Mario Lemieux’s Last Game in Winnipeg

The year was 1991.  The Pittsburgh Penguins were the defending Stanley Cup Champions.  It was early in the season.  A ticket in the second row (B) cost around 50 dollars, slightly less than what I pay for Jet’s tickets now. 

It was the greatest hockey game I ever saw live, because I got to see Mario Lemieux’s last game in Winnipeg.

Before the game we went to that Mexican restaurant that was right next to the arena.  I think it was called ‘Chi –Chi’s, but I’m not sure.

We got to the Winnipeg Arena early.  My friend couldn’t believe how close we were and was shaking his head.

“We can’t be this close,” he said.

My seat was slightly closer to the middle of the ice so he asked me if we could switch.

When the Penguins came out for the pre-game skate I was in total awe.  There he was, the big guy himself, up close.  I couldn’t take my eyes off Lemieux.  It was like I was watching James Dean, or Michelangelo, if I knew anything about art.

At the end of the warm-up Mark Recchi skated over.  He flipped a puck up to his hand and tossed it into the crowd.  My friend caught it.  I shouldn’t have given him my seat.

Seated right next to us there was a rich looking woman with her son, and they were both decked out in Penguin’s gear.  At the end of the game she talked about going to the airport.  When my friend caught the puck she had suggested that it had been meant for her son.

After the game I wondered if she was related to one of the players, possibly Paul Coffey, who set the record that night for career goals by a defenseman, breaking the mark set by Denis Potvin.  (I believe Ray Bourque has the record now)

They didn’t announce the record until a period or so had lapsed.  Coffey had played for the Oilers, and that Jet’s organization never forgave him for it.  Glