Roethlisberger named Team MVP

An argument can be made that Ben Roethlisberger should have been the Steelers’ Most Valuable Player in 2007. But there’s no debate this year. “Big Ben” is the man. On Thursday, Roethlisberger was named MVP by a vote of his teammates. “To me, of all of the awards I have ever won, being a team MVP voted on by your teammates and a team captain are probably two of the most special awards that I could ever win,” Roethlisberger said. “This means more to me than any other award. It tops them all. It was touching. I had to hold back some emotions when Coach (Mike Tomlin) said it.” Two years ago, Roethlisberger had an MVP-type season when he re-wrote

End of the Year Penguins/Olympics/NHL Notes

The Pittsburgh Penguins end the year on the three game losing streak, coming off two tough loses to the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils. The Penguins were off today and will practice in Pittsburgh tomorrow morning before they depart for Florida. Sidney Crosby will end the decade as the highest scoring Penguin for this decade –330 GP – 155 goals – 290 assists – 445 pts – +42 *Team USA will name their 2010 Olympic roster tomorrow afternoon during the Winter Classic. Representatives began informing players who did not make the squad as early as Monday. Defenseman Brooks Orpik didn’t receive one of those calls. Orpik is a lock to make the team along with former teammate Ryan Malone.

Farm Report: Player Observations through 34 games

The Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins (18-14-1) got a three point night from Wyatt Smyth, getting goals from five different players en route to a 6-3 win Wednesday night over the Binghamton Senators. Chris Lee (4), Mark Letestu (8), Luca Caputi (13), Eric Tangradi (7) scored for Wilkes Barre while Smyth (7, 8,) added two goals. John Curry made 24 saves to earn his 15th win of the season. Aside from Wyatt Smyth, two bright spots on the night were top prospects Luca Caputi and Eric Tangradi. In the midst of a mini-slump, Luca Caputi the teams’ leading goal scorer, scored his first goal since December 18th and 13th of the season. Caputi also had an assist and was tied for a

Brodeur, Devils shutout Penguins again; Improve record to 4-0 against Pittsburgh

The New Jersey Devils made it four straight against Pittsburgh as Martin Brodeur made 32 saves, recording his 105th career shutout, leading the Devils to a 2-0 win Wednesday night at the Prudential Center. Pittsburgh played their most competitive game against New Jersey this season but failed to get anything past Brodeur for the second consecutive time. In four meetings this season, the Devils have outscored Pittsburgh 14-2. Pittsburgh has now dropped three straight while New Jersey has won 14 of its last 17 games to improve to 28-9-1 on the season. The Devils who lack the star power that the Penguins have, are among the best skating teams in hockey, reminding some scouts of the Devils teams in the

Wednesday Practice Report: Polamalu practices on limited basis

By Inside Pittsburgh Sports Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley has questioned the integrity of the New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals as they prepare for the last day of the 2009 regular season in the NFL. Woodley believes the Patriots and Bengals will “lay down” in games which are virtually meaningless for them. But the New England at Houston and Cincinnati at the New York Jets games aren’t meaningless for Steelers. For the Steelers (8-7) to land a wild-card berth, the Texans (8-7) and Jets (8-7) might have to both lose. “Cincinnati is probably going to go into New York and lay down for the Jets and not play them hard just because they’re not going to want to see Pittsburgh

Game 41: Penguins @ Devils Pre-Game Buzz: Johnson to start in goal

Pittsburgh (26-13-1) @ New Jersey (27-9-1) The Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils each had optional skates today as both teams prepare for the fourth meeting of the season between the two division rivals. Pittsburgh’s lineup is uncertain at the forward position but goaltender Brent Johnson will start in net as Marc Andre Fleury will get a night off. Johnson is 4-2 on the season with a 2.68 GAA. Eric Godard, Martin Skoula and Marc Andre were the final players off the ice this morning. Meanwhile, goaltender Martin Brodeur will start his 16th consecutive game in goal for the Devils tonight. Today was a big day for Sidney Crosby and Marc Andre Fleury who were named to the Canadian Olympic

Crosby, Fleury named to Team Canada

As expected goaltender Marc Andre Fleury and Sidney Crosby were named to Team Canada today. Canada goes into the 2010 Winter Olympics as the favorites to win gold. Sidney Crosby was named an alternate captain. Penguins center Jordan Staal was not named to the team. “This is a pretty special honor. I’m pretty proud to be apart of it, ” Sidney Crosby said today on being selected to Team Canada. Team Canada Roster

NHL: Los Angeles & Minnesota interested in Fedotenko?

Kaberle on the radar of Rangers, Wild, Capitals Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke will begin the process of listening to offers for defenseman Tomas Kaberle and once again Kaberle will be highly coveted. Whether he gets traded though remains to be seen due to his NTC. Among the early suitors, Kaberle is at the top of the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals wishlist. Minnesota Wild GM Chuck Fletcher has also been coveting Kaberle since the 2009 NHL entry draft but Kaberle nixed a potential deal to Minnesota last summer and will likely do the same again this winter. Burke is looking to sell high on Kaberle who has 35 points in 40 games this season. The asking

Game 40: Penguins lose second straight; Staal to learn Team Canada fate

Buffalo 4 – Pittsburgh 3 The Pittsburgh Penguins blew a 3-0 lead as the Buffalo Sabres scored four unanswered goals to defeat the Penguins 4-3 Tuesday night. Jordan Staal (11), Bill Guerin (12) and Chris Kunitz (6) scored for the Penguins, who squandered a three-goal lead for the first time since a 5-3 loss at Nashville on January 8, 2009. Pittsburgh dominated for the first 30 minutes of the game but a turning point in the game was a Drew Stafford penalty shot goal at 12:46 of the second period.