inutes [total]. [Bartkowski] probably played, and this is no exaggeration, 89 minutes and 10 seconds," Taibi said. "He was just dominant. Even the second game, midway through the game where you think he would be dog tired, he was still rushing the puck. It was an unbelievable performance."Bartkowski's real coming-out occurred shortly before graduation, when he competed on a Taibi-coached squad representing Pittsburgh at the heralded Chicago Showcase tournament. Team Pittsburgh won the tournament and put Western Pennsylvania on the hockey map."We beat Team Minnesota that year. He scored the game-winning goal. Team Minnesota never lost in this thing. Every scout from the [United States Hockey League] was at that game," Taibi said. "Matt was named MVP of the Chicago Showcase that year, which is rare for a Pittsburgh player. I don't think he was being heavily recruited at that point. He called me a week later and said, 'I've heard from every team in the USHL this week.'" Bruins defenseman Matt Bartkowski returns to the Steel City as a member of the opposing team, but he's the pride of Pittsburgh as the first homegrown player to make it to the NHL. (Photo: Brian Babineau/NHLI)With a generation of parents inspired by Mario Lemieux to throw their children into hockey, Pittsburgh was looking for its first homegrown star, a local player who could help establish Pittsburgh as fertile ground for talent. As he wrapped up his career at Mt. Lebanon, Bartkowski had a chance to be the trailblazer.He played two years in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars before two years at Ohio State University. As if being a Pittsburgh product didn't already make him an anomaly at OSU, Bartkowski was the only engineering student on the team. He had abandoned the cello by then, but his performance in the Chicago Showcase remains legendary years later."When I put up my applications for Team Pittsburgh,Colorado Avalanche Authentic Jersey, I always include Matt. Matt Bartkowski they recognize. I'm sure that helps my attendance at the tryouts," said Gina Colligan, Team Pittsburgh's general manager. "I think there was always a little bit of optimism that one of our kids was going to make the break [to the NHL]. In the back of your mind, you think maybe someone could make it someday."Facing a new group of Penguins stars who are inspiring a new generation of Pittsburgh hockey talent,Mike Green Authentic Jersey, Bartkowski appears to be that one who made it.And one coach in particular plans on commemorating the defenseman's accomplishments."I have a wall, which I intend to call the Wall of Fame, where we want to put life-sized pictures of these kids as they make it to the NHL," said Murovich, who also coached Gibson and Trocheck with the Pittsburgh Predators. "There's no question that Matt Bartkowski is the first player to legitimately make it to the NHL. He's the first guy. He's the patriot. He's the guy who is paving the way."Of course, if Bartkowski continues to pave the way for Pittsburgh hockey, it could come at the expense of the hometown team."He's coming back in the wrong uniform," Taibi said. "But he's coming back."---
Visa presents "Small Plays" which looks at the little things during a game that turn into big results. Here is a recent example from Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final between the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins.Ference's big drive: The Penguins had outplayed the Bruins for much of Game 1 before the scoreless tie was broken. When it finally was, however, Boston was the team celebrating courtesy of one-timer by David Krejci. The eventual game-winner, it was one of two goals Krejci would have on the night, and while Nathan Horton got the primary assist, it was Andrew Ference who set the stage. Ference had already led the rush up ice after reaching back for a pass from Milan Lucic, but after crossing the blue line and dishing the puck to Horton Ference continued driving toward the net until he stood right next to Penguins goalie Tomas Vokoun as the puck puck went in. Ference's drive pulled Pe