The Doctor Enters the Hall

I remember his first game vividly, it was one of the greatest games I ever attended at the Igloo. Thanksgiving Eve 1987, which back then had an unmatched electricity to them. They were always sellouts, almost like reunions because there were lots of people I knew who were usually at the game, some home from college for the holiday, others looking for a good start to the biggest party night of the year. And in 1987, the electricity was running white hot because the acquisition of Coffey was the first signal that the Pens were serious about making a run for the Cup. Sure they had Mario, but at that point they hadn't even made the playoffs yet and they needed more, and getting Coffey, who had already won three Cups, was the very first step.

I remember when the trade was announced on the news a few days before the game. I was eating dinner with my family and the announcement came over the news. I couldn't eat anymore and was so excited I had to get up from the table. Nobody else at the table understood what this meant, but after following the Pens since the mid to late 70s, this was a sign of change a sign of good times to come. Later, trades would bring Barrasso, Mullen and of course Ulfie and Francis, but PC was the first sign. And on Thanksgiving Eve 1987 we wanted to see him in person.

Sitting in B-17, the game didn't start well vs the Nordiques. Trailing 4-0 in the second period was not the way we envisioned the beginning of our climb to the Cup. But then the Doctor opened up his office and chipped in three assists and the Pens stormed back to win 6-4. It was a magical game on a special night that would be a harbinger of things to come for a long beleaguered franchise and this was it's first step.

Congrats again to PC, #77, The Doctor, and the smoothest skater ever.