The Puck Stops Here

Last night, the Toronto Maple Leafs played in Pittsburgh against the Pittsburgh Penguins. While it is well publicized that the Pittsburgh Penguins want a new arena and may be willing to move if they cannot get one, their argument is that it is their old stadium that does not have the revenue possibilities of modern NHL stadiums. Their argument is not that they cannot keep power on in Pittsburgh. Despite this, there were two blackouts during the Toronto game last night. The second more lengthy blackout was caused by a small fire in an electrical panel. Many fans left during the second blackout and did not return for the remainder of the game.

I think that everyone recognized that the Penguins will not be in the Mellon Arena much longer and has held off putting capital into necessary improvements in the building. That is what let the electrical system get to the point where they had these problems.

There is an offer to the Pittsburgh ownership to build a new arena which is dependant upon a casino licence going to the Penguins ownership.

For the record, Toronto won the game 1-0.

Here is TSN's story on the game.