An experience of a lifetime for local Pittsburgh Penguin fans

By Amy Woolvett

THE COAST GUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

Two lucky fans got the experience of a lifetime when they travelled to see their favourite NHL team, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

When Nick Gray decided to finally do what he always wanted and go see a home game of his favourite team he knew right away that he would be bringing his nine-year old cousin Connor Goodick. “I wanted to do this for a long time,” said Gray. “We are always talking on the phone about games and when I am home watching games together…I knew he would enjoy it as much as me.”

Goodick’s mom, Gina said that when he was young he would never watch cartoons, just TSN.

As Goodick boarded a plane flying to Pittsburgh with his cousin, the first big thing happened to make their trip that much more special. “I overheard a man on the plane saying that he worked for the NHL,” said Gray.

He was a referee and was flying to Pittsburgh to ref the game between the Penguins and the Philadelphia Fliers.

After chatting for a while the referee asked the two where their seats were, front row right at the glass.

He promised that if Sidney Crosby scored, he would bring the puck over to Goodick.

The game was a slaughter against the Fliers ending 6-1 and started with Crosby scoring the first point of the game.

True to his word, after Crosby scored the referee skated by and tossed the puck to Goodick, with a little wave. “I thought it was pretty cool,” said Goodick. “It was a great game,” said Gray. “Three fights in 16 seconds.”

Next on the agenda was to fly to Philadelphia to see the next Penguins game against the Fliers.

While on the plane the got to talking with some other fans on the way to the game and were told about a practice open to the public that very day which happened to be Goodick’s 9th birthday.

Goodick received another great collectable from Crosby when he gave Goodick his stick.

After the practice the cousins waited for the players to come out where Goodick received six autographs of his favourite players including Crosby.

Goodick and his cousin stayed in a huge hotel and enjoyed his favourite meal the Pittsburger and caeser as often as he could get it and enjoyed being in a huge metropolis. “There were a lot more cops chasing after people than in Shelburne,” said Goodick.

When they went to the game they had seats right next to the Pittsburgh bench.

Goodick’s name appeared on the Jumbotron wishing him a happy birthday.

This game was a bit more of a challenge for the Penguins and went into a shoot out in the end and Crosby’s score won the game. “It was awesome,” said Goodick.