December 27, 2000

[pghbuccos]

today is the 9th anniversary of Mario Lemieux first game since coming out of retirement. the Penguins took on the Maple Leafs at the Mellon Arena and Mario scored a goal and had 2 assists including 1 just 33 seconds into the game on a Jaromir Jagr goal. the Pens went on to win 5-0. Mario would score 35 goals and record 76 points in just 43 games in the 2000-01 season. I went to the Pens first practice after he announced he was coming back and I remember there were about 5,000 people packed into the tiny practice facility but could not get tickets to the game. oddly enough the Pens face the Maple Leafs tonight at the Mellon Arena.

[youtube:3rux26qo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVPa1zF3h6c[/youtube:3rux26qo]

[youtube:3rux26qo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhYHVWeSMGw[/youtube:3rux26qo]

[youtube:3rux26qo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iBX6LrPE7s[/youtube:3rux26qo]

[youtube:3rux26qo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHKoU8RVJCU[/youtube:3rux26qo]