For Penguins, a Pair of Fathers' Days, a Pair of Wins

When Marc-Andre Fleury could no longer take his roommate's loud snoring on Sunday night at their Manhattan hotel, the Penguins goalie delicately flung a bottle of water at his tormentor.

"He woke up, took a drink and everything was fine after that," said Fleury, his team's starting goaltender on Monday at Madison Square Garden. "I've had worse roommates."

Fleury's roommate this weekend? His father, Andre.

The posters in Pittsburgh's locker room at the Garden said it all: "PENS EXPRESS 2010. All Aboard. Out for Justice."

The Penguins hosted their fathers on a two-game road trip to Philadelphia on Sunday and New York on Monday. The dads traveled with their sons on the charter flight from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia on Saturday and the train from historic 30th Street Station to New York's Penn Station after the Penguins beat the Flyers on Sunday afternoon. In what's become a tradition of many NHL franchises, the trip is a chance for the fathers to see life in the big leagues.

"We travel in chartered planes, stay in the best hotels and have the best meals all season," said Penguins coach Dan Bylsma. "But sometimes we forget how good we have it. This trip is a chance for us to honor our fathers and mentors and enjoy life on the road. I also think it's a reminder to all of us how good we have it."

Henry Staal knows all about the good fortune of playing in the NHL. Since Mr. Staal has three sons in the NHL, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby estimates he has been on at least a dozen fathers' trips. "If anyone is the captain of the fathers," said Crosby, "it's probably Mr. Staal."

Jordan Staal (pictured) and his dad shared an Italian dinner at Nino's in Manhattan on Sunday night with Bill Guerin and his father-in-law and Pascal Dupuis and Chris Kunitz and their fathers. Jordan's brother Marc, a defenseman for the Rangers, was invited but decided he didn't want to intrude on the Penguins' family circle.

Still, Henry Staal is making the most of his trip. While the Penguins chartered home on Monday night, Mr. Staal stayed in New York for a few extra days. Conveniently, the Carolina Hurricanes -- led by captain and all-star Eric Staal -- were playing the Rangers at the Garden on Wednesday. "Dad gets to kill two birds with one stone," said Jordan. He added, affectionately, "My brothers and I love to see the old man on the road."

Crosby said he's fortunate enough that his father Troy travels to many Penguins road games, but the fathers' trip is a favorite. "My dad tends to take his time in the hotel room when I'm trying to get ready to leave for the rink," said Pittsburgh's leading scorer. "But that's a minor inconvenience for the fun we have when the dads travel with the team."

Along the trim of the PENS EXPRESS poster are Bylsma's ideals for the defending Stanley Cup champions: "Work Ethic ... Accountability ... Passion." In Pittsburgh's 2-1 win over the Flyers and 4-2 victory in New York, the players honored their fathers by backing up their words.

"We wanted to play well," said Crosby, "not just because we were against rivals like the Flyers and Rangers, but because our dads were here. We wanted them to see us at our best. I'm glad we made it a perfect trip."