Watching Mario Lemieux Play Still A Treat For Hockey Fans

If you're a huge Mario Lemieux fan like me, then you probably found a way to catch the 2010 Winter Classic Alumni game this morning at 9am, and if you did, then you definitely were not disappointed. The game ended up in a 5-5 tie between both Alumni squads (as much as the croud hated the fact that they didn't have an overtime period or shootout to decide the game).

And in case you were wondering, Mario Lemieux, the greatest hockey player ever to lace up the skates, has still got it! ;) Mario had 2 assists in the game, and many close opportunities.

If my wife and I didn't have to work today, I would have found a way to get down to Pittsburgh to watch Mario play again live. It's always been a dream of mine, and one of the things I've always regretted most for not doing in my lifetime. Instead, I watched the Alumni Game via live stream on pittsburghpenguins.com, and even though the video quality was horrible, I was still thrilled every second Mario was on the ice.

The 2010 Winter Classic Alumni game will be televised via a 1-hour special on the NHL Network on January 5th. If you're a huge Mario fan like me, I would make sure I catch it. Apparently they have a bunch of the players mic'd, so that should be interesting.

--jackandcokewithalime

PS: For old times sake: GO MARIO GO!!

PPS: FYI: Here were the Team Rosters from the Alumni Game (SOURCE: Final Rosters Set For Pens-Caps Alumni Game):

In addition to Lemieux, the Penguins’ alumni roster includes Hockey Hall of Famers Paul Coffey, Ron Francis, Larry Murphy and Bryan Trottier, in addition to Rod Buskas, Gary Roberts, Greg Malone, Bob Errey, Billy Guerin, Jay Caufield, Craig Simpson, Francois Leroux, Gary Rissling, Troy Loney, Kevin Stevens, Gilles Meloche, Phil Bourque, Dave Hannan, Peter Taglianetti, Warren Young, Frank Pietrangelo, Rob Brown and Rick Tocchet. Coaches will be Eddie Johnston, Randy Hillier and Pierre Larouche. Honorary GM is Jack Riley.

500-goal scorer Peter Bondra leads the Caps’ alumni roster, which also includes Dino Ciccarelli, Michal Pivonka, Sylvain Cote, Don Beaupre, Pat Ribble, Ken Sabourin, Yvon Labre, Mark Lofthouse, Nick Kypreos, Alan Hanglesben, Dean Evason, Errol Rausse, Alan May, Craig Laughlin, John Druce, Dennis Maruk, Greg Adams, Blair Stewart, Gord Lane, Robert Picard, Paul Mulvey and J.R. Reich. Coaches will be Granny Grant, Joe Reekie and Bucky Gallagher.

(Image:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveynin/5085645465/ by daveyninon flickr
)