Now, that’s not trying to be disrespectful at all. A good, powerful, controversial headline draws the reader to the article. Welcome aboard.
Last week, it was a hockey night in Pittsburgh on two different occasions, as the Penguins kicked off its season with two wins over the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres. Sidney Crosby, Chuck Kobasew and Craig Adams — yes, that Craig Adams — are all on pace to score 82 goals this year. Marc-Andre Fleury has looked great between the pipes, as he’s trying to prove himself to his teammates and city.
It’s a great start for the team that was swept by the Boston Bruins last year in the playoffs. The thing is, does anyone care or notice yet?
In the opening game against the Devils, you could hear a pin drop. The place was so quiet, that no real noise was made until the third period. With about three minutes left in the game, the place was half empty. C’mon, man.
The truth is, hockey season is just too long. When it’s 82 degrees out, it doesn’t feel like it’s hockey season. Give it until December, and it’ll actually feel like hockey season when people will pay attention.
Even then, the fan base is so spoiled that the regular season is sort of an exhibition for Pens fans. Seriously, the team has made the playoffs every year since 2006-2007, so that’s when it matters to fans. Don’t think so? Ask someone about Fleury’s early success, and they’ll say it doesn’t matter what he does now, let’s see what he does in the spring.
There’s also the relevancy of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates are one win away from the NLCS — that still feels weird typing — and the city is on fire. Despite the two decades of misery suffered by the fans, baseball has always remained No. 2 in Pittsburgh. The rank has always been and always will be football, baseball then hockey.
Don’t believe me?
When the Pirates suffered their losing seasons, they were still able to draw fans throughout the course of their 162-game season. Remember when the Penguins were bad pre-Sid? It was nothing to walk up to the ticket window, drop $20 and sit right behind the glass.
And let’s not forget about the Steelers. Despite the 0-4 record, the Steelers trump the Pirates and the Penguins. The Steelers could be 0-7, while the Penguins play the Flyers and the Pirates are in the World Series. The ratings for the Steelers would still be higher.
It’s not your fault or the Penguins fault; it’s just how it is. Give it a few months, and the Pens will be the main show in town.
