Pens play last game at Mellon Arena
Written by Heidi Pope Werner, Thursday April 08 2010
The Pittsburgh Penguins will play their last game in Mellon Arena tonight hosting the New York Islanders. Pittsburgh fans will witness the last of the Pens 1,667 regular-season games. More than 50 former Penguins players will return to commemorate the landmark event, including Jaromir Jagr and Andy Bathgate, who scored the franchise’s first goal on Oct. 11, 1967.
Affectionately known as the Igloo, the 49-year old arena was a an engineering marvel featuring a retractable steel roof. Originally built for the Civic Light Opera, the Pens took over in 1967 when the NHL doubled its size through expansion. The wife of co-owner Jack McGregor suggested naming the team the Penguins due to the structure already being referred to as the Big Igloo. The new Consol Energy Center is being erected across the street from Mellon Arena.
Significant historical events include Mario Lemieux’s arrival as a No. 1 draft pick in 1984, and the draft picks of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jaromir Jagr. Lemieux has been the most prominent personality at Mellon Arena as both a player and as the Penguins’ co-owner. The Penguins won three Stanley Cups in 1991, 1992, and 2009.
“They (opposing players) hate this building because the visitors’ locker room is so bad. They hate to dress here. They hate to play here,” Penguins forward Max Talbot said. “It’s another advantage for us.”
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2 comments
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All the fanfare happened last night,for the regular season.That's really what the celebrated was about.Would have loved to attend that game!
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What about the playoffs?