Top 5 Causes Of Penguins' Curse
The Pittsburgh Penguins were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the New York Rangers for the second year in a row.
Ever since the Pens won the Stanley Cup in 2009, every season has ended in disappointment.
They have fielded talented teams year in and year out only to find themselves mired in a long string of early playoff exits, untimely injuries, inexplicable scoring slumps, frustrating collapses, and awful breaks.
At a certain point, one has to begin to wonder – are the Penguins cursed? And more importantly, if they are cursed, who or what cursed them?
Those questions prompted "The Fan Morning Show" to seek answers.
Here are the top five potential causes of the Penguins' curse as voted on by listeners.
No. 5 - The Curse of the House Fire
After watching Game 5 of the Pens' first round series in 2010 – a triple overtime Pens loss – Pens fan Robert Abrams got into an argument with his wife over his decision to stay up for the contest and Abrams snapped, killing his wife and burning his house down.
The Penguins would lose their next three playoff series. Click here to read more about the incident.
No. 4 - The Marc Savard Curse
The Pens' Matt Cooke delivered a vicious hit on the Bruins' center during a game between the two teams in March 2010. Savard was knocked out of the game and it left him with a concussion.
Savard's concussion issues have effectively ended his career.
From that moment on, both he and the Pens have never been the same.
No. 3 - The Lowell MacDonald Jr. Curse
During a Pens/Flyers game in January 2010, FSN Pittsburgh withheld a replay angle during a review that would have resulted in the Flyers being awarded a goal.
Producer Lowell MacDonald Jr. (son of former Penguins player Lowell MacDonald) was found to be responsible, and although he was suspended, he was ultimately allowed to keep his job.
Click here to read more about the incident.
No. 2 - The Marian Hossa Curse
Hossa was likely humiliated after he left the Pens for the Red Wings during the 2008 offseason only to lose to the Pens in the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals.
But, he has gotten the last laugh.
Hossa has since joined the Chicago Blackhawks, who have won two Stanley Cups and become a model for playoff success during his time there, whereas the Pens have won none and struggled mightily in the playoffs.
No. 1 - The Curse of the Igloo
As the Pens' 2010 Stanley Cup playoff campaign began, construction workers were in the midst of putting the finishing touches on Consol Energy Center.
As the Pens' new home came together, their run of playoff letdowns began.
The Civic Arena has since been closed and demolished.
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