Time to Write

It's been way too long. This has been the first semester of publishing student work online, and my students have written some great stuff. The problem is getting it edited and ready for the web. Next semester, I'll hopefully have a student editor or two from the class. I guess that's why they say you live and learn.

But after an extended hiatus, it's time to start showcasing some work from these fledgling writers. With a very dark cloud hanging over the Steelers, Pittsburghers will likely enjoy a memory like the one Kayla Glass shares below. I know I did.

He Shoots and Scores!

By Kayla Glass

It is the third period of game seven in the Stanley Cup finals between the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins. There are is ten-seconds left and if the Detroit Red Wings score the game would will be forced to go into over time. Detroit gains the offensive zone and rushes towards our goaltender, Marc-Andre Fleury, in a moment of desperation. There’s a scrum in the corner and Detroit takes the puck in the slot to shoot. Fleury blocks the puck from going in, but Detroit gets the rebound. There are four-seconds left. All Pittsburgh Penguin’s fan’s hearts are beating heavily. We slowly start to rise to our feet. The Red Wings take a hard shot, and Fleury dives across the net horizontally as a secret-service agent would when taking a bullet for the president. He makes the final save and the third period expires with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the lead by one. The team skates toward the blue goal crease throwing their gloves, helmets and sticks through the air. At that very moment they all know that they are the Stanley Cup Champions!

Hockey has been gradually gaining popularity in western Pennsylvania since we won back to back Stanley Cups in the early 90’s. Mario Lemieux brought the majority of the attention to the game. Similar to the wave of attention that was brought to the game with the arrival of Sidney Crosby to Pittsburgh. With this recent Stanley Cup victory, hockey has been gaining even more steam in this area. The Stanley Cup parade in downtown Pittsburgh is most certainly clear evidence of this. The population of Pittsburgh is approximately 250,000 people, and there was an estimation of 375,000 people in attendance in downtown Pittsburgh on that day (The Cup is Back). Most of the main roads in Pittsburgh were shut down. There were so many people there that you could barely see the parade unless you were standing on something. It was hot and miserable standing in the crowd. There were lines, about seven people deep, all along the road. Parking garages were filled with people holding signs, yelling, and throwing black and gold confetti. Even the players were amazed as they passed on their luxury cars, trucks, SUV’s and floats through the town. Many of them were taking pictures and videos of the crowd as they made their way through.

Besides the 119 consecutive sell outs in Mellon Arena, the fans gathering outside around the jumbo screen was amazing and proves how popular hockey is becoming in western Pennsylvania (Gorman). The Mellon Arena only had the jumbo screen up and running during playoff games, but rain or shine (mostly rain), Pens fans were there and we were loud. During one playoff game there was were approximately four thousand people just outside watching the game. That’s not including the nearly 18,000 people inside (Gorman). With so many people being in one place at one time you can imagine the traffic. It was not bad though because you can feel the excitement and joy of everyone around you. Some people in their cars would beep the “Let’s Go Pens” chant and some would hang out of their windows screaming with excitement. Being in Pittsburgh on those nights made you feel very proud to be from the Burgh. Also, this year, Sporting News, a reputed sports magazine, named Pittsburgh the best sport city of the year because of our six time Super Bowl champions, our three time Stanley Cup Champions, and our fans (Hille).

I remember when the clock in Detroit had reached zero, I felt frozen for a second. The adrenaline soon kicked in, and I jumped up with excitement. I screamed, high-fived my boyfriend, and then we gave each other a big hug. When the reality that the Pens finally won the cup fully sunk in, I felt like I was going to cry a little. The Penguins worked very hard and really deserved to win this year. With the great fan base and excellent young players, this hockey team is developing I’d say we have a great chance at winning next year too.
 

Works Cited

Gorman, Kevin. “Penguins players, fans share thrilling moment at center ice in Mellon Arena.” 3 October 2009 .



Hille, Bob. “Black & Gold mettle: Pittsburgh is Best Sports City.” 6 October 2009 .



“The Cup is Back! Penguins Fans Jam Downtown For Parade.” 16 June 2009 .