Superstitions, Some Wacky, Give Penguins Players, Fans Source Of Stability & Consistency
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Superstitions are nothing new in sports.
For both fans, maybe you have a sweet spot on your couch or a lucky game-day jersey, and the players, those beards; superstitions are a huge part of playoff hockey.
Most of the players have unique "habits" that are all their own.
Sidney Crosby has a bunch - from obsessively re-taping his stick, to his pre-game meal, and he seems to be the same hat Every. Single. Day.
But routine can be a source of stability and consistency.
"I think every playoff game," said Penguins forward Eric Fehr. "I'd say every guy in here does the exact same thing before every game."
But it's not just the players.
The Penguins Ice Crew has its own game-day routine.
"We listen to a lot of Van Halen. We always listen to "Right Now" before the game starts," says Ice Crew member Dylan Junker. "I have rally towels all throughout my car. They stay in the same spot every single time."
"We listen to the same songs every time," Ice Crew member Gina Cunningham adds. "We all sit in the same spot."
Some fans follow the Penguins' lead. They'll do anything if they think it could give their team an edge.
"Wear my earrings every game," says fan Shira Griffin.
"I have a couple chairs from the old Mellon Arena at my house, after they broke it down. I have a little penguin that I put on the seat beside me at all times. I touch his head a couple times. It's kinda weird, but it's just my superstition."
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Every little bit helps, right?
But just a warning to those of you like KDKA meteorologist Ron Smiley who tried something new this Eastern Conference Finals Game 7 day.
What you wear or do today, like Ron's ugly Penguins' sweater vest and tie, could become your next playoff superstition.