Pens fans might be tough to knock off the bandwagon

by Link_Gaetz on Feb 23, 2010 8:23 AM EST

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10054/1037874-123.stm

I was very surprised to see that article this morning on PPG.com.

As I have said in the past, even during the dark years the Pens' TV ratings were strong. Nice to see the people of Pittsburgh really getting into all things hockey. I love it. I don't care if you have been watching hockey since you were three years old, or you just started getting into it after the lockout, it is always great when people truly realize what a fantastic game hockey is.

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Wow, another encouraging sign. The attendence was down in the lean years, but it’s difficult to pay thousands of dollars for season tickets and commit so much of your time to a team that can’t even compete and has to sell their stars away for pennies on the dollar.

Gary Bettman was wise to stand behind the Pittsburgh market. Almost everywhere in America is subject to the team winning, the local economy and building conditions in order to be solid. Good to see Pittsburgh is one of the strongest.

Pensburgh.com

Gary Roberts was born in a log cabin in North York, Ontario that he built with his own hands weeks in advance.

by Hooks Orpik on Feb 23, 2010 8:30 AM EST reply actions

Especially with a fringe sport like hockey.

Outside of some original six teams (Habs, Leafs, Red Wings, Rangers) and some other Canadien teams (’Nucks, Oilers, Flames), what team can you say is not made up of “bandwagon” fans?

I wish the term bandwagon was banished altogether. The NHL, and its entire fanbase, should welcome all fans.

by Link_Gaetz on Feb 23, 2010 8:35 AM EST up reply actions

Rising tide raises all ships.

One of my friends got hooked on hockey as recently as the Super Bowl Sunday Caps/Pens game. He’s a big time sports fan (he actually coaches a high school baseball team) and now he loves hockey. Even though he’s cheering for the Caps, I don’t mind, I’m always excited when good people get their eyes opened to the best sport in the world.

Pensburgh.com

Gary Roberts was born in a log cabin in North York, Ontario that he built with his own hands weeks in advance.

by Hooks Orpik on Feb 23, 2010 9:57 AM EST up reply actions

I lived in one of the city neighborhoods for a little over 10 years and heard stories from all the old-timers about how they used to go to Pens games before the 1990’s “corporate” takeover and the fans were all diehards then also. This is not a new thing in Pittsburgh. Even the Pirates still have a solid fan base, even if they don’t go to the games anymore. (16 years of losing will jade even the best fan) The Steelers season ticket waiting list is more than 10 years (that is how long I have been on the list and I still don’t have any), and the Penguins have over a year wait for the new arena form what I understand. The city of Pittsburgh has some of the best fans in the world, and we especially love our hockey.

by Ulf Murphy on Feb 23, 2010 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

That statistic says a lot about Pittsburgh’s loyalty, and demonstrates why it can sustain three major league teams even though it’s not the biggest city.

I don’t come from Pittsburgh, but once I decide I like something, it tends to stay liked for a very long time. I’m glad you’re welcoming toward newbie fans. NASCAR is what I grew up with, and I want to invite the whole world to the party! I love to see new fans get into it and help them along when I can. It’s good to see reminders that some hockey fans feel similarly.

"Darling, you say Brooks Orpik 'checked' that guy. He did not 'get under him and put him into the wall'."--Beloved to me, Winter 2007

Cocktails With the Penguins, where Pens fans toast victories and drown defeats.

by GreenEyedLilo on Feb 23, 2010 2:57 PM EST reply actions

I don’t care if you have been watching hockey since you were three years old, or you just started getting into it after the lockout, it is always great when people truly realize what a fantastic game hockey is.

The last sentence of this paragraph is so true. I just started watching hockey a couple of years ago, and I absolutely LOVE it now. Can’t get enough of it. It really is a great game.

by packallday555 on Feb 23, 2010 9:30 PM EST reply actions