The Mellon Arena is one of if not the oldest building in the NHL which makes it one of the coolest places to watch a game. Approaching the arena last night, there were people everywhere and I was so excited to see these fans in action during the playoffs. If you've been following along, I'm a big fan of the game, but I'm an even bigger fan of the atmosphere and overall experience of going to a hockey game and the folks in Pittsburgh know how to rock it out.
I have been to a few regular season games here this season and I have thoroughly enjoyed the fans' passion for the game, but more importantly, for their team. They've always been decked out in thier Pens gear and screaming at the top of thier lungs...So imagine my disappointment when the fans acted like bumps on a log until the second period.
What the heck was going on??
I blame it on the nine-day break between games which is really more like 12 days since the Pens' last home game...the fans needed to shake the rust off.
They were given white t-shirts in an effort to create "white-out" conditions as well as towels to wave to get everyone pumped up for the game. Many people wore white in the first place, but most of those who didn't donned the free t-shirt, but then there were a handful who didn't and I'm not sure why. I'm specifically talking to the guy in the second row of Section E-20 wearing a flaming yellow shirt. Did you just want to stand out? or were you too cool? Where's your team spirit?! In regards to the towels...why did it take several prompts on the scoreboard to get you guys to wave them? Yes, you'd give a little cheer when someone laid a good hit and booed Jagr every time he had the puck and shouted "Let's Go Pens" every once in awhile, but there were no random or even sustained cheers until the Penguins scored in the Second period and even then...ehh...
I know better than to believe that you guys are fair-weather fans, but those unaware of your passion wouldn't think twice about calling you that. Sure your team was down and down by a lot (three to be exact), but that's exactly when your team needs you the most. It's the point of having home-ice advantage...having that "7th man" to give you that extra boost when you need it. This was the fourth arena that I've been to during the playoffs and the other three have been so loud throughout the entire game - to the point where you couldn't hear the PA announcer or the music...almost concert-like where if you wanted to talk to the person sitting next to you, you have to scream and even then they relied more on reading your lips - that last night simply paled in comparison.
I talked to a few of the players today and, of course, they're not going to say anything about your lackluster performance, but I'm calling you out! I know you can do much better and I'm hoping the rust has been washed away and am expecting a much better showing tomorrow afternoon.
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If you're in the area, but don't have tickets to the game...join the party on the plaza!!
InnoVision Media Group has set up a 16x12 foot Toshiba screen just outside the arena for fans to gather and watch the game. Fans arrived more than two hours early in an effort to get the best seats. You're not allowed to bring tents or grills, but fold-up chairs and blankets are ok. You're also not allowed to bring your own alcohol (open container law),although Aramark has set up a concession stand serving hambergers, sodas and bottled water.
I went outside for the start of the third period to and the folks outside were much more into the game than the folks inside. They were oohing and aahing every play and yelling at the screen like crazy.
On a sidenote...it's a great idea for an inexpensive date...balmy weather, a nice breeze, under the stars and watching hockey. How much better could it get?!
Just be sure to check the weather report...apparently during Game 2 of Round 1, the party goers on the plaza were chased away due to a monsoon like hail storm...that would not be the best idea for a date, especially if your date is wearing something nice and if she spent a lot of time doing her hair...
Otherwise....Rock on!!
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If you're not cool enough to live in Canada or have Canadian satellite, let me introduce you to The Score's Cabbie on the Streets...
You can click here to see more of Cabbie's Journey to the Cup and be sure to check back for his interview with Pittsburgh's Ryan Malone - funny stuff!
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I caught Pittsburgh's Georges Laraque taping a stick after practice this morning and our conversation went something like this:
J - how many sticks do you like to keep taped up and ready to go?
G - Look around...(we were standing in for lack of a better word the stick room) Some guys have a lot, but I don't have too many...I use wood sticks.
J - you don't like the composite ones?
G - NO! they're wimpy and they break all the time and always at the worst times. Look at that game the other night in Montreal...if that stick didn't break the Flyers would have won that game and been up 1-0 on the Canadiens. If that had been me, my stick wouldn't have broken because it's wood. I don't like those new sticks.
Well, I guess we know how he feels about composite sticks!
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Also wanted to give a special shout out to the Rangers' Equipment Managers...thanks for answering all my nosey questions about sharpening skates and uniform repairs - did you know they travel with a sewing machine? - ...my only hope is that the players appreciate all you do for them. You guys are rockstars! :)
That's all for now...I'll be back with more after tomorrow's game :)
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