It is a great time to be a sports fan in Pittsburgh, or at least I think. Because this is a football town, there is no dearth of coverage almost the entire year, so I can get my fill of my favorite sport. For the past few weeks, the talk has been about the draft. How did the Steelers do this year? From the view of a fan, but a novice nonetheless, I think pretty well. I was surprised they took a running back in the first round, but if this guy is as good as they think he is, I think it was a good move. Fast Willie cannot do it alone, and who is to say he will come back 100 percent. The tall wide receiver was just what Ben ordered, so hopefully he will work out. I have no clue when it comes to tackles and linemen. Regardless, if the Steelers end up drafting no one who has or even will commit an act of domestic violence, well, then I call it a success!
But as exciting, in a manner of speaking, as the draft is, right now most eyes are on the Pens. Round 2, and they are already 2-0 against the Rangers. I really do like hockey; I find it far more exciting (at least continuously) than football, but I just cannot be as committed to a sport with so many games (and I am also not a fan of the fighting). But once the playoffs come, I am right on the bandwagon. In fact, I told Jordan during one of the games in the first round that I would play Barbies with her only if we played them with the game on in the background. In full disclosure, I discovered hockey when I went to Penn State. The Icers had a great team, and watching them play is where I spent many fall/winter Friday evenings my first few years at school (and I did have a crush on the goalie, I admit).
Not one year removed from my introduction to the Icers, the Pens brought home their first Stanley Cup. My brothers and I drove all the way from Indian Lake to the (old) airport the night they brought the cup home. On the way there, once we got on the parking lot called the Parkway East, we saw a car next to us rear-end another car. No worries, said the victim. People were sticking their heads out their windows and sunroofs and high-fiving everyone. There were more horns honking than a 25-car bridal party. I was standing up through the sunroof, holding up my brother's Penguins disk. By some stroke of luck, we ended up watching the Pens walk through their gate at the airport. We grabbed players; I seem to recall that we even touched the cup. It was the most amazing experience. Though I am sure I will never do that again (obviously you cannot meet anyone at the gate anymore anyway), it sure would be nice if the Pens brought another one home.
This could be the year. I sure hope so. If not, we always have the Pirates.
Just kidding!
But as exciting, in a manner of speaking, as the draft is, right now most eyes are on the Pens. Round 2, and they are already 2-0 against the Rangers. I really do like hockey; I find it far more exciting (at least continuously) than football, but I just cannot be as committed to a sport with so many games (and I am also not a fan of the fighting). But once the playoffs come, I am right on the bandwagon. In fact, I told Jordan during one of the games in the first round that I would play Barbies with her only if we played them with the game on in the background. In full disclosure, I discovered hockey when I went to Penn State. The Icers had a great team, and watching them play is where I spent many fall/winter Friday evenings my first few years at school (and I did have a crush on the goalie, I admit).
Not one year removed from my introduction to the Icers, the Pens brought home their first Stanley Cup. My brothers and I drove all the way from Indian Lake to the (old) airport the night they brought the cup home. On the way there, once we got on the parking lot called the Parkway East, we saw a car next to us rear-end another car. No worries, said the victim. People were sticking their heads out their windows and sunroofs and high-fiving everyone. There were more horns honking than a 25-car bridal party. I was standing up through the sunroof, holding up my brother's Penguins disk. By some stroke of luck, we ended up watching the Pens walk through their gate at the airport. We grabbed players; I seem to recall that we even touched the cup. It was the most amazing experience. Though I am sure I will never do that again (obviously you cannot meet anyone at the gate anymore anyway), it sure would be nice if the Pens brought another one home.
This could be the year. I sure hope so. If not, we always have the Pirates.
Just kidding!
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