Pittsburgh Penguins: An Ode To the Igloo

In the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, at 66 Mario Lemieux Place

Sits the Steel City’s iconic Igloo, inconspicuous to the locals, but filled with a hometown charm and unwavering grace.

Constructed with steel, stone, and an abundance of concrete; still the soul of this building lies inside on the ice, that one simple sheet.

On that ice, hockey players have skated to live out their childhood dreams; it has housed  all-stars, icons, legends, and three championship teams.

It is the place where Super Mario scored five goals in one game, each a different way

Short handed, even strength, empty net, penalty shot, and on the power play

It witnessed its share of heartbreak, like a blown 3-0 series lead

The Pens fell to the Islanders in game seven, only the second time in league history where the team down by three would ultimately succeed

It was the arena where a dynamic Jagr shined for 11 spectacular seasons

Until, unfortunately, he was traded away for personal and financial reasons.

Who could forget the comeback in the 1992 Cup during the first game?

Murphy’s shot from the point, kicked out by Ed Belfour, put home by Lemieux, Pens win... the next three, the result would be the same.

Mellon is where we were introduced to Crosby, Malkin, and Staal.

Three youngsters whom amazing play we have come to expect, yet still can shock us all.

The Igloo even hosted a Hollywood action movie within in its wonderful round shell.

Sadly, it starred Jean Claude Van Dame and was called “Sudden Death”…watching it was pure hell.

The Consol Energy Center will be a gorgeous venue, both new and state of the art

But the place originally known as Civic Arena will always hold the Pens fans' hearts

The Pittsburgh Penguins will write new stories and create great memories within their new home

But to me, a lifelong Pens fan, they will always belong to that architectural anomaly across the street with the retractable dome.