Still More From the Mellon Send Off

Here are some last pictures of the event at Mellon Arena.  It was a great night for sure.  Bring on the Playoffs.

Here come the pre-game warmups.

Fleury warming up.  This is going to be a great night...I can feel it.

The coach, Dan Bylsma.

The Three-Stars of the Game...

Sidney Crosby

Evgeni Malkin...and

The myth, the man (er, penguin), the legend...Iceburgh!!

One of the memorable characters from Mellon/Civic arena days is Elvis.  The background here is that Mike Lange, longtime Pens announcer, used to quip "Elvis has just left the building" after a game ending goal like a GWer or empty netter.  Eventually a costumed Elvis began appearing throughout the crowd at the Arena on game night.  Hopefully he will be carried over to the new home next year.

The Consol Energy Center directly across the street from Mellon arena.

If you never saw the video, it's worth a look if not for nostalgia sake.



Goodbye Mellon. Thanks for the memories!

More from the Last Regular Season Game At Mellon

Here are more pictures from the last regular season game at Mellon Arena.  Most of these are of the inside before the game and during the ceremony at the beginning.  Over 50 members of the Penguins organization throughout their history were in attendance to celebrate that building.

Here is a shot from their seats.  There really wasn't a bad seat in the arena.  I remember having as much fun sitting on the glass as I did sitting in the last row by the roof line.  It was always a great night in Mellon.

Here is a great shot of the scoreboard hanging above center ice.  You may remember this scoreboard from such films as Sudden Death, starring Jean Claude Van Damme or more recently, She's Out of My League starring that dorky guy from the movie Knocked Up.  Not specific enough?  He was the really skinny one.

The ice got a little sick before the game.

The pre-game ceremony showed videos and images from the Penguins history and featured various players who have made an impact on the Pens organization.  I believe this is a shot of Syl Apps who was in attendance. 

Here is the video that played on the scoreboard.

The Pens logo at center ice.

I can't really tell who this one is but I think it's Crosby.

Here is a shot of some of the veterans as they lined up on the red carpet.  I wish there would have been more shots of this but that's ok.  I was able to record it as NHL network showed the whole thing.  Awesome!

Another shot of the red carpet event.

Jimerson in the house!!

--More later

A Recap Of the Last Regular Season Game At Mellon

So since I couldn't take part in the festivities last Thursday night in Pittsburgh, I have to live vicariously through my youngest brother who actually witnessed the game in person.  I made sure he took plenty of pictures so that I could share them with the world.  I have such power.  This is image heavy so it may take some time for it all to load.  The first set is pre-pregame.  Pics of the stadium, the players arriving,

First, in case there was any question as to what that domed structure was in the distance, that traffic sign provides a good label.

Fast approaching the Igloo

See, if you get there early enough, you can get a great parking spot.  The beam structure on the side (is that the side...technically it's a circle so there is no side) is the retractable roof mechanism.  I don't know how it works, it just does.

'Nuff said.  Hopefully we can just change the last two numbers and move it to the new marquee across the street.

Ruslan Fedotenko walking into the stadium.  My brother and sister in law always find a way to get back to the player entrance and get pictures and autographs from all the guys.  I am so jealous.

Marc-Andre Fleury trying to button his jacket that appears to be too small.

Eric Goddard on his way into Mellon.

Craig Adams heading toward the locker room.  Interesting choice of tie for the occasion.

The Russian Mafia...Evgeni Malkin and Sergei Gonchar before the game.

Brooks Orpik and Mark Eaton.  Is that a Slurpee or an Icee in Eaton's hand?

A white limo, the second of two.  Who was in this one?  10-12 Penguin veterans arriving for the opening ceremony before the game.

This is a shot of the commemorative ticket that was given out with admission to the game.  I want one.  These were made by the Wendell August Forge, the oldest and biggest in America.  The crazy part is that after they got the order, the place burned down.  They had to rebuild and still were able to fill the order.  They are all handmade pieces.  Even if you aren't a Penguin fan or hockey fan, this is a great example of some fine metal work. Here is a great video that shows how they are made.



--More to come.

The End Of An Era

(The Pittsburgh Civic Auditorium/Arena shortly after/during construction in 1961.)

The Pens play host to the NY Islanders for their season finale at home tonight.  Looking back on this now, it would have seemed more appropriate for the league to schedule this as a "throwback" jersey game against the Canadians but that is why I do what I do and don't work for the NHL.  Why?  This isn't just any "last game" of the year scenario.  If you have paid any attention around here at all, you know that this is the last season for Mellon Arena.  Next year the Pens move to their new digs across the street at the Consol Energy Center.  In celebration of the team and this great building they have played in since 1967, More than 50 former Penguins players and coaches will be on hand. 

One of the featured guests will most certainly be HOFer Andy Bathgate, who scored the first goal in Penguins history in thier inaugural 2-1 loss to Montreal on Oct. 11, 1967.  It was called the Civic Auditorium/Arena back then, named for Pittsburghs Civic Light Opera.  In fact, it was the Civic Arena up until December 1999 when the city entered into a contract to rename the stadium.  I still call it the Igloo and probably always will...just like I sometimes call Heinz Field, Three Rivers; Cellular Field in Chicago is still Comisky; etc., etc. 

Other Pens greats in attendance include: current owner Mario Lemiux, All Star MVP's Syl Apps and Greg Polis, HOFers Paul Coffey, Bryan Trottier, Craig Patrick and Larry Murphy, fan favorites Jean Pronovost, Dave Burrows, Pierre Larouche and Bryan Watson, player/coaches Eddie Olczyk, Rick Kehoe, Ken Schinkel and Gene Ubriaco.  I'm sure there will also be quite a few surprises in store for the fans.

The alums will attend the Penguins’ morning skate on Thursday, then take a tour of the Consol Energy Center construction site in the afternoon.  Thursday also will be Fan Appreciation Night, and current Penguins players will give 20 lucky fans the “Shirts Off Our Backs’ following the game.

My brother scored tickets for this game a few months ago and I have been jealous ever since.  Considering his luck all the time in giveaways and contest, he will probably be one of the 20.  Either way, it is going to be a memorable moment that those in attendance won't soon forget.