Note from the Writer: This is going to be an opinionated collum on my experience attending the Pittsburgh Penguins game on 4/22/2021 based on how the Penguins organization has adapted to COVID-19. This will be more about the overall Penguins game experience rather than the product on the ice as the Penguins whooped the Devils 5-1. I would love to hear from other Penguins’ fans about their experiences attending games this season and for a more in-depth look at my experience check out my YouTube Channel.

This past Thursday, I went to my first Pittsburgh Penguins game since 2019. It was also the first big four sporting event I’ve went to since the pandemic hit in March of 2020. I was very skeptical about attending due to the still ongoing health crisis, but looking back on my experience, it was absolutely worth it. With vaccinations continuing to go out, and the playoffs coming up, I can only hope this continues.

The Penguins started opening the arena to spectators in early March and have since slowly but surely allowed more and more fans to populate Ppg Paints Arena. For the game, I got cheap nosebleed tickets for around $60. Just getting to go to a game in the first place was all I cared about at the end of the day.

I was curious to see how different things were this season as I am an avid follower of not just the team on the ice, but the organization as a whole. I am happy to say, for the most part, the Penguins did a pretty damn good job hosting fans. But it is far from normal.

Pittsburgh Penguins on Twitter: “We salute you, fans. Thanks for always supporting us. https://t.co/oxGIvqRVCH” / Twitter

Corona causes chaotic changes

The Pittsburgh Penguins organization has done everything in their power to prevent the spread of COVID-19 inside of PPG Paints Arena. Tickets are now scanned from your phone, ordering food is contactless, no cash is accepted in the building and the list goes on. 

But they can only do so much to prevent the spread.

Taylor Haase on Twitter: “… three people in that picture have their masks photoshopped on https://t.co/pzMGeGHLG7” / Twitter

The two main red flags that I saw while attending this game came during the end of the game, and when I took a trip to the bathroom during intermission. In both instances, there were several people huddled up like cattle trying to get through places.

PPG Paints Arena — or any venue for that matter — is simply not built for COVID-19 regulations. No matter how much social distancing and contactless transactions you have, if you end the game with everyone dogpiling towards the three main exits, then your efforts are almost worthless.

Making Sacrifices

Going to a Penguins game now requires fans to make a lot of sacrifices from the way prior games were held. You have to order tickets either in a group of two or four. There are no pamphlets or even physical tickets to keep as souvenirs, you cannot go down to the glass for warmups, and prices at concessions have ramped up even more.

What you come to the game for boils down to the game itself and the play on the ice. Luckily for the Penguins, this season has treated us well. But I could not imagine how fans of struggling teams like the Buffalo Sabres could have the motivation to go to games.

Megan Carter on Twitter: “ https://t.co/gWeLmoZUJV” / Twitter

Back to normal soon

The light at the end of the tunnel is that things are only going to get better. The COVID vaccine has been going out in the masses and society is starting to rebuild. It may be a while before you get to high-five the random fan next to you, but we’re heading in that direction.

As of right now, the Pittsburgh Penguins organization is doing everything that it can to make fans feel safe while attending games at PPG Paints Arena — from the ushers to the security guards to the players on the ice.

The Penguins are currently in a battle for first place in the NHL’s East Division battling it out with the New York Islanders and the Washington Capitals. The Penguins have a good chance of receiving home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs, and if they can continue to let fans in the stands, then this will certainly be an advantage.

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