The final regular season game at Mellon Arena: John Tavares, not Rick DiPietro and the New York Islanders
by FrankD on Apr 8, 2010 7:00 AM EDT
in 2009-10 game previews
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Print[SBN New York Islanders blog - Lighthouse Hockey]
Record: 34-35-10 (11th in the East)
Scorers: John Tavares (22g, 27a), Kyle Okposo (17g, 30a), Matt "Pass me a" Moulson (27g, 18a)
At long last the regular season at Mellon Arena come to an end. Sure, there will be playoff hockey for one last run. Maybe even a Cup to close out the barn and send things across the street. But by the end of tonight's game, win or loss, the Pens will never play another regular season game at Mellon. Right now that might just bring a shrug of the shoulders, but come the conclusion of the playoffs (wherever they may lead Pittsburgh) I'm sure we'll be hearing a different song.
Before the season even started I was pretty confident John Tavares would pick up at least 50 points in his inaugural season. I think I put the ceiling at something like 65, but I was pretty confident he'd at least reach the 50 point plateau. As of right now, Tavares stands just one point shy of that mark and, in all likelihood, will pick up his 50th point some time over the next three games. Seeing as how he recorded his first point ever against the Pens, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he did it tonight.
In any case, the Islanders are out of the playoff picture, but you wouldn't know that from their recent string of games. You know, the three in a row they've won since the start of the month. Philly, Ottawa, Montreal - all are teams bound for the postseason (we include Philly for now) and all three have lost to Islanders over the past week. Hopefully the Pens don't throw themselves into that mix as well.
So how about it? Let's see the Penguins close out this last regular season game with a 'W.' No kiddin around. No playing two of the three periods. I want 60 minutes of hockey. Nonstop hitting. If the Pens get the lead I want them to keep putting their top players out there. No mercy. No surrender. Make a memory and etch it into the Islanders' brain till next season and smack them around again at Consol Energy Center. Who knows when or where the road comes to an end? All I know is that the Pens still have more hockey to play and there's still a chance to claim that big, shiny cup waiting at the end of it.
Puck and thread at 7:30.
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What timing for Dylan Reese. First game back home in the Igloo and its the last reg season game there ever. Thats got to be quite exciting. Hes actually looked pretty good the last few games I’ve seen. Hopefully hes landed a spot for next year. I know shoot me I’ve watched some Islander games lately.
Anyway, Im not sure what exactly is planned for the 50 alumni back in town. Im 99% sure Jagr is back for this, I will be curious to see how the fans will react if he is announced.
May I just make a plea to fellow Pens fans. For 1 night forget how it ended, and just remember all the great memories Jags had it the Igloo. Some of the most memorable games and moments of the old barn happend on the stick of 68. Enjoy it for one last night. No Boos just cheers, cuz that 68 belongs in the rafters at Consol.
by genomachine-O on Apr 8, 2010 7:38 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Agree let’s show some class, and honor all the alumni for the great hockey , that we were fortunate to see. Think about some other fans in other venues. Some have never been able to see the home team win anything significant. We had tree cups in the last 20 years. Jagr played great hockey for the Pens. The circumstances that lead to his departure, didn’t have much to do with anything other than the economic situation of the team at the time. Most of this people that boo him, would have done the same in there jobs if they have been offered more money. Agree with Genomachine, this is a time to celebrate and remember the great times that we witnessed in this great old building.
So how about it? Let’s see the Penguins close out this last regular season game with a ‘W.’ No kiddin around. No playing two of the three periods. I want 60 minutes of hockey. Nonstop hitting. If the Pens get the lead I want them to keep putting their top players out there. No mercy. No surrender.
Very well said, this is the time to get the momentum going. Plus the last regular season game at the Igloo should be a HUGE motivating factor for every person on the Pens. Send it off now (and through the playoffs) with the respect it deserves!
Agreed. Everyone that sits in that locker room needs to come prepared, from players to coaches. This is the end all be all in sense, and if we lose to the Isles, we got real problems and worries then.
A little off topic (I’m throwing it in here because of what GenotheGreat said about players past/present/future) but I was looking through The Hockey News at Barnes and Noble yesterday, and they had the top 50 prospects for 2010. The Pens didn’t have one on that list, but the Coyotes apparently have a very scary group of youngsters coming up.
"Half the game is mental, the other half is being mental." - Jim McKenny
The still havent decided what to do with the Igloo.
by genomachine-O on Apr 8, 2010 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I know the game is on at 7:30 on the NHL Network, but I want to see the ceremony.
What time does the ceremony officially start? Does anyone know if the NHL Network is planning on showing it?
Tom McMillan said 7:00 ceremonies start. IDK about NHL Network
by genomachine-O on Apr 8, 2010 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
NHL network is showing it
Their coverage is supposed to begin at 630
I was surprised by how emotional I felt at the idea that this is the last Mellon Arena home game. About five years ago, I had no idea what a Mellon Arena even was. (Insert joke about “bandwagon fan” who “smells like new Penguins jersey” here.) I’m glad I made the trip and attended two games there this winter.
I really, really, really hope that the Penguins do right by their fans and make this one count! The Islanders are doing decent right now and have a lot to play for, though they’re out of the playoffs. I usually cheer for them against other teams just because I don’t want the Rangers to end up being our only NYC-area team. (I know some people count the Devils as one, too, but I don’t.) This time, I’m with FrankD. No mercy, Penguins. NONE. Go out with a bang!!!
"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.
What is this Mellon Arena you speak of. Oh you mean the Civic Arena. All joking aside I too will miss the old barn. I remember my first game where the Pens played the Devils and I couldn’t get enough of making fun of their Christmas color scheme (I was too young to really know how to talk trash). Going to games with my friend’s ex-penguin dad. Being in the stands while they filmed Sudden Death. Watching Mario come out of retirement. Many a date with my wife via the fantastic student rush program. Making sure that Carey Price knew that I feel he is overrated and on and on.
Fare well Civic Arena, It’s been fun.
Pregame ceremony
I’ve seen a few mentions of this above. Fans have been asked to be in their seats by 7:20 PM as the ceremony will start a few minutes after that.
CapsAreNotMyDaddy
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 8, 2010 3:19 PM EDT reply actions
Or maybe not
According to this story, the ceremony will begin at 6:30 and will be carried live by NHL Network, followed by puck drop at 7:30.
This seems a little odd since the gates don’t open until 6 PM. That isn’t giving people much time to be in their seats.
CapsAreNotMyDaddy
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 8, 2010 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
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