But I noticed something odd. When I went to the page on the Penguin’s website about ticket info for next season they state that half season plan holders will get their normal ticket to one preseason game. But it also says that they are only getting tickets to only 19 regular season games.

If I remember correctly, when I was a half season ticket holder we got 20 games and I am pretty sure that last year my buddy who sits next to me got 20 regular season games too.

This year the Penguins are cutting back? That seams a little cheap to me. This now gives the Penguins a bunch of tickets to three home games to sell since half season holders only account for 38 of the 41 home games to be played.

Their choice to do this of course. Just seems sort of scummy to me though. Unless I am mistaken about the number of home games half season packages got in the past.

Anyway, congrats to Neal. Take a look at his commercial. Now here’s hoping he fills the net a little more in coming games.

Anyway, congrats to Neal. Take a look at his commercial. Now here’s hoping he fills the net a little more in coming games.

That means one of two things.

The first thing it could mean is that he is having symptoms. I doubt this because I’ve seen the videos of him working out on the ice and he looks happy and healthy. Also, people whom I have talked to who have seen him skate say he looks healthy.

Second it could mean Crosby is getting checked out to see if he is ready for contact. According to two doctors I spoke with and relayed this information to, both who deal with sports related head traumas, they said this would be standard practice where they would bring in the athlete and subject him to controlled, rigorous workouts to test their ability to take a hit.

Just my observations.

My tickets in section 201 behind the cut point where the price jumps even higher for center ice tickets are going to be $4,257.00 for a full season of 41 games plus two preseason games.  Last year was $4,042.00 and the year before that was $3,848.50.

After a 5.03% raise this year we get another 5.32% this year and a per game price of $49.50 per ticket.

Come on Mario!  Can’t you at least buy me dinner first?

There is one distinct disappoint however beyond Malkin’s spotty play until lately. Zbynek Michalek who was touted as a shut down defenseman is a -5 on the season. It is hard to see him not finishing the season with much better numbers but his performance does bear watching.

Have you seen me?

In 2008-09 Eric Goddard played 71 games for the Penguins. In 2009-10 Goddard played in 45 games during the season. This year Goddard has played in just 6 games. He is a +2. If this trend continues, the Penguins enforcer is on pace to appear in just under 25 games this year. His diminishing role can be attributed to the accession of other players willing to drop the gloves. In particular Deryk Engelland who has proven himself a serviceable sixth defenseman and who has appeared in 19 games. Engelland has shown the ability to take on the opposition’s tough guys and stand up for his teammates. All this points to Goddard’s days with the Penguins pretty much ending unless something catastrophic happens such a injuries.

Fleury was, to be blunt, bad. He seems to be getting worse as the season rolls on an Brent Johnson eats up the minutes in his stead. This leads me to believe that Fleury, who we all know is a great goalie, yes even the Fleury haters know this, simply needs to play more to get into a groove. So let’s play him more.

I also think that it is obvious that the defense seems to be playing differently in front of Fleury than they play in front of Johnson. When Johnson is in net the defense seems much more tight in the defensive zone. They are in position and they are getting to pucks. With Fleury though his different style and skills seem to lead the defensemen to play a little looser in all important areas.

This does not excuse Fleury’s lack luster play. But it puts blame on the entire team where I think it rightfully belongs.

And while we’re at it, let’s talk about the power play shall we?

I am going to bring up again how it is obvious that there is something wrong. And I don’t think it is Sergei Gonchar not being on the blue line either. Yes, last year the Pens power play was better in spurts with Sarge quarterbacking it, but even with him there handling the puck things were still amiss with the man advantage. Well all know it. Don’t deny it.

I still think the problem is Sid and Geno playing together on the same unit. This one constant is becoming more and more obvious as the power play featuring these two superstars (along with a more than highly skilled supporting cast) want to pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass and pass the puck which often leads to turnovers and the puck eventually leaving the zone due to an errant pass.

I know the rationale for putting them on the same unit. I know the theory is that you put your best players together and you get your best power play. But are we perhaps ready to admit that this is not necessarily the case? Are we ready to say that so many skilled players playing together is leading to too much thinking and not enough success?

Sid and Geno have proven to have some chemistry when playing at even strength. But even this has shown to be anything but a sure thing when it comes to generating offense. The power play is an entirely different beast. Last year the trouble was attributed to Sid and Geno fighting to be in the same spot. This year that problem was supposed to be elevated by separating the two. It has not worked however. Could it just be that the chemistry is not there?

