Great Season Pens!

So it's hard to believe that it's been over a week since I posted to my blog. Trust me when I say, I've been that busy. So I guess I should back up a week, and start with last Sunday. Talk about a busy day. I was up really early, and in the saddle by 7:30 AM. Matt Mauclair and I set off on a 4 hour ride, and man was it a good one. We rode up the ridge and I took Matt up 3 mile hill. It was a great ride. After I got home I didn't have much time to get ready and head to Detroit for game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Three of my buddies from work picked me up at 3PM and were were off. Sunday night we stayed in Windsor Canada and spent the night out at the bars (not typically my cup of tea) but it was fun just to mix it up for a change. Knowing that Eagleman was only a week away, I was good and only had a beer or two. Monday morning came all so fast, and we packed up our bags and headed back across the border into the Unites States. We drove that morning to the Joe Louis Arena in hopes for some last minute sights of the Penguins. After the Pens morning skate, we got to see the Pen's load the players bus. We also ran into some other famous people such as Bob Errey (pictured below and was on both 1991 & 1992 Pens Cup winning teams) and we also chatted with Bob Pompiani (a local sports broadcaster).

After we left the arena, the four of us headed to Hockey Town. Hockey Town is a restaurant in Detroit devoted to Detroit Red Wings Hockey. We ate lunch and hung out there all afternoon. It was really cool being in enemy territory. We got harassed, but it was all in good fun.


After we spent the afternoon at Hockey Town were were off to the game. The Penguins were on the verge of elimination as the Red Wings were up in the best of seven series three games to one.
I call this picture, 'Walking Through the Gauntlet". Chris felt the need to antagonize every Red Wing fan in Detroit.


The game started off on the right foot as the Pens took an early 2-0 lead going into the 2nd period. However Detroit being a solid hockey team bounced back and with a minute to go in the game were leading the Pens 3-2. Everyone in the building thought it was over. The celebration in Detroit had already begun. That all changed with 34 seconds to go on the clock. Max Talbot scored to tie the game and put the series into sudden death overtime.


The game went on well past midnight waiting for someone to score. Finally Petr Sykora buried a pass from Malkin in the third overtime to win the game for the Pens forcing a game six back in the burgh. It was a great game and were glad to support the hometown team on the road in Detroit.
Game six of the series was back in Pittsburgh at Mellon Arena.

The entire city was nervous, but we thought the Pen's could force a game seven and even possibly win the cup. The arena was ecstatic. Then energy level was out of this world. Again I went to the game with the same three guys, but also was lucky to run into my friends Jim and Shawn. We spent the pre-game in the igloo club (thanks to the Westinghouse tickets).


The game was a tough battle, but needless to say the Red Wings prevailed, and won the game, the series 4-2, and were crowned the 2008 Stanley Cup Champions.


As the Wings hoisted the cup, fans yelled out "LETS GO PENS" chants. Although we lost the cup it was a great year for this young team. And trust me when I say, we will be back many times in the years to come. Again great season Pens!

posted by Chad Holderbaum @ 7:44 AM Comments: 0