2011 Winter Classic: Penguins Capitals Alumni Game a Celebration Of Hockey

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: “What rivalry?”

That didn’t come into play until Caps Head Coach Bruce Boudreau entered Heinz Field, followed by a loud rain of boos from the Pittsburgh faithful. His only response was pointing to the scoreboard where the Caps alum led by one.

Of course, the loudest noise came any time Mario Lemieux carried the puck in the offensive zone.

“It was fun to be a part of, to play here outdoors. The weather was beautiful and to see some old faces again [there were] some guys I hadn’t seen in a long time…it was pretty special for all of us,” said Lemieux following the game.

It wasn't the return fans expected of Lemieux who only tallied two points for the Pens alum, but it hardly mattered for the fans who enjoyed seeing No. 66 skate on the ice once more.

It certainly didn't matter for Lemieux who was all smiles throughout the game and ensuing press conferences.

Lemieux agreed that this alumni game, along with the Winter Classic, was a wonderful opportunity for the city of Pittsburgh, especially considering the Pens' circumstances in the not so distant past.

"It's exciting to the franchise, to the players and of course the fans who have been supporting us throughout my career," he said.

To end the event, both alumni teams posed for a photo at center ice, a photo that dramatically represented how far the game has come, with older players such as Caps right wing Mark Lofthouse to the newly retired Pens right wing Bill Guerin.

"There are a lot of good players out there, but it was fantastic just to be in this dressing room with this group of guys, guys that I grew up watching and played against and have a tremendous amount of respect for," said Guerin.

The last thing on everyone's minds as they left the ice was the final score.

The smiles on the players' and the fans' faces are all the proof necessary.

Laura Falcon is a Featured Columnist for the Pittsburgh Penguins.     Follow her on Twitter or email her at [e-mail] with any comments or questions.