The Pittsburgh Penguins have played in a lot of outdoor hockey games since 2008, when they first squared off against the Buffalo Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Pens have also played at Soldier Field, Fenway Park, and Lincoln Financial Field, but they've also spent plenty of time at Heinz Field (now Acrisure Stadium).
Because it's a cold-weather city, Pittsburgh isn't hosting a Super Bowl any time soon, but heck, it's got its Lombardi Trophies, so the fans are happy with that. Still, it doesn't take away from the Super Bowl-like atmosphere that you get, and it's something you can't get when they're playing indoors.
That's not a knock on PPG Paints Arena, but an endorsement of just how sacred it is to play outdoor hockey games in a city that boasts an incredible skyline and whose downtown is nestled on a peninsula where three rivers meet, surrounded by towering, rolling hills.
Hey, and in the winter time, even if there's no snow on the ground, it's just beyond scenic. And take it from someone who stood on the field's surface 21 years ago as part of the Tri-State Kick-Off for a high school football game that saw my team struggle to a 34-0 loss. Still, it was surreal, seeing everything from that point of view.
Outdoor games in the Steel City transcend hockey for Penguins fans
Of course, larger crowds bring massive amounts of energy to the table here, even for a smaller venue like Acrisure Stadium, which seats around 67,000. But imagine being the road team and skating in front of a fanbase in a city that's considered one of the best in hockey.
The games have featured acts from local bands and artists, giving it even more of a homegrown feel, and the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium have brought actual penguins named after players and coaches to the event.
But it's not just local bands, since Styx joined the show in 2011 and played the ever-familiar song "Renegade." A lot of Penguin fans also root for the Steelers, and "Renegade" brings a sense of connection between two of professional sports' more popular franchises.
It shows just how much of a hockey town the Steel City has become, even if the Pens aren't in the Original Six. And it tells us that you don't need to be an Original Six franchise to break into that top-tier of popularity, something the five-time Stanley Cup Champions have proven time and again.
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