Thanks for the Memories, Igloo

In this modern day of sports arenas, anything that's been around a decade is old. Any building five decades old is essentially the equivalent of the Egyptian Pyramids.

That's why the iconic Civic Arena, more affectionately known as the Igloo, is coming down piece by piece in Pittsburgh.

The arena opened in 1961 and the Penguins took ownership of the dome when they joined the NHL six years later.

Demolition of Civic Arena has been ongoing for sometime, but with the insides gutted, crews took a bigger step on Saturday. One of the many roof panels was demolished.



If the weather holds up, KDKA in Pittsburgh reports the remaining steel structure will come down in a month.

The Igloo was really the house Mario Lemieux built. In fact it's address was 66 Mario Lemieux Place. Now as owner, Lemieux helped orchestrate the building of the Pen's new home, the Consol Energy Center.

Three championship banners were raised in the building, but the only time the Stanley Cup was lifted, it was when Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom hoisted it above his head.

It's sad to see an icon fall, but thanks for all the memories.

Revenge is sweeter

I couldn't help but revel in the scenes of people jamming every inch of downtown Pittsburgh today to celebrate their Stanley Cup champion Penguins.

Facing ridiculous odds after falling in the series 0-2, facing the overwhelming task of trying to win a NHL championship on the road, the Pens beat the champs earning the right to be called champs.

Last Friday night the aura of the Detroit Red Wings was smashed, we learned they could be human. But that's just one story line in the wake of a shocking final result.

Much of the credit for the Penguins win doesn't belong with Sidney Crosby (youngest captain to hoist the Cup) or Evgeni Malkin (playoffs MVP), but with maligned goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.

Doubts lingered large about Fleury's ability to win the big game after he was chased in Game 5, even I was skeptical. But Fleury bounced back, making a series saving stop on a breakaway from Detroit's Dan Cleary in the next game. And in what could be a lasting image from Game 7, Fleury made a sprawling save on Nicklas Lindstrom to seal the Cup.

Fleury is not perfect, but he is a redeemed goalie and has justified himself with this win as a No. 1 overall pick.

What makes this Stanley Cup particularly sweet as a fan, was seeing Cup chasing winger Marian Hossa end up on the losing side. 

After being an integral part of the Penguins finals run last year, Hossa spurned Pittsburgh. He decided to sign a lucrative one-year offer with Detroit, because he felt the defending champion Red Wings had a better chance to repeat than the Penguins.

Hossa was nearly invisible in the finals (zero goals, just three assists) but claims no regret in picking the losers over the winners. 

"Regret? I don't regret it," Hossa said to the press after Game 7. "We could sit here for hours and have a discussion on it. But I do not regret my decision."

For now all Hossa has left is to ponder how close he was to raising Lord Stanley's Cup, again.

For 375,000 Penguin fans that lined up to see the Cup there's nothing left to ponder. Party on Pittsburgh!