Tim Benz stories, Page 58

During his final press conference of the year, Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan was asked about the performance of his team’s power play. Listening to Sullivan’s defense of his man-up unit was as frustrating as it was to watch at times this season. “I think our power play finished 14th...

Monday’s “First Call” features the scouting destination of Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin this past weekend. We also look ahead to the Pirates’ next series. Plus, a former Pirate is off to a torrid start, a big transfer win for West Virginia’s basketball team, and America comes up clutch in...

I’ve had a hard time trying to find a silver lining to the end of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2022-23 season. They missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006. They ended up losing their last two games to two of the worst teams in the NHL (the Columbus Blue...

Reid Cooper was just a play away from making some local hockey history Thursday night. The former Robert Morris Colonial signed an amateur tryout contract with the Washington Capitals to be their backup goaltender during the franchise’s regular-season finale against the New Jersey Devils. If Cooper had gotten on the...

There was a macabre fascination to the way the Pittsburgh Penguins regular season finale played out in Columbus. The Pens lost to the awful Blue Jackets 3-2. In overtime. After blowing a third period lead. To a significantly inferior foe. While outshooting the opponent and making a journeyman goalie in...

Friday’s “First Call” features fallout from Ben Roethlisberger’s critique of Lamar Jackson. Ex-Steeler Devin Bush discusses his move to Seattle. And there will be a Pittsburgh influence in the new ownership group of the Washington Commanders. Ruffling Raven feathers During the latest episode of his “Footbahlin’ with Ben” podcast, former...

A new Pittsburgh Steeler is giving out draft advice to the franchise. A Penn State alum is unhappy with his franchise tag. A local baseball star just hit it rich. And college hockey is catching on with ESPN viewers. All that in Thursday’s “First Call.” Pat Pete playing GM? Appearing...

When we first heard the “Fi-re Hex-tall” chants from Pittsburgh Penguins fans at PPG Paints Arena during a 7-2 beatdown from the Edmonton Oilers on Feb. 24, they really resonated. As general manager of the Penguins, Ron Hextall assumed a job that can’t escape criticism. His predecessors — Craig Patrick,...

Now that the Pittsburgh Penguins will officially miss the playoffs for the first time since 2006, the angst from the fan base is thick. Wow! “U mad, bro?” is going to be stocked for weeks. It doesn’t even matter that no one cares about the Pirates anymore. And I don’t...

Before Tuesday night’s regular season home finale, the Pittsburgh Penguins gave away floppy bucket hats to the fans. Perfect for the beach. Hopefully the Penguins promotional staff saved some of those for the players because it looks like some early vacations are on the way. After suffering an utterly inexcusable...

If nothing else, the Pittsburgh Steelers are throwing bodies at one of their offseason depth issues. And those bodies should be big enough to mitigate the problem. While none of the signings really caused tremors on the free agency front across the National Football League, the Steelers at least appear...

Tuesday’s “First Call” looks at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ latest free agent signing. Ben Roethlisberger’s son continues family dominance in Cleveland. Kenny Pickett is teaming up with a Pitt recruit to stay sharp. A pair of Pitt basketball rivals are reportedly involved in recruiting an ex-Panther. And the women’s ice hockey...

While watching Sidney Crosby’s virtuoso performance Saturday afternoon in Detroit, one thing went through my mind. This one should be remembered more than it probably will be. That kind of effort from Crosby felt like it should’ve resulted in more of an exclamation point result. With the desperation level being...

Oneil Cruz’s fractured ankle is a gut punch for the Pittsburgh Pirates on many levels. Not the least of which is that the injury dampens the early momentum within the fan base and the belief that the team was on a fast ascent after nine games. Now, though, the 6-3...

Each day this week, “Breakfast With Benz” will get you ready for this month’s NFL Draft by posting daily “Draft 101” podcasts. Former NFL and college scout and current Steelers Nation Radio host, Matt Williamson, joins Tim Benz for daily podcasts breaking down draft-eligible players in different position groups. Our...

Each day this week, “Breakfast With Benz” will get you ready for this month’s NFL Draft by posting daily “Draft 101” podcasts. Former NFL and college scout and current Steelers Nation Radio host, Matt Williamson, joins Tim Benz for daily podcasts breaking down draft-eligible players in different position groups. Thursday’s...

Each day this week, “Breakfast With Benz” will get you ready for this month’s NFL Draft by posting daily “Draft 101” podcasts. Former NFL and college scout and current Steelers Nation Radio host, Matt Williamson, joins Tim Benz for daily podcasts breaking down draft-eligible players in different position groups. Wednesday...

Each day this week, “Breakfast With Benz” will get you ready for this month’s NFL Draft by posting daily “Draft 101” podcasts. Former NFL and college scout and current Steelers Nation Radio host Matt Williamson joins Tim Benz for daily podcasts breaking down draft-eligible players in different position groups. We...

To this point, it’s tough to envision a scenario in which Logan Cooley’s debut season in NCAA hockey could’ve gone any better. As the No. 3 overall pick (Arizona Coyotes) in last summer’s NHL Draft, much was expected of the West Mifflin product — and he has delivered. The 18-year-old...

Pittsburgh Penguins fans have reached peak angst. Steelers fans are languishing. And Pirates fans are already ticked off — even though the season hasn’t even started yet. Here’s something else to get mad about. There will be no “U mad, bro?” next week as “Breakfast With Benz” is on vacation....