Editorial: Sensational Sidney / Proof that hockey is about performance, not arenas
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Much of the focus on keeping the Penguins in Pittsburgh has to do with replacing the aging confines of Mellon Arena, the oldest facility used by the National Hockey League. Who will pay and how much are the questions batted around daily on what it will take to cement this struggling, yet popular, team to the city.
But the events of Monday night were proof that hockey is not about what casino operators are likely to commit toward construction of a new arena or, in the alternative, what the taxpaying public is willing to endure to erect a modern facility. It's about performance on the ice.
Sidney Crosby, the rookie phenom who has already captured the hearts of Penguins fans, skated his way into the record books on the last home game of the season. At the tender age of 18 years and 253 days, he became the youngest NHL player to reach 100 points -- a seasonal scoring threshold attained only by the game's elite players.
When the achievement came in the second period on the way to a 6-1 rout of the New York Islanders, pandemonium broke out and play was stopped for five minutes. It was one thing for Mr. Crosby to be named the Penguins' Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player, but those awards pale against the league record and what the teenager's scoring output bodes for the future.
This city's hockey fans deserve the thrills. Despite another dreary season and last-place divisional finish, Penguins devotees showed their love for the game and the team Monday with their 12th sellout of the season. With an average attendance of 15,804 this year, Pittsburgh's hockey faithful filled the arena to 93.3 percent of capacity.
Put another way, that's a lot of hot dogs, paid parking and revenue to the city. Regardless of whether the Penguins deserve a new arena, Penguins fans certainly do. They fill the house and come Downtown to spend money, whether the team is flying high or struggling.
This season, the team had yet to get its competitive act together. But Sidney Crosby, like Mario Lemieux before him, has been a sight to behold. For those who live to follow the puck, it will be a long summer -- till the Penguins return and begin their rise to the top.
First Published April 19, 2006 12:00 am
