PITTSBURGH — Holding her aluminum-foil Stanley Cup over her head, Melissa Mackel of New Germany leads her family in the “Go Pens” cheer during Monday’s Penguins championship celebration downtown.
Excitement in the 300,000-plus crowd was quintessential City of Champions, said Mackel, a a teacher in Southern Fulton School District.
“You could tell Pittsburgh fans are nuts,” she said. “This is what they live for.”
Melissa, her brother Jason Mackel, cousin Kristin Smiach of South Fork, aunt Sherry Agosta of Lilly and friend Kim Gregg of Richland made the drive from Cambria County early Monday to get close to their favorite team.
“Everyone said, ‘Let’s go,’ ” Agosta said.
“We’ve been hockey fans forever. We finally get to celebrate the Stanley Cup, which is awesome.”
The group managed to plant themselves in the third row of fans along Boulevard of the Allies to cheer the Stanley Cup champion Penguins.
“What better way for someone to spend a day off with their family – all these young people – just to enjoy the day with them,” Agosta said. “We went to Station Square first and tailgated a little bit.”
Pittsburgh native Jamie Dauschle didn’t let a little thing like relocating to Philadelphia dampen his spirit.
He caught a flight home at 8 p.m. Sunday.
“I slept a little bit and came down here,” Dauschle said, standing with friends before the parade.“I'm just trying to see the Cup, and party with my boys a little bit. I just want to see Gino (Evgeni Malkin) carrying the Cup down Grant Street.”
When the parade passed along Grant Street, it was the Conn Smythe Trophy that Malkin displayed. His name was added this year as most valuable player in the playoffs.
Penguins captain Sydney Crosby had the honor of raising the Stanley Cup, much to the delight of 5-year-old Shelby Robertson of Greensburg. She said “Sid” is her favorite player.
“You wanted big kisses from Sid today, didn’t you?” her aunt, Katie Robertson teased.
“No. I like hugs, but not kisses,” Shelby said.
Sporting a hockey smile with missing teeth, 7-year-old Jonathan Mills of came to see his favorite player, Max Talbot.
“I’m a goalie,” Jonathan said.
His father, Kevin Mills of Young-wood, Westmoreland County, said the family came downtown to be part of history.
“I missed the last two parades because I had to work. I’m out of work, luckily, so I can come today,” Mills said with a laugh.
Jonathan and Shelby were not the only ones looking for special players.
Malkin’s broken English makes him a favorite for Audra Wist of Gibsonia
“Whenever they interview him, he’s like, “Team good; Puck, yes,’ ” Wist said.
“That’s pretty adorable in my eyes.”
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