Arena Big Screen Fills To Capacity, 2nd TV Set Up In Market Square
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Fans hoping to watch the Pittsburgh Penguins win the Stanley Cup tonight on the big screen lined up early.
The big screen outside of Consol Energy Center has been a crowd-pleaser for years. However, tonight's game could be a special moment in Pittsburgh.
No major Pittsburgh sports team has clinched a title at home since the 1960 Pirates. With a win tonight, the Penguins would end that streak.
KDKA's Ron Smiley Reports:
Fans know what's on the line and some started lining up at the big screen at midnight. By noon, a sizeable crowd had already gathered.
Amazing scene!!!! The shortest distance between point A and point B has been taken over by #PenguinNation pic.twitter.com/f0ETjSzqZj
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) June 9, 2016
By 5 p.m., the Penguins said the crowd had grown so large, the area became filled to capacity. One estimate is more than 10,000 fans.
Because of that, team and city officials are erecting a second big screen in Market Square, so all those fans that can't be fit in at the arena have a place to go and watch the game together.
NewsChopper 2 Over Consol Energy Center:
"The Penguins organization made the last-minute request to put a second screen up. They're going to provide a second screen because of the large number of folks that are up at the Consol Energy Center," said Pittsburgh Chief Operations Director Guy Costa. "So, we're in the process, the second screen will be here shortly. We'll make the connection, so folks here at Market Square will be able to watch the hockey game."
If the Pens win, there will surely be celebrations in the streets. However, police want to keep problems to a minimum.
Celebrations will be limited to 90 minutes after the game ends. After that, people will be asked to clear the streets.
"We want to celebrate, my officers are going to celebrate. Where the line is is where it causes property damage. Where it impinges on the freedoms of other people or jeopardizes public safety. Our role will be to create a safe environment for the celebration to occur. We'll try to urge voluntary compliance," Pittsburgh Police Chief Cameron McLay said.
KDKA's Heather Abraham On The South Side:
There will also be parking restrictions in place ahead of tonight's game.
From 6 p.m. tonight through 6 a.m. Friday, there will be no parking on the South Side on Carson Street.
There will also be no parking on Fifth Avenue to Crawford Street to Sixth Avenue.
Pens Prep For Game:
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