'See you at center ice'
The Pittsburgh Penguins win
their 3rd Stanley Cup
My buddy from
Arlington, Virginia and I email back and forth about Pittsburgh
sports. He lived here long enough to always be a big Pittsburgh
sports fan.... Steelers, Penguins, Pirates.
Of course living that close to Washington, DC he really gets it from
the local boys about how great the Capitals are. During the Penguins
run up to their 3rd Stanley Cup, they went down 2-0 in the series
against the Caps, and things looked grim. My buddy shared that
skepticism with me prior to game 3.
I said, "Well, maybe they shouldn't even bother lacing up their
skates." In my few brief words he clearly understood,
just give up
the series and admit defeat? But as we now know, the Penguins not
only went down 2-0 in the series with the Capitals and won, they
also went down 2-0 in the final run for the 2009 Stanley Cup with the Redwings
and prevailed in a tenacious fashion.
Some of the insights of that final best of seven are now coming to
light in the media. It turns out Mario Lemieux, none other than 'Le
Magnifique' sent a text message to all the Pens players at
the peak of their humiliation following the skunking they took from
the Redwings in game 5...
"We are a
family and in this together. We don't need anyone that is only with
us WIN or TIE. I really think this is our year. Let's forget about
tonight ... It happens. We will win Tuesday and win the Cup Friday."
The Pens went on to
win game 6 that Tuesday.
The final text
message from Mario helped seal the deal, one he sent the team on the
morning of game 7...
"This is
a chance of a lifetime to realize your childhood dream to win a
Stanley Cup. Play without fear and you will be successful! See you
at center ice."
The Penguins won a thrilling game 7
as the club earned their 3rd Stanley Cup. They also brought
Pittsburgh the distinction of being the first city to be the home of a
Super Bowl trophy and a Stanley Cup, making Pittsburgh once again
the 'City of Champions.'
Congratulations to the World Champion
Pittsburgh Penguins!
Lord
Stanley is back in Pittsburgh!
MORE
Big East
Conference
Big Ten
sports
The world's football roots are in
Pittsburgh mud
More sports
blogs |
