Winter Classic: Guest Blog: Why Pittsburgh Is a Great Fit

By Brian Metzer, for RLD

When Ryan asked me to provide a guest blog on why Pittsburgh was deserving of hosting the Winter Classic, a reason didn’t immediately come to mind. In fact, I was one of the folks who was a bit bitter about the selection this summer, mainly because there was a good bit of bellyaching from around the league. Then I thought about it and came up with the blog below… enjoy!

When speculation first began running rampant regarding an outdoor National Hockey League game close to five years ago, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals were the first two teams mentioned. The rumors quickly escalated and it looked as if the Penguins and Capitals could lock horns in an outdoor game in Pittsburgh’s PNC Park. There was also speculation that the event would feature an “Alumni” game that could see Mario Lemieux take the ice once again.

None of it came to pass, though the Penguins were eventually chosen to take part in the inaugural Winter Classic game that was played against the Sabres in Buffalo in Ralph Wilson Stadium. I was later told by a Penguins official that they were approached about hosting the inaugural game, but that they never seriously entered talks because they weren’t ready. They were focused on building the new state of the art CONSOL Energy Center and didn’t want to take their focus away from that.

Flash forward four years and the situation is completely different. The team has moved into its new facility, they have hoisted a Stanley Cup, and the fan base has grown exponentially. It is the right time to bring this amazing event to Pittsburgh.

Just like the event itself, the Penguins and the hockey community in Pittsburgh has grown. The youngsters of four years ago are now grizzled vets and the team is rivaling the Pittsburgh Steelers in popularity. What better way to ride that wave than to play a game outdoors in the Steelers’ home – Heinz Field.

Though choosing the Penguins to participate in the game for a second time in only its fourth year wasn’t a hugely popular decision in all markets, it is hard to argue with the league’s choice. The team boasts a player who is arguably the best in the league in Sidney Crosby and who is riding an historic scoring streak that has the Penguins positioned at the top of the league. Mix in an amazing rivalry like the one with Alex Ovechkin and his Washington Capitals and you have a recipe for ratings and great success.

The City has long been known for its rabid sports fans and the successes of its sports franchises and was named the top Sports City in America by the Sporting News back in 2009. All of those things combine to make Pittsburgh the perfect city to host the Winter Classic and the city’s north shore is already looking like a perfect spot for all that comes with the event.

Fans have already been blanketing the area surrounding Heinz Field. They are patronizing the Winter Classic Community Rink, buying up NHL merchandise at a breakneck pace and staring in awe as the league’s event folks set up the Winter Classic Festival on General Robinson Street.

Sure, there are other teams in the league that deserve to host this amazing event, but for this season, Pittsburgh and the Penguins were the perfect choices. The league will get a first hand glimpse of how amazing this city can be. How its people will open their collective arms to welcome in the hockey world and help it put on what could be one of the most amazing Winter Classics yet.

(Editor’s Note: You can check out Brian’s outstanding work at From The Point, and follow him on Twitter @brian_metzer)

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Updated Forecast for Saturday's game:

Photo credit: A.J. in Nashville / Brian Metzer
Graph: The Weather Channel