I'm working on the framework of my long-promised "50 Most Exciting Wins in Pittsburgh Since 1990" article for release this week, and I can tell you one fact that I've discovered along the way: it's going to be very difficult to narrow the list to 50. When you factor in just how many fantastic victories we've witnessed across football, hockey, basketball, and even some baseball in the last 20 years, it's pretty mind-blowing.
So consider this once more chance to make your case for any specific game(s) and adding your two cents as to what should be ranked where. As was the case with the 50 Most Crushing Losses list, the importance of the game will be a factor, so keep that in mind.
How high should Super Bowl XL be, considering it brought home a championship even though it wasn't that exciting of a game? Should the Colts playoff game from that season be higher than the Super Bowl, considering the incredible finish with the Bettis fumble, Roethlisberger tackle, and Vanderjagt missed kick? Where does Pitt's 13-9 win over WVU go, considering the domino effect it set off? These are the kinds of internal debates I've faced in assembling this list, although it's been a labor of love (and certainly much more palatable than compiling a list of losses).
9 comments:
I would have to say tie between xl iii and 09 cup game seven for number 1 colts playoff game number 3 xl 4 game 5 0f 2008 stanley cup, and 1995 afc championship game would finish out my top five
Game 7 against the Wings was incredible. That save at the end by Fluery will live forever.
Don't forget game 5 of the '08 Stanley Cup game, where Sykora scored in the 18th overtime period (at least, that's how I remember it) to keep the series alive.
I'd definitely rank the Steelers/Colts divisional playoff game above Super Bowl XL; Super Bowl XLIII though, was pretty damn good. Not as cathartic and powerful as the feeling of beating the Colts was, but the stakes were higher, I guess.
Under the radar game would be the 2004 divisional playoff game where the 15-1 Steelers hosted the underdog Jets. Jets took it to us and we needed 2 Doug Brien late game FG misses to allow us to win the game.
Game 6 of the '91 Stanley cup finals is probably tops for me. The first Stanley Cup for the Penguins and I was able to be back in Pittsburgh with family and friends for Memorial day weekend. Yes, it was an 8-0 blowout, but that's what made it so enjoyable. Everyone was half-crocked from burgers, booze and Mike Lange goals calls before the 2nd period even started. The Pirates win in game 7 of the 1979 World Series after coming back down 3 games to 1 to the Orioles and the latest Penguins Stanley Cup game 7 win against Detroit would round out my top 3.
The most exciting non-championship game would have to be the Steelers-Colts, 2006 playoff game. Not because the Steelers won, or the Polamalu interception that wasn't, but because of the Bettis fumble that turned an entire Steelers nation into Redd Foxx impersonators. If it wasn't for the tackle by that worthless piece of $hit jaggoff Roethlisberger (right Chip?) then more coronary's would have ensued.
2001 Stanley Cup Playoffs vs the Sabres. The Immaculate Deflection and Kaspars goal. Both were classics.
The 2002 playoff game against the Browns at Heinz Field when the Steelers trailed 24-7, then came back to win. I remember the stadium starting to empty when the Browns scored a TD in the 3rd... then as the Steelers started to climb back into it the place started to fill up again.
To give the current Pitt hoops program some love, I recommend: Pitt v. UConn in '03 Big East Final (Pitt lost the closer game in '02, but got their revenge in '03); Pitt defeating Duke (w/ much of their current championship team) at MSG in '08; Pitt taking down the favored G'town in '08 Big East Final; Levance hitting that huge 3 pointer to help beat Xavier and send Pitt to the Elite 8 in '09.
On the Pitt football side....
September 2000 - Three Rivers Stadium -- Pitt 12, Penn State 0.
In Rod We Trust.
Game 1, '92 Cup Finals
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