The Day The Magnificent Died
Do they Really Play Hockey In Heaven?
On the day of the game, we went to the game (go figure), Standing Room Only. Before anything, my dad went to enter in the 50/50 raffle, while I got a Dr. Pepper to drink, and nachos to eat. I saw nothing but "66" jerseys crowding the halls. People walked in grief, while I went to find my dad. Appearently, I wasn't the only one who heard the news. We went to get our pictures next to the ice. The players' home jerseys had a a 90's era Pens logo on the top left corner, admidst a gold "66".
"And so it's true", I thought.
Now came the intro to the game, the saddest one I have ever witnessed.
A Lemieux goal from 1984, as it said, his first NHL one. Then, his Stanley Cup wins in '91 and '92.
His cancer diagnosis in'93. His recovery.
The 2000 moment, where he owned the Penguins and played for the team.
Then, 2006. His retirement. The career banner being raised.
The arena went dark. I could see the countless iPhone camera lights on in the stands. A recent news story on his passing. What scarred my mind right then and there, was Stockey saying:
"Trends and fads come and go. Legends stay."
A gold "#RIP66" shown on the screen.
Darkness again, then dimness.
"We ask you that you bow your heads in honor as Mario Lemieux's memoriam banner will be raised."
The Pens team were lined up at center ice.
A banner like the 2017 SC was raised, but it was black, with the Lemieux name and 66 in gold on it, with the years 1965-2017 on the bottom. Right next to his career banner it went...
The lights are back on. I am having trouble drinking my Dr. Pepper due to the choked-up, weeping state I was in. Everyone is looking up at the banner, taking pictires. Then, the game started.
Eventually, we won. How fitting. I was proud. Somewhere, high above PPG Paints Arena, Mario is proud, too.
Notes
;(