Top 5 performances of 2012

2012 was a year that ended mostly in disappointment for Pittsburgh,  but it was a fun ride.  Here's what I think were the top 5 individual performances of 2012. If you disagree with the order, please note that I had a very hard time putting them in order.

5. Andrew McCutchen-- June 17 @ Cleveland  Cutch powered both the offense and the defense in this game.  He blasted 2 home runs off the Cleveland pitcher, and also made a gem of a catch, leaping up against the wall and swatting the ball down, securing it in his glove on the way down.

4.  Marc Andre Fleury-- April 20 vs. Philadelphia The Penguins were down 3-1 in the series and looking to make a comeback.  In game 5, they held a 3-2 lead in the 3rd period, and the Flyers were getting chance after chance, the Pens' defense nowhere to be found.  Fleury answered with save after save, with 2 that were especially jaw-dropping.  One came with the glove, on a third rebound chance.  The other came on a centering pass coming from behind the net.  Fleury smartly jumped over the pass, so it wouldn't bank off of him and into the net, and landed in time to rob the Flyer from point blank range.

3.  Charlie Batch-- December 2nd @ Baltimore  The Steelers were coming off a disappointing loss to the hated Browns and were looking to avoid being swept by the Ravens.  With franchise QB Ben Roethlisberger still sidelined, all eyes were on Charlie Batch.  Expectations weren't high, because of his poor performance in Cleveland the previous week.  Batch defied the odds and threw for 276 yards, including a game winning drive in the final minutes, capped by a last second field goal by Shaun Suisham.

2.  A.J. Burnett-- July 31st vs. Chicago Cubs  The Pirates were coming off of a disastrous loss the previous night at the hands of the lowly Cubs.  They looked to the ever-reliable AJ Burnett for another solid pitching performance.  They were certainly not disappointed.  Burnett carried a no hitter into the 8th inning, only to be broken up there.  Burnett closed out the game, earning a 5-0 one hitter.

1.  Evgeni Malkin-- February 12th vs. Tampa Bay--  The Penguins were winning 3-0.  Evgeni Malkin ripped a shot on goal, which was saved by Dwayne Roloson.  He crashed in for the rebound, unsuccessfully.  Roloson took offense, and shoved Malkin over.  Lesson learned, don't anger Evgeni Malkin.  Geno went on to score 3 goals and 2 assists in that game.  One of the goal ended up being the goal of the year for the NHL, weaving around all 5 Lightning players