Last night was both the final home opener at Mellon arena, and the first game since the Pens won the Stanley Cup in June. I mentioned previously after the Steelers home opener that I was pretty disapointed in the minimal Super Bowl Celebration at Heinz Field. I was hoping the Pens would get it right. And they did.
The Steelers/NBC had the Black Eyed Peas and Tim McGraw outside their opener.
The Pens, they had Mario’s “TV”. Even the rain didn’t keep the faithful from coming out.
Inside, the copy of iceTIME magazine featured Sidney Crosby rasing the Cup on the cover, along with articles on their 2009-2010 title defense and past Stanley Cup champion teams. There was also a free replica Stanley Cup Champion banner giveaway.
Promptly at 7:25, the lights were lowered, and crates of trophys were wheeled onto the ice. Two videos were played briefly on the arena ceiling of the key moments from Game 7, before giant sheets dropped from the jumbotron at center ice. A 6 or 7 minute video recapping the Pens improbable run that started with a drubbing in Toronto (that led to the firing of Coach Thierrien, and the hiring of Dan Bylesma), to earning a playoff spot, to home ice advantage in the first round, and all the way through the playoffs.
Here’s the video I shot on my iPhone 3GS from section C11:
Click on the video to see the other 4 videos I took of the rest of the ceremony.
At the conclusion of the video, the sheets dropped to the ice to reveal the Stanley Cup in the middle of the ice! One by one the players were introduced in number order. Instead of the traditional runway, they skated out under a sea of neon lights and fog from the zamboni entrance. I was pleased to see “chicca chicca superstar” Max Talbot receive by far the loudest ovation (outside of Sidney Crosby, of course).
Finally the players were brought over to the runway where Mario Lemieux, Ron Burkle, and the rest of the Pens front office were standing to raise the Championship banner.
All in, the Penguins organization put together a fantastic 20 minute celebration of the ’08-’09 season and Stanley Cup Championship. The team, and the crowed loved every minute of it. I was lucky enough to have had tickets, and am hoping to see many more fireworks this season.
