There are only so many tricks in the bag when you’re hosting an outdoor hockey game; at the bottom of it all, the draw remains, “Hey, we’re playing hockey outside!” There aren’t a ton of ways to dress that up, and no need to try all that hard.
Still, the Penguins tried — and they brought real Penguins. Seven of them, actually. They flipped around on the “auxiliary rink” at Heinz Field, which was positioned on the far side of the actual rink.
Their names: Crosby, Kessel, Kunitz, Letang, Malkin, Murray and Sully. Get it? They were born at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium last year.
Thankfully, there wasn’t a penguin named Steckel around to shoulder Crosby the penguin in the head.
Also, since we’re at Heinz, the pregame stuff also featured “Renegade.” Twice. Also, Antonio Brown briefly held a microphone.
The jig is up, the news is out - it's finally STADIUM SERIES TIME! pic.twitter.com/RxlebFdAV7
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 26, 2017
Train is coming up after the first period. Can’t wait!
Sean Gentille: sgentille@post-gazette, Twitter: @seangentille.
First Published: February 26, 2017, 1:40 a.m.
