Is Pittsburgh Becoming A Hockey Town?

Are the Pens Making The 'Burgh a Hockeytown?

The question above might have some people thinking to themselves "Is this guy nuts??"  The city of Pittsburgh has always been known as a football town.  If you go anywhere within a 200 mile radius around the city of Pittsburgh you will find Steelers jerseys, car stickers, and flags adorning homes.  However, I think the question has to be asked...is the city turning into a hockey town?  Everyone always knows that Detroit dubs themselves as "Hockeytown", but maybe the Steel City is starting to challenge Detroit for that title.

Look, I understand that the Steelers will always dominate nationally when it comes to their "brand", but don't put the Pens too far behind.  I am talking about the city of Pittsburgh and the surrounding area.  I think that you have to look beyond championships, superstars, playoff appearances, and simply gauge the fan base and its reaction to the team.  The Steelers have one of the most loyal followings in all of sports, but recently the fan base has become frustrated with the Steelers in alot of ways.  Lack of a playoff appearance this year, team not disciplined, and overall not content with some of the football decisions that have been made.  Just when you think the Penguins can take advantage of this fan distaste, the NHL lockout keeps the game away from the fan base that was longing for hockey in the worst way.  The lockout ends and it seemed like the starving fan base finally gets a taste of what they've missed since October.  Was there a greater illustration of the Pittsburgh fan base when the Pens held a black vs gold scrimmage that was FREE admission to fans and Consol Energy Center had to turn fans away?  The Penguins organization has shown a great appreciation for fans (especially after the lockout) and that endears them to the fans...something the Steelers have lacked in recent years.

No, I didn't forget about the Pirates.  Surprisingly, this isn't a team anymore than can just be put on the back burner.  Sure, the team hasn't had a winning season in 20 years, but the Pirates are an up and coming team with some young superstars like Andrew McCutchen and company.  The Pirates aren't a team that can just be swept under the rug in terms of how the fan base reacts to them anymore.  Sure, most of the attention the Pirates get is negative, but at the same time they have a very loyal following.  Nonetheless, the Penguins and Steelers run the town.  Both teams have won championships in the last 10 years, and are contenders on a year in and year out basis.  The Superstars that adorn the black and gold for the Pens and Steelers have put them in the fore front in the mind of the fan base in Pittsburgh.

If you ask me, this isn't a discussion about the Steelers, Penguins, or the Pirates.  Instead, it is a discussion about the passionate fans of Pittsburgh.  I'm not talking about just Steelers fans, or those people who just root for the Penguins.  Instead, I'm talking about the fans like my father, my brother, and myself that are loyal to the ALL Pittsburgh sports.  Its the fans that keep these teams afloat, and its the fans that will ALWAYS be there through the good times and bad.  For crying out loud, how are there still Pirates fans attending games after 20 years of losing?  The fans are die hards and extremely loyal.  The Penguins have seen 3 work stoppages under Gary Bettman, how do they keep coming back?  The fans are die hards and extremely loyal.  Pittsburgh might be turning into more of a hockey town instead of a football town, but if you ask me...Pittsburgh is a SPORTS town.