While the Penguins' loss to Montreal in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals was disappointing, it wasn't a total ending.

The team will be back — as will more winning seasons and perhaps a few more Stanley Cup runs.

Mellon Arena? It's going away.

That is what's hard to swallow.

When the horn sounded to end the game Wednesday, it also marked the official end of a special era in Pittsburgh sports — an era of innocence.

When Three Rivers Stadium was imploded, it was sad, but that facility wasn't the only home for the Pirates and Steelers.

When the Pirates were still playing at Forbes Field and the Steelers were calling Pitt Stadium home, the Penguins were playing at Mellon Arena, then known as the Civic Arena.

That arena has been the only home the 43-year Penguins franchise has known.

In those older venues, sports fans of any age and financial income could attend games. Bleacher seats at Forbes Field cost 75 cents. You could walk up to the gate on game day and buy a Steelers ticket.

During the 1970s, when Syl Apps, Jean Pronovost and Pierre Larouche were among a slew of talented players skating for the Penguins, a ticket in D Level cost all of $4.75.

Riding the trolley car into town from the South Hills cost 80 cents during my childhood. We could get transportation, a game ticket, hot dog and a drink for less than 10 bucks. You can't park your car at the arena for less than that now.

The 1974-75 Penguins went up 3-0 on the New York Islanders in the second round of the playoffs.

The Islanders replaced legendary goalie Billy Smith with Glenn Resch, won four straight games and stunned the arena crowd. I was in that crowed during the series.

Ed Westfall, David Volek, Tom Fitzgerald — those names still leave a bad taste in my mouth. Each scored Game 7-winning goals for the opposing team at the arena.

Mario Lemieux scored five goals five different ways — even strength, power play, short-handed, penalty shot and empty net — in a New Year's Eve game at the arena.

The Penguins went from averaging 6,000 fans per game to selling out 165 consecutive home games once Sidney Crosby led the team's quick ascension to the league's elite.

From Barclay Plager to Bobby Clarke, Claude Lemieux to Alex Ovechkin, there's always been a public enemy No. 1 to hate on that ice.

No matter how good or bad the games were, fans in the arena came to life when heavy-set Harry the Whale — a longtime, beloved fan — jumped out of his balcony seat to dance to "Gene, Gene, the Dancing Machine."

Such days are gone. Harry probably couldn't dance now.

The Consol Energy Center undoubtedly will provide plenty of new memories. But as its name suggests, pro sports have gone corporate.

So long, Igloo.

It's sad to see you go.