Can’t put a price on championship memories

For any sports fan, nothing beats a championship, and nothing beats seeing it happen in person.

Had the good fortune of being able to attend Game 4 of the NHL's Eastern Conference finals this week, and I can't describe how it felt to watch my team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, win the conference title for the second year in a row.

The fact that I was even there was amazing in itself. First, the Pens had to make it back there, obviously. Second, the Carolina Hurricanes had to win two seven-games series, both in the final minutes, to get the matchup with the Pens and an opportunity to go up for a game.

I was excited enough about that, but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would actually be there for a series-clinching game. The 'Canes are a good team, better than they showed, so the fact that it was a sweep was amazing.

Also, my luck with watching my sports teams win in person is not good to say the least. Of the dozen or so Pittsburgh Pirates games I've seen, they've only won twice. Haven't seen the Steelers win in person, although tickets are hard to come by lately. And until Tuesday, I hadn't seen the Pens win in person, either.

So for everything to work out like it did was incredible. Pittsburgh fans love their teams, and perfect strangers become instant friends at sporting events like these. Hi-fives and cheers greeted me all the way from the arena and through the parking lot.

Been a great sports year so far for the 'Burgh. Hope this season ends a little better for the Pens.

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