Pittsburgh In The Hockey Spotlight

Everybody knows how popular hockey in Pittsburgh is, and not just on a local scale.

That was reaffirmed for anyone who had doubts yesterday when the National Hockey League announced it's schedule of nationally televised contests for the coming season -- a slate which is likely to include putting 15% of the Penguins' games in the 2010/2011 season in front of a cross-country audience.

The list of their nationally televised games includes 8 games on Versus, starting with the October 7 home and arena opener at the Consol Energy Center against the arch rival Philadelphia Flyers.

Other games featured on Versus include December dates in Philadelphia and at home against the New York Rangers, a January, 2011 game against the Boston Bruins, and 4 games in February where the Pens host the New York Islanders and San Jose Sharks as well as play the Washington Capitals at home and on the road.

Versus also will cover 2 Penguin road games in March -- one against the Toronto Maple Leafs and another against the Detroit Red Wings -- before televising their 8th and final regular season game when Pittsburgh hosts the New Jersey Devils on April 5.

Of course, NBC will get in on the action, too, starting their season coverage on 1-1-11 with the Winter Classic between the Pens and Caps @ Heinz Field.  They also have the option of picking up Penguin games on 3 consecutive Sundays in February when Pittsburgh plays at Washington, at the Rangers, and at the Chicago Blackhawks.  They also can broadcast Pens' games on March 20 when they host the Rangers and on April 10 when they visit the Atlanta Thrashers.

Teams are limited to a maximum of 4 games on NBC, but rest assured that the Penguins are very likely to get those 4 contests.  In addition to the Winter Classic, the Pens' games in February in DC and Chi-Town are certain to be covered.  One of their games against the Rangers, either that month or in March, is likely to be selected as well.

Of course, the Penguins won't be the only hot hockey ticket in Pittsburgh this year.

Yesterday, the team announced that, in connection with the many Winter Classic festivities that the region will be hosting, the Consol Energy Center will be the stage for 2 games on 12-30 as a lead up to the big New Year's Day bash. 

The first of those games will be an NCAA Division I contest between the Robert Morris Colonials and RIT.  That contest will begin at 3 PM, and will be followed @ Consol with a game at 7:30 PM between the Penguins' minor-league affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, and their arch rivals -- fittingly, the Washington Capitals' minor league affiliate -- the Hershey Bears.

Undeniably, the eyes of many in hockey will continue to be focused on Pittsburgh this season.

Sometimes, things are just right in the world ....

More soon.