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Fans rally as Penguins prepare for Game 6
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Downtown workers and Penguins' fans from the across the city gathered for a pep rally today to support the team before tonight's must-win game.
Fans lined up for free food from local restaurants, including black and gold cookies from Eat 'n Park, ice cream from Turkey Hill and pulled pork burritos from Qdoba Mexican Grill -- the same lucky burrito Penguins Coach Dan Bylsma eats before every home game.
Thomas Jefferson High School marching band provided rally music, and cheerleaders from Keystone Oaks, Montour and Thomas Jefferson high schools led the crowd in chants. Thomas Jefferson art students also face painted numbers of fans' favorite players in black and gold.
Named "Penguins March to the Cup Rally" by County Executive Dan Onorato and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, the event was scheduled to start at noon, but fans were rallying in advance.
Brenda Psotka, a Pittsburgh native now of Lexington, Ky., arrived Downtown with her nephew, Patrick McCracken of Washington, Pa., at 10:30 a.m. to see the players walking into Mellon Arena for practice. While they didn't quite catch any of the players, they did see Evgeni Malkin's father. That was OK with Ms. Psotka, who referred to Vladimir Malkin as a "rock star."
Ms. Psotka and Patrick got to the rally shortly after 11:30 a.m. and many fans were already gathered.
Ms. Psotka predicted that the Penguins will beat the Red Wings tonight 4-1. Her nephew disagreed.
"I think they're going to beat 'em 5-2," he said.
If they don't win, the Penguins will be eliminated because Detroit leads the Stanley Cup final three games to two in the best-of-seven series.
Tonight's game will start at 8.
First Published June 9, 2009 2:04 pm
