of them.  i think they go for $2500 per night.  Anyway, the other serious advantage to this place is you can go from the comfort and warmth of your room to the comfort of your seat in section 102 in about 5 minutes. 

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WARM-UP:

From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

 

From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

 

From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

Potash is ready for the playoffs to start.

From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

Isn't his nickname Three or More?  I guess nowadays that means if the Wild score three or more, he'll get them the win (not that they needed that many tonight).

From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

 

From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

Oh, did I mention that there would be a lot of Letang pics also?

From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

 

From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

Happy Staal.

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From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

Anthem pics.

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1ST PERIOD:

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From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

Nobody wanted to see Staal shaken up like this.  Glad he came out of it okay.

From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

Whatever it was, he was hurting.

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From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

 

From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

Wild went up 1-0 on the deflection.  Damn.

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From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

Going down 1-0 sucked.  Going down 2-0 was downright discouraging.

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From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

2ND PERIOD:

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Surprisingly it took almost 23 minutes before we gave the Wild a 5-on-3 power play chance.

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From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

So jealous.

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Pens gather for a key power play.

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From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

Still we couldn't get it past The Odor.

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Nice to see Lovejoy's face returning to a normal shape.

From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

See, I tried to tell the Caps fans after Episode 4 of 24/7 that Duper always looks like he's on the verge of tears.  He's just a sensitive guy.

From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

3RD PERIOD:

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GEICO Insurance Goal of the Night:

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Glad to see the crowd didn't let the 3-goal deficit ruin their fun.

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Empty net city.

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From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild

I didn't really pay attention to the three stars but I'm guessing this guy was one of 'em.

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From 2011-01-08 Pens vs Wild