New Arena News

The Penguins have released some photos and a bit of information about the new arena. I will give an update on this tomorrow morning, however here's something really cool I found on the Penguins website:

http://penguins.nhl.com/fanzone/arena_cam.htm

It is a web cam of the new arena construction site.

I will post this in a more permanent place on the right pane in the near future. Check it out!

Pens vs. Sabres 1/1/08

Looks like it is now official, according the the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. The Buffalo Sabres will host the Pittsburgh Penguins on New Years Day 2008 at Ralph Wilson Stadium. This will be a noon game to be played outdoors in front of a national TV audience on NBC. What a tremendous idea for the league and NBC. With the Penguins crop of young stars it will get some good ratings.
I would like to get as many Pens fans to this game as possible since it is only a few hours north of the 'Burgh. Please check back for updates and ticket prices. Tickets for individual Sabres games go on sale 9/15/07:

http://sabres.nhl.com/tickets/individual.htm

At this time there is no information available as to when and if the 1/1/08 game will be on sale.

UPDATE:

Greg has some good info on his blog for hotels and stadium facts.

see: http://2008icebowl.blogspot.com

Some Strange Happenings Around Town...

I've been witness this summer to some very strange occurrances. During the normal stretch of June, July and August most eyes in this city are turned to the Steelers (this is a football city, after all). But this year it has been increasingly upbeat with news and information about the Pittsburgh Penguins.



First - the Pens have been very wise about releasing information since the free agency period began. Not sure if this was planned or not but it seemed as if, at least until football training camp started up, that the team was timing the press releases so that there was some sort of good news every few days. In the space of several weeks we witnessed the signing of several free agents, Michel Therrien's contract extension, Ryan Whitney's contract extension, Sidney Crosby's contract extension and then, to me at least, the biggest news of all that the team has stopped selling season ticket packages, and for the first time in the history of the franchise, has had to start a waiting list for additional season ticket subscribers. All of the events kept the team in the news for more than a month and a half and excited a growing fan base for the upcoming season.



Second - as mentioned above, the Penguins capped season ticket sales and started a waiting list for any additional folks that wanted to get a ticket package. This is the first time that such an event has occurred since the inception of the franchise in 1967. Even during the Cup years in the early 90's there was no problem for a fan to be able to purchase a ticket package. While this does not mean that there won't be individual game tickets available, as there will, but it does mean that the fan base is growing and is energized for the upcoming season and beyond. Another factor in this is surely the belief that a new arena is coming soon and securing season tickets now is the best way to insure that seats will be available for the first season in the new building.



Third - while the usual media blitz is alive and well with 24/7 coverage of Steeler's training camp, there has still been plenty of coverage for the Pens. I've seen recent stories about how the team is making sure to include the Hill district in it's plans for the new arena as well as a lot of coverage about brisk ticket sales when the mini plans went on sale last week. Don't get me wrong on this, I am a football fan as well as a hockey fan. I am not trying to take anything away from the Steelers at all...



Fourth and probably most important - the fan base is energized and ready for the start of the season. It has been many years since I've witnessed such a high level of confidence and eagerness of hockey fans to see their team on the ice. Last years group exceeded all expectations despite a very early exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs and this years roster looks to be even more experienced and skilled than the group that last took the ice in Ottawa in April.

Only 3 weeks until training camp opens! LET'S GO PENS!