Penguins Fans Revved Up As National Spotlight Shines On Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Penguins themselves aren't the only ones getting ready for Monday's big game.
Fans are revved up for the national spotlight to shine on Pittsburgh.
Coach Mike Sullivan was putting the Pens through their paces Sunday for the Stanley Cup Final. CONSOL Energy Center will host its first NHL championship when the Pens face off against the San Jose Sharks.
"It's been a championship building since we built it," the Penguins CEO, David Morehouse, said. "It's only fitting that now, finally, we have a championship in the building."
Former player and current ESPN analyst Barry Melrose gives the new arena high marks.
"This is a great hockey building. The igloo was nice, it was quaint, it was tight. Fans were on top of everything," Melrose said. "The Penguins had a lot of success in the igloo. And now they're over here in the new building."
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All eyes in the hockey world are on Pittsburgh. Close to 350 credentialed reporters are here waiting on Game One.
"All over the world, it's an international game," Jamey Horan with NHL Communications said. "Thirty percent of our players come from overseas. We have a huge following internationally."
Fans have also come from far and near to see their beloved Pens play for the coveted Stanley Cup. Pens fan Derrick Marciniuk and his family traveled from Long Beach, New York.
"We are hardcore fans. This is religion," he said. "We hate the Rangers. We just hate them."
"We started the season off slow, then we came in strong at the end," Max Marciniuk said. "It was good."
During Thursday's game, the noise level from fans measured 122 decibels. It was so loud, the coach had to scream at the players just to be heard.
Morehouse knows fans will be ready.
"I think it should be something they should enjoy while it's here," he said. "Take a breath, suck it all in, and scream, and help us win another Cup."
"Keep bringing it," Pens player Matt Cullen said. "Keep bringing it. It's been fun We love playing here, and it's helped us a lot."
