Pittsburgh Hockey.NET

Strange but true ...

Today was the third time the Pens overcame a three goal lead in the playoffs and the second time on this date.

Last year on April 25 the Penguins rallied to erase a 3-0 lead against the New York Rangers and won on Evgeni Malkin's powerplay goal with 1:41 remaining to win the opening game of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, 5-4.

In Wooster, Ohio on April 4th. 40 players throughout the nation were selected from a pool of 1,600. Five Pittsburghers (4 players, 1 coach) were selected to represent their colleges/universities at the event. Each of these players will be on the same team roster at this weekend's ACHA All-Star Event. These 5 leaders have been integral to their programs and to Pittsburgh hockey over the years in achieving a lot throughout their careers.

The Pittsburgh area players and coach were defeated by the White Team, 6-3.

Dave Fryer - Head Coach - Duquesne University - Hails from Oakdale, PA. 2nd ACHA All-Star appearance. Named as Head Coach of the Blue Team at the All-Star Game. Recently coached Duquesne to the ACHA National Tournament after winning the 2008-2009 College Hockey Mid-America Regular Season and Playoff Tournament titles. Dave played high school hockey for West Allegheny High School and collegiate hockey for the University of Pittsburgh.

Ben Herring – Forward - University of Rhode Island – A Senior from Sewickley, PA. 1st ACHA All-Star appearance. A very skilled forward, who is a leader for the Rams, Herring scored 12 goals and added 15 assists in 28 games. Played for Quaker Valley High School and the Pittsburgh Hornets prior to attending Rhode Island. Completed his collegiate career at URI with 107 total points. Helped Rhode Island win an ACHA Division I National Championship in 2006. Herring had one goal in the all-star game.

Tim O’Brien – Forward - Penn State University – A Sophomore from Bethel Park, PA. 1st ACHA All-Star appearance. Played high school hockey at Bethel Park High School and for the Youngstown Phantoms AAA prior to attending Penn State. Tim knows how to win. A talented lefty who has led Penn State to the ACHA National Tournament the past two years. Has led Penn State in scoring for both seasons he has been there. Accumulated a 46 point season with the Icers, scoring 29 goals. Helped lead Penn State to back to back ESCHL League Championships, earning MVP of the 2009 ESCHL Tournament.

Mario Panucci – Forward - Washington & Jefferson College – A Senior from McKees Rocks, PA. 2nd ACHA All-Star appearance for the Presidents. Played high school hockey for two years for Team Montour prior to attending W&J. An extremely fast skater with great vision and an ability to distribute the puck. His 70 point, 2008-2009 season is a W&J single season scoring record. Helped lead Washington & Jefferson to a College Hockey Mid-America League Championship in 2008 with a win over West Virginia. Mario completed his collegiate hockey career with 173 total points. Panucci had one assist in the all-star game.

Justin Thomas – Forward - University of Pittsburgh – A Sophomore from Pittsburgh, PA. 2nd ACHA All-Star appearance. Played high school hockey at Shadyside Academy. A very talented player who has led Pitt in scoring in his first two collegiate seasons. Justin is a pure goal scorer with a wicked shot. He has scored 72 goals in just two seasons at Pitt. He had a 51 point season in 2008-2009, as a sophomore, in helping lead Pittsburgh to the College Hockey Mid-America title game vs. Duquesne. Thomas had one minor penalty in the all-star game.

Less than a week ago Western Pennsylvania native Christian Hanson was saddened when his college team was eliminated in the NCAA Midwest Regional. Tonight he was playing in the NHL, becoming the 12th player from here to make the big leagues.

Hanson, who wasn't drafted in the NHL, finished his college career at Notre Dame when Bemidji State beat the Fighting Irish on and signed a free agent contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs three days later on March 31, 2009.

Here's a list of the other 11 'Burg Boys that made the NHL...

The Pens have scrapped the retro blue for the rest of the season.

The Penguins were schedule to wear the alternate jerseys at least one more game on April 1 against New Jersey, but a team spokesperson has said that the team will use the traditional black and (vegas) gold for the rest of the year.

The team will also scrap the special third jersey logo puck that was used in the ten games that the blue uniforms were used.

Editor's note: Story has been confirmed by Dave Molinari.