I, much like the thousands of other Pens fans, was super excited about heading down to the CEC for the opening of the regular season.  The night had all the elements of a huge experience.  There was the first meaningful game at the new building, the anticipation of a great season, the prospect of watching  the new players and the fact that they were playing the hated Philadelphia Flyers.  This night had it all.

The Pens celebrating their first goal.

I was so excited to see which Penguin would be the one to light the lamp for the very first time in the CEC.  This was such a big event, it had to be a Pen that would do it.  Much to my Huge disappoitment, Daniel f’in Briere was the first to score.  That was a major let down.  Unfortunately, the night didn’t get much better as the game proceeded. The Pens went on to lose in a lackluster performance on a night that they should have been as fired up as they could have been.

Now, a few comments on the new facility.  Part of my excitement was generated by the prospects of seeing a real game in the new, supposedly, better arena.  I have to say, it is a beautiful building, but overall I had some major concerns about the how things went in this new state-of-the art building. READ MORE »

I got my opportunity to go down and see the new home of the Pittsburgh Penguins. I have to say, it was, in fact, very impressive.  

This is the view from lower Center Avenue. The is the view from upper Center Avenue.

Once I got past the interactive Penguins “hall of fame”, I headed up to the main concourse.  

Here the fans can relive some of the great history of the Penguins using touchscreen monitors.

Here, I was amazed by the overall appearance of, well, everything.  There is certainly the overwhelming sense of “new arena” smell and appearance.   After standing there for a couple of minutes taking it all in, I decided to go into the Men’s room. READ MORE »