A Sterling Debut for Pittsburgh at the CONSOL

Last night was the first game ever played in our new home at the CONSOL Energy Center and it was nothing less than phenomenal.  The acoustics were amazing, the view was spectacular and the atmosphere was unlike any I’ve experienced before.  It didn’t take very long before I was caught up in all the excitement of the game and the CONSOL was feeling like home.

To top it all off, the Penguins put on an amazing, almost technically perfect, show especially in the first period.  Packed in that opening period was everything that makes hockey the great sport that it is – fast-paced action, incredible plays, unbelievable goals, and of course, a good fight.

The team as a whole appeared to have shaken the rust off rather quickly and Fleury made some great saves that closely resembled the peak performance we’ve come to expect from him.  There were a number of players who made some incredible plays that contributed to last night’s victory, but there is one player who definitely stood out to me and that player is forward Brett Sterling.

There’s been quite a buzz surrounding Sterling and rightfully so.  Sterling has worked his way up through the hockey ranks ultimately to earn the opportunity he’s taking advantage of this pre-season – a chance to play in the NHL on a line with none other than Sidney Crosby.

He did not disappoint by racking up two points with a goal and an assist and creating a number of opportunities for himself as well as his teammates on the ice (+2).  All of this added up to one heck of a game that earned him the title of #1 star alongside Ryan Craig (#2) and Sidney Crosby (#3).

In a post-game interview with Penguins radio show host Steve Mears, Sterling told Mears that it was an incredible experience for him to play in the CONSOL and how loud and  boisterous the fans were  and how he hopes to be able to experience it again on a bigger scale for the home opener on October 7^th. I am seriously wishing that for him as well since he is a talented forward who is entertaining to watch.  He would greatly contribute to the Penguins in a few important areas they are somewhat lacking in such as having someone who plants himself in front of the net to score goals and make sacrifices to stand his ground for that space creating more scoring opportunities.

And it looks like he’s one step closer with making it past the first cuts that the Penguins announced today.

Despite his size, Sterling looks to be on the right track for a big NHL career if this training camp is any indication.