The Penguins/Capitals Alumni game, taking place the day before the Winter Classic, was a pure celebration and enjoyment of hockey that justly saw no victor with the final score tied at five.
On a murky and damp Pittsburgh morning, locals and newcomers swarmed the North Shore in anticipation for the game that would only yield a small crowd: 10,000 fans. While Caps fans were present at Heinz Field, they were severely outnumbered by the home fans.
Pens fans, many of them decked in jerseys once worn by members of the alumni team, made their presence known throughout the game.
With the buildup to the Winter Classic never passing without the interjection of the word “rivalry,” players from both sides skated with a casual yet naturally competitive stride. It was so casual that helmets became an option for many of the players. Most of the players donned their team’s respective Winter Classic knit hats while others, in the name of old school hockey, wore nothing at all.
In between plays and during brief breaks, it wasn’t uncommon to see Pens alum speaking and joking with Caps alum.
It made you think: “ ...
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Article written by Laura Falcon
2011 Winter Classic: Penguins Capitals Alumni Game a Celebration Of Hockey
December 31st, 2010 by Laura Falcon Leave a reply »
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