It Was Bittersweet

I was lucky enough to be at last night's Penguins game against the NY Rangers for the banner-raising ceremony. What a way to start the game AND the season especially with a WIN!!

In one word, it was bittersweet - last night was the FINAL opening night at the Igloo, but it was highlighted with such a happy occasion - the raising of the Championship banner and remembering such a great 2008-2009 season -- MOMENTOUS and historic all in one night. Isn't is great to think that it was such a wonderful send-off and awesome tribute for the last time there would be an opening night at the Igloo?! The Pittsburgh organization did a wonderful job with the ceremony - it was seriously as PERFECT as it could've been!

Pittsburgh has been talking about "turning the page" and moving on for a fresh start this season after winning the Cup in 2008 - 2009. Well, they definitely put their words into action last night as it was a great game and a really great effort for each player on the ice - they came out looking like they've been playng for a month or two into the season and although they have a few things to work on, they're looking pretty good considering the short off-season and their title of defending Stanley Cup champions (there was no Stanley Cup "hangover" anywhere to be seen last night!).

The game had everything I enjoy about hockey -- energy, physicality, a [good] fight, and a WIN (and even included a few extras with a promotional giveaway of a replica banner, the Stanley Cup all shiney & sparkly, pre-game banner-raising ceremony, and FIREWORKS!) - what more could a Pens fan (any hockey fan for that matter) want?!!!

And WHAT A FIGHT (swinging fists to the background song of "Mother" by Danzig) - that was one HEAVYWEIGHT battle between Godard and Brashear - they DID NOT disappoint (I really think Godard got the best of Brasher - Godard skated off to the penalty box while Brashear headed to the locker room)!! And Godard - he was "on" last night in not only his role as an enforcer, but also as a hockey player - crashing the net and almost getting a goal not once, but TWICE - he looked really good overall. Hell, all of the Penguins looked good.

GODARD VS BRASHEAR (October 2, 2009)

The man of the game had to be Marc-Andre Fleury. He was ON FIRE even in the pre-game warmups (and I'm not kidding!)!! Towards the end of warmups, the players were gathered around the net, shooting the puck as fast and hard as they could keeping the pressure on him and Fleury was all over the place and the puck never got past him for which he received loud applause from the crowd -- and it was just pre-game!! He definitely gave us a preview of what was to come during the game.

Other mentionable player performances were from Alex Goligoski (if he continues to play like this, the kid is $$$ - definitely an offensive defensman), and Tyler Kennedy (TK) - he's a firecracker; big ball of lightening, that kid!! What he lacks in size, he makes up for in dedication, motivation, guts, grit, and energy!!


A great game, a great night, a great win, and a great way to put the final home-opening game for the Pens at the Igloo!

For right now, I can't quite figure how to embed videos (it hasn't been working for me), so links will have to do. Here are links to the Pens pre-game banner-raising ceremony:

PART 1
PART 2