Penstalk with Brian Peters

The Pens have played well minus half of their payroll which, in itself is an amazing achievement considering the fact they have played more games than any other team in the league. Did you know that the past two days the Penguins had off was the first two consecutive days off the team has had since the season started? Who knows, with the team winning the majority of their games with all of their stars not on the roster it may turn in to a blessing in disguise when we head to the latter parts of the year?


With the team doing so well it makes me do my very best Borat impression when I think of when this team can finally be healthy. And finally it looks like the team may be heading in the right direction with Brooks Orpik back in action and as I write this I see that Malkin will be a game time decision tonight against the Islanders, but as to not burst anyone’s he has been a game time decision before, taken the pregame skate and bowed out before puck drop. I believe Malkin only played against the Caps because of the whole Love for Lokomotiv thing, PS great cause click here to go to their website and contribute, I know a lot of you guys like to buy stuff and pretend you were at the game, they do have the silicone bracelets they were selling at the Pens/Caps game on their website. And yes this is true, I will not name names, but, I know people who have purchased those metal commemorative tickets from the first game at the CEC and the last game at the Civic Arena, AND the $200 frame, but they didn't even attend the games!

Tuesday Penstalk with Brian Peters

Tuesday Penstalk is a series written by Brian Peters, in which we take a look at the Pittsburgh Penguins upcoming action and take a look at what they have done in the past week. So let’s kick back and talk some hockey.

What’s up Yinzers, my name is Brian Peters, and you may remember me from a few guest appearances I made on this blog at or around the free agent signing period of July 1, 2011. The “management” here at 412sportstalk.net decided they wanted me to come on here once a week, maybe more, to talk some hockey with you guys. So we will get to that, but first a little about me, this way you know who I am.

I graduated from a Beaver County high school in ($1 to anyone who doesn’t already know me that can figure out which one) 2004. Went on to college to pursue a career in music/acting, what a mistake that was!! But luckily the training in acting led to an interest in news casting, so I transferred to a different school and graduated with a degree in broadcast communications.

This has led to many different jobs and positions. I’ve written about sports and theatre (see above and first majors) for various newspapers and online sources and I’ve worked at a news and sports talk radio station as a producer and an on air talent since 2009. See that, I’m not just you 30 year old dude, living in his grandma’s basement who knows how to create a blog, I’m someone who has the tools to know what is important.

When it comes to the Pittsburgh Penguins, I was born a year after Mario Lemieux was drafted, old enough to remember the first two cups. Went nuts for the Pens during the mid to late 90’s, I remember being the only kid in high school wearing Pens gear (2001-2004) and now I’ve seen everyone comeback and fall in love with the Pens. For the 2007-2008 season we decided to throw our name in the hat to get season tickets and man did we pull the trigger at the right time, we got them, and then a week later the season ticket waiting list was created. So thanks to those I have witnessed over 150 live Penguins games in the course of 4 years and I can’t wait to get this season started. I look forward to spending the Pens’ season with you and we’ll start the hockey talk next week, as for this week there is something I need to get off my chest.

As a season ticket holder for a good while now I’ve seen drastic changes both on the ice, in the locker room, to a new arena, and most noticeably in my pocket. It is well noted that the Pens organization is top in the NHL and were top in all of sports a few years back in terms of fan relations. Yes the team is very much awesome when it comes to this, and now you can see others starting to copy what the Pens do for their fans, Buffalo players delivered season ticket holders their tickets this year … meh. BUT if you haven’t been to a preseason game yet … I want you to be fair warned … you might as well bring your whole bank account.

The Consol Energy Center has jacked its prices on EVERYTHING! Those pulled pork nachos, last year were a little above $8 but you got a huuuge serving so it wasn’t that bad? Yep, $9 and the serving got …smaller?!? Beer, a staple that used to be $7.25, add .50 to it, its now $7.75. And best yet …. Because you can get to a game and not pay a dime inside, you can skip buying an $185 Pens jersey (remember in 2006 when they were $114 and everything was sewn on? Then the NHL got popular again and reebok took over?) but this charge you cant avoid. Parking, when I became a season ticket holder I used to pay $12 to park, and $17 for playoff games including the Stanley Cup Final, but for a measly PRESEASON game at the CEC this year we paid $20, FOR THE PRESEASON?!?

It really is a shame that a team known for how well it treats its fans has a home that treats them so poorly. Now there may be some of you saying those prices aren’t that bad, I’m guessing you go to one maybe no games a year. Try going to alllllll of them and let me know how you feel about the prices. Quick math $20 to park times roughly 18,000 (I know not everyone parks in their lots) equals $360,000 per game, times 41 regular season games equals …. $14,760,000

Show of hands, how many of you had to pick your jaw up off of the ground?

That being said; win or die, no matter the price, I love this team, and I absolutely cannot wait for the season to start.

LET’S GO PENS!

See you guys next week

Follow Brian on Twitter @BEPETERS
Email Brian you thoughts peters.brian24@gmail.com

Pens lose game 7