Local fans hit Vegas
The Pittsburgh Penguins weren't the only ones representing the Steel City at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Thursday night.
Plenty of Pens' fans made the flight out west to watch their team go up against former Penguin goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and the Vegas Golden Knights.
Butler residents Tom Reese, Gail Paserba and Bill Ford were among them.
“We're definitely not the only (Penguin fans) here,” Reese said Thursday morning. “We've seen a bunch of people in Penguins gear around the hotel and the casino.
“We flew out of Pittsburgh Wednesday afternoon and were told every flight to Las Vegas that day was sold out, primarily by Penguin fans.”
Paserba and Ford attended an event in Pittsburgh two months ago at which Penguins coach Mike Sullivan gave a speech about leadership. On their way back, the couple stopped at Reese's Monroe Hotel for a bite to eat.
Paserba said Sullivan spoke about Fleury and said “he was a great goalie when facing a lot of shots.
“But (Matt) Murray was better against teams that are more calculated in their attack. He said that's why he benched Fleury for Murray in the Ottawa (playoff) series last year.”
Paserba said Fleury and Max Talbot are her favorite Penguins of all-time. She has been a season ticket holder since 1995.
“We were there when they were horrible,” she said of the Penguins.
While at the Monroe, she mentioned to Reese how great it would be if they were there when Fleury's new team faced the Pens.
Two days later, the deal was done.
“Gail has a lot of airline points built up. I told her, 'you take care of the plane tickets, I'll take care of the game tickets.' That was the deal,” Reese said.
He bought the tickets on “Seat Geek” for $155 each.
“That was two months ago. We didn't want to wait,” he said.
Paserba planned to wear a Fleury jersey — borrowed by friend JoniBeth Loverick — to Thursday night's game. Ford was wearing a blue Evgeni Malkin No. 71 jersey.
“There's going to be plenty of black and gold in the stands,” Ford said. “I like Murray and she likes Fleury. We're kinda split that way.”
Paserba laughed as she said, “We still find a way to get along ... I'm always going to be there for my boys. I cheer for Max with the Flyers and I'll be cheering for Fleury at this game.”
Paserba and Ford have made road trips for Penguin games before. Paserba saw the team play in the playoffs at Columbus last season and Ford ventured to Chicago for a 1992 Stanley Cup Finals game.
“My son won a contest and off we went,” he said.
Of the three, Paserba is the biggest fan.
“My whole TV room is decorated in Penguin stuff,” she said. “I love hockey and I love that team.”
