A hockey game at the Mellon Arena is a treat for every one of a fan’s senses and appeals to all of them. On a cold, snowy evening, my Dad and I joined the throng of black and gold clad fans happily heading for Gate One. He wore his Penguin hat and I wore my traditional Lemieux jersey! The warmth inside the Igloo felt good and we could immediately smell the popcorn, pizza, nachos and other goodies. We walked around the concourse looking through the gift shop window at all the hockey items that were on sale, enjoying the atmosphere and camaraderie of the people and the constant buzz of the crowd anticipating the game.

We got to our seats just as the Zambonies started preparing the ice for the game. The music was loud and frenetic and as game time got closer, an old song called, "Boom, boom, out go the lights" started to play. On the last chorus of "out go the lights", the Arena turned as dark as the night outside and all the lights went out. The Pen’s theme music blared from the speakers as a laser show projected the Penguin logo onto the ice and on the roof of the Arena. The Jumbotron showed the players in the locker room getting ready for battle. Suddenly, the laser show stopped and a single spotlight shone brightly on the player’s entrance. The crowd erupted as the Pens took the ice. While all the players skated around, there was a slight pause, then the Captain, #68, burst into the spotlight and onto the ice to the delight of all the fans. A little boy behind us, maybe 8 years old,
excitedly screamed, "Look, Dad, there’s Jagr!" His dad was as excited
as the boy to see their hero.

While the Carolina Hurricanes unceremoniously took the ice, the announcer asked the fans to direct their attention to the runway for a special presentation. An official from the NHL was on hand to honor Jaromir Jagr for his recently scored 400th career goal. Jagr graciously accepted the gift, posed for a few brief photos, and skated back to the bench to a thunderous roar of approval from the assembled fans.

The game started and I was reminded of how much I enjoy hearing the sharp swish of the player’s skates as they fly over the ice; and the sounds of a hard pass hitting another stick; and hearing the players call out to each other, asking for the puck; and even the loud "clang" when the puck hits the pipes.

In this game, the officiating was horrendous and as the game wore on, the Penguin faithful were not shy about letting the refs know of their disapproval, of course to no avail.




There were plenty of chances for the Pens to score but Irbe, the Caroline goalie, was stopping everything that came his way. But as so often happens, Darius Kasparitis fired up the crowd with three huge hits on just one shift. He got a standing ovation from the blue-collar crowd as he headed for the bench, but before too long, Carolina was ahead in the game 2-0.

Between periods Dad and I shared some nachos, enjoying the spicy taste of jalapenos as we watched intermission activities.

Finally in the third period, Jiri Slegr squeezed a shot between two players. This one was a shot that Irbe didn’t see and couldn’t stop, for the Pens lone goal of the game. A deafening cheer rang out as Slegr bounced against the glass in celebration! In our section, it was high-fives all around! Now the crowd was pumped and vocal, chanting, "Let’s Go, Pens" as one voice trying to spur the team on to tie the 2-1 game.

Again the Pens had many chances but couldn’t tie it up. Carolina remains a mystery that Pittsburgh has trouble solving.

We headed back out into the biting cold, disappointed with the loss, but having had another exciting sensory experience at the Igloo. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world and can’t wait to go to another game soon.