While I don’t doubt that if Geno and Sid would hunker down and concentrate on scoring rather than overly thinking about who to pass to next in order to set up the perfect shot the PP it would be very awesome sight to see. However that is not happening. Maybe it is time to try two different units (1 and 1A) with Sid leading one and Geno leading the other. Keeping them both on the ice for nearly two whole minutes isn’t apparently working well enough.

Spare me the complaint about how you decide who is 1 and who is 1A when it comes to the power play. Has there been a problem with Sid being 1 and Geno being 1A (second line) at even strength? No. So let’s at least start looking seriously at the problem. Let’s stop stroking egos for fear of offending someone. These two are making $8.7 million each. If Dan Bylsma wants them to skate around the ice in pink tu tus they had better do so proudly asking only one question. That question is what exact shade of pink Coach Disco would prefer.

The view from rink level at Consol Energy Center

Here is my 10 month old son Magnus working the glass.

Here’s a view of the lower bowl looking up from the glass.

My daughter got a good look at the new player’s benches:

Here is a look at how the players will enter the ice from behind the benches at the new Consol Energy Center:

And lastly, center ice from ice level:

Center Ice from Ice level at Consol Energy Center

Consol Energy Center Concourse Area

I forget exactly where this was but I think it was the First Niagra Club:

In Arena Restaurant area

One thing that really disappointed me (aside from the lack of leg room in the seats) is the Highmark Kid’s Zone.  This area is down right small and cramped and if there are any number of people in it at any time you can see how crammed it gets.  And there isn’t even that much in there.  Plus, the way it is arranged you almost cannot help but walk in front of people trying to take pictures of their kids putting their heads on dummies wearing Penguins uniforms.  One is on one side of the narrow area and the other is on the opposite wall meaning either you have to do a lot of weaving through these two popular items or walk in front of people trying to take pictures.

The Highmark Kid's Zone

Please, and I hope the Penguins will listen, fix the layout of this area!

The gift shops are no longer kiosks taking up space but have their own little cubbies!  Problem seems to be they have crammed too much stuff into these areas if you ask me:

A Consol Energy Center Gift Shop

Now if you are wondering what food and drinks are going to cost well I have a picture of what they were charging at the open house:

The Snack bar menu at the Consol Energy Center

Some things (like the chicken fingers basket) went up while other things (like Nachos) are so far the same price and yet others (like beer) seemed to go down a hair.  I remember at the old arena beers were $8.  They had them listed here as $7.75.  I don’t know if they are the same size or not because I did not buy one. Oh, and FYI the Nacho at the open house were stale as stale can be. That was just not very classy if you ask me as it seemed like the Penguins were trying to rid themselves of last year’s inventory rather than providing quality snacks.

Up next, part IV … and yes this one will include lower bowl pics I promise!

Center Ice from second level of Consol Energy Center

As for the second concourse, people with these tickets are definitely further back than at the old arena respectively.  Our seats are a good two to four rows back further which is, I suspect, a result of the placement of the boxes between the first and second levels and the decision to not overhang the second level completely over these boxes.

We are in section 201, Row H seats 3 & 4:

Section 201 Row H

Here is the view of the ice from our seats which are tucked closer to the red line where as at the Igloo we were closer to the blue line:

View from Sect 201, Row H, Seats 3 & 4

Here is my son Magnus (age 10 months) testing out a seat:

Magus checks out a Consol Energy Center Seat

Here is my daughter Charlotte (age 3 years) chilling in another:

Charlotte relaxing in one of the Consol Energy Center's seats

A couple comments on the seats if I might.  First, THANK YOU for the wider seats!  This is a definite improvement that I could feel immediately upon sitting down.  Secondly, but really, couldn’t you give us a little more leg room to the row in front of us?  At the old Igloo I could put my feet flat on the floor and not have my toes hit the back of the seat in front of me.  But at the Consol Energy Center with my feet flat on the ground my toes are right up against the seat in front of me.  In fact I have to pull my feet back just to fit.  This means it will be harder for people to get in and out of the row if you ask me.

Also, really?  No cup holders?  Haven’t we all had enough bad experiences with spilled drinks on the ground due to tight quarters at the Igloo to understand how important these are?  The Penguins dropped the ball on this one.  Sorry.

Up next, Part III including views from the lower bowl …