What a year it's been for Pensburgh...on so many levels....

by ahtrap on Jun 18, 2009 3:24 PM EDT

Thinking back to "happier" times for myself, I went looking for the game thread from last year's SCF clinching game.

The Link posted here is to the Pensburgh game thread for last year's Stanley Cup clincher, June 4, 2008, the night the Red Wings won their 11th Stanley Cup, and, given the events of last Friday night, a lifetime, and then some away, now.

I'm sharing the link for a couple of reasons. Not only am I trying alleviate the hockey depression that's befallen me the past week (beyond checking out a few highlights, peeking at a couple of SBN blogs, and reading some of your fanposts, haven't really paid attention much to the post series goings on, as might be expected), but also, to highlight the incredible growth of Pensburgh over the past 12 months. If you look at that game thread, you'll see approximately 8 posters, including D.O. from Die by the Blade (Sabres), Mike @ MHH (Avalanche), Rangers fan cityhockeyfever, Seattle football guy SSReporters, and three Red Wings fans. Outside of a first minute cameo from a "Rather Dashing", Frank was the only primarily Pens fan in the building.

We got to 335 comments on the night, not a bad number for the number of people we had, and it was a lively enough, and above all polite time, which was part of the reason I came back and stuck around all this year....but the point I'm really trying to make here is perhaps best seen by taking a look at the game thread of game 7 of this year's SCF, or, really, for any of the game threads all along during the playoffs, where this Pittsburgh Penguins blog was amply represented by Pittsburgh Penguin fans.

It's more than slightly ironic that, as a Red Wings fan foremost, I can still say, in a crotchety old man's voice, that "I was here when...." Bottom line, though, having been witness to the growth of this website over the past year, here's a hearty congrats to Frank, and Hooks and JD and Lavender, and to all the rest of you crazy Pens fans....

The content expressed in fanposts does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff here at Pensburgh.com. FanPosts are opinions expressed by fans of various teams throughout the league but may be more Pittsburgh-centric for obvious reasons.

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Note: don’t actually click that link to the game 7 thread, it takes for frickin ever to load up 1200+ comments :)

by ahtrap on Jun 18, 2009 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks man, I really appreciate it.

I’ve been beyond flattered with the growth of the Pensburgh community over the past few months. I started this site as a labor of love back in July 2007 before making the full-time switch to SBN in December 2k7. Primarily the goal was to create a community of Penguins fans to come and chat about Pitt, but my secondary interest was set in building a platform for hockey fans to have a place to discuss all aspects of the game regardless of team affiliation. To be completely honest with ya, I just wanted to have some fun.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jun 18, 2009 4:30 PM EDT reply actions

I’m one of the newbies here and I have to say that this site is a relief, i.e. nice change from the rest of the vulgar sites that pollute the “hockey world” on the net.

This coming from someone who can’t stop cussing at home even though I have a 6 month old baby. All in due time.

Pens Forever!

by AZpenzFan on Jun 18, 2009 5:17 PM EDT reply actions

nice change from the rest of the vulgar sites that pollute the "hockey world" on the net.

Thanks a lot. That’s exactly what I shoot for on here. I wanted something a bit different. I’m glad you stumbled this way and hope ya stick around for a while.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jun 18, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I found the site near the start of the Playoffs this year, and man it was like a breath of fresh air in a rest stop outhouse.

Every other message board/comment site you go too there are (what seems to be) infinite trolls that pop up and serve no other purpose than to tempt you to claw your eyes out in frustration.

Thanks FrankD et al who have made the board what it is today, I feel fortunate to have found this little gem of a site. Someone else (was it you ahtrap?) said: “This place is an oasis” and they couldn’t have been more right.

We also need to tip our hats to the Penguins continuing to win, that always helps build the fanbase.

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington

by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jun 18, 2009 7:35 PM EDT reply actions

We also need to tip our hats to the Penguins continuing to win, that always helps build the fanbase.

True that. But on the contrary, our buddies over at Pension Plan Puppets do an outstanding job as well and hey, they haven’t won anything in 40+ years. (PPP/Chemmy if you’re reading – that was actually a compliment). Sometimes it really just comes down to the hardcore fans. Both Pitt and Toronto have plenty of those.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jun 18, 2009 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I came so late this (post)season—started lurking during the semifinals. But I’m learning more about the behind-the-scenes business, and it’ll be awesome to cheer and groan with Pens fans all over North America next season. I’m so glad I followed the link from Puck Daddy! Thank you for this place!

A line on an NCIS rerun last night seemed to pretty much encapsulate the Pens’ success this year to me, and so I found a less vulgar signature to stay within the spirit of this place. ;-)

"Miracles require hard work."--Agent Gibbs, NCIS

by GreenEyedLilo on Jun 19, 2009 9:45 AM EDT reply actions

I am also new

I started over on the “BucsDugout” and to migh sheer delight I was afforded access to “Behind the Steel Curtain” and here at “PensBurgh.” It is quite an elixer for the home sickness blues. As for me, I am stuck here in Maryland (close to Balt) and must deal constantly with Caps and Ravens fans. I LOVE when we beat the Caps.

Thanks for this site, I am thankful also for the intelligent and thoughtful banter as opposed to the vulgar disoriented blogs of late.

PF13

by Piratefan13 on Jun 19, 2009 12:32 PM EDT reply actions

Why the heck did I spell "my," "migh" Jeez.....

by Piratefan13 on Jun 19, 2009 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

I forgot to mention

I am from Fineview on the NorthSide (close to the Channel 11 tower)

by Piratefan13 on Jun 19, 2009 12:34 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks for that, ahtrap!

Let's go Pens!

by JDunman on Jun 19, 2009 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

A Hockey Oasis of sorts

Well it is nice to actually discuss Hockey rather than fight with Trollz who want to bash each other’s city or claim the League is rigged and Gary Bettman, The Refs and a bunch of Aliens from the Planet Altar are in a conspiracy to hand the Penguins a Stanley Cup. So it is a breath of fresh air to have found Pensburgh. Enjoy the discussion keep up the good work.

by Dutch71 on Jun 20, 2009 3:57 PM EDT reply actions

Good stuff Frank, Hooks, and the whole bunch. We’re lucky to have you!

The Litter Box - Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jun 20, 2009 6:16 PM EDT reply actions

it’s good here from a ’Caniac pov………no trolls (not even Ahtrap), and a allowance of other fans here during games…..glad I found ya and Canes Country…….refreshing adult conversations without the preteen bs that I have seen on other boards! keep it going and see ya next season……(unless ya are playing the ’Canes………)

by lrcaniac on Jun 20, 2009 10:02 PM EDT reply actions