PSR Showdown
Bigger Deal: Pens Run for the Cup, or Rocco vs. Tiger?
By Paul Alexander
FSN Pittsburgh

Boys of Winter

It was during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit that I realized just how far the Penguins had come. That was when Tom McMillan, the Penguins vice president for communications, told me there were 13,000 Penguin fans at Mellon Arena to watch a game being played in Detroit.

So as much as I love Rocco Mediate and his wonderful father; no matter how hard I was pulling for him against the greatest golfer of all time; regardless of how he became an overnight, national sensation: Roc, you just couldn't overtake the six week run that the Penguins gave us.

The Penguins completely dominated the city and the entire region. After being dominated by the Senators in the playoffs a year ago, there was some genuine trepidation about facing the Sens again. A four game sweep dismissed those fears and energized the masses.

You could feel the energy gathering.

The Rangers and the Flyers were simply in the way.

Unfortunately, FSN Pittsburgh couldn't televise playoff games after the second round, but the national telecasts showcased our great city and the announcers lauded the talents of Pittsburgh's great team.

The Penguins truly were a great representation of our great city. Despite being overmatched by the powerful Red Wings, Pittsburgh never quit. Game 5, the unreal triple overtime thriller, was an instant classic and a tremendous testament to the will and determination of this young and talented hockey team.

This city won't soon forget what these young flightless birds almost did.

Emerging from (another) bankruptcy and a very uncertain future, the Penguins sold out every game and have to add people to the ever-growing waiting list for season tickets.

The Pens gave this sports-crazed town a run for the ages. Detroit may indeed be Hockeytown, and with 11 Stanley Cups they've earned that distinction. But don't think for moment that this isn't one great hockey town as well.

And it says here that this past season was just the beginning.

Just like Ron Burgandy in the movie Anchorman, the Penguins are a pretty big deal in this town.