I have a limited history of in-person attendance for Penguins games in Pittsburgh. In fact, I've seen the Penguins play in Carolina more times than I've seen them play in the Steel City.
The Penguins are winless against the Hurricanes in games I attend, however, on the very few occasions I've had the blessing of seeing the Penguins on home ice, they've done some pretty substantial things.
Why do I say this?
Well, I get the chance to attend the game today.
The Penguins would probably much rather lose this game than win it, given their tanking aspirations - which are equally as likely as they are unlikely.
But you who might be rooting for a Penguins loss are entitled to know that my attendance record for Penguins games in Pittsburgh is 2-0-0, and those two games were quite memorable.
Matt Cooke Ends Marc Savard at the Igloo
My Penguins fandom began in 2008 when the Penguins made their first run to the Stanley Cup since the days of Mario. I watched as the young, baby-faced Penguins stood up to the Evil Empire Detroit Red Wings, ultimately falling in seven games.
The next season they won it all and my fandom was secure. I became a Penguins fan for life.
In 2010 when it was announced the iconic Igloo (Mellon Arena) was in its final year as the Penguins' home, my dad decided to get me to a game at the iconic arena before our family moved to North Carolina that summer.
On March 7, 2010, the 29-23-11 Boston Bruins came to town to take on the 39-22-4 Pittsburgh Penguins.
A scoreless first period was quickly upended by a quick power play goal by Boston's Blake Wheeler early in the second frame, but then Pascal Dupuis beat two time Vezina trophy winner Tim Thomas to even the score at one.
Evgeni Malkin broke the tie to start the 3rd period, giving the Penguins a 2-1 lead that would hold to be the final score in a Penguins win.
While footage of those goals or Marc-Andre Fleury's 21 save performance are hard to come by, there is a clip from that game that still exists today. See for yourself (warning: ugly hit shown).
You'll find this clip on supercuts of Matt Cooke questionable hits, and this one was a devastating blow to the career of Marc Savard.
Savard was taken off the ice on a stretcher and didn't return to the ice for two months after this hit. While he did come back for the playoffs and scored an overtime goal in his first game back, his career was never the same and he played just a handful of games in the 2010-11 season, ending his career.
Being that it was my first in-person hockey game, it really rocked me to the core seeing a grown man lie motionless like that, but it taught me just how unforgiving and cruel the sport is. This hit actually spearheaded the NHL's effort to eliminate blindside hits from the game.
I don't condone what Matt Cooke did, and even Cooke regrets what he did, but it was a memorable first experience in Pittsburgh - one that wouldn't be followed up until 12 years later.
2022 First Round - Game 4
After moving to North Carolina, it was pretty much impossible to get to Pittsburgh to see Penguins games on home ice, but that changed when my dad and I found ourselves back in Pittsburgh visiting family in the summer of 2022.
Knowing our proximity and availability, we got upper deck tickets to Game 4 against the New York Rangers with the Penguins up 2-1 in the First Round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
This was during the magical run of Louis Domingue fresh off his spicy pork and broccoli Game 1 overtime magic. After a big 7-4 win in Game 3, the chance was there for Pittsburgh to go up 3-1 in the series.
Things didn't start well as the Rangers got out to a quick lead two minutes in, but then, the Captain got the Penguins on the board with a stuff in that was confirmed after a review.
Goal horn. Party Hard. PPG Paints Arena was rocking.
And the party got even harder.
In the 2nd period, Mike Matheson scored, then Jake Guentzel scored, then Mark Friedmen of all people. Goals on goals against Igor Shesterkin and the chanting began.
The Rangers got one back, but then the dam busted again. Both Danton Heinen and Jeff Carter scored to cap off an onslaught of a period.
What time is it? Six past Igor. Time to pull the goalie amidst the deafening chants from the rowdy Pittsburgh crowd.
The Penguins went on to win 7-2 and put the series on thin ice, going up 3-1 headed back to New York. Unfortunately, insightful Penguins fans know the sad reality of what comes next.
This is, to date, the last playoff game the Pittsburgh Penguins have won.
With Jacob Trouba knocking Sidney Crosby out of Game 6, the Rangers dirtied their way to a series comeback to knock Pittsburgh out of the playoffs. For the fourth straight year, the Penguins were a first round exit.
My Return Today
It's a sad reality knowing that I attended the last Penguins playoff win by pure luck and happenstance.
Fortune has given me an opportunity to go today, and I'm going moreso out of duty rather than fandom.
Right now, it would seem as though team support is dying, especially with the Penguins' failure to make the playoffs in three straight seasons. It's understandable, but at the same time it's not.
If you put off going to a game - a chance to see Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang on the ice wearing black and gold - then you're risking a whole lot.
Who says some dirty menace doesn't lay a hit on Sid like Matt Cooke did on Marc Savard all those years ago? What if these nagging injuries plaguing Geno get the best of him sooner than later? What if Tanger decides it's time to hang them up without warning?
Would you be able to live with yourself knowing you could have gone and seen our city's legends one more time?
It doesn't matter that the game is meaningless and that it's probably better the Penguins lose. Not to me. To me it's a blessing to be surrounded by yinzers who don black and gold sweaters chanting "Let's Go Pens!" when the horn sounds, then singing along to Party Hard after goals.
If you live near Pittsburgh, cherish the opportunity to go to games. Go to games for those of us that can't, but want to desperately.
Hockey is best viewed in person, and I can count 87 reasons why you should head dahntahn and take in a game when you have the resources to. And as for playoff games, spend the money and go. You never know when they'll be back.
When the bells tolls on the careers of our legends, don't regret the games you neglected to go to. Enjoy it while it's still here. All-time greats and Stanley Cups don't grow on trees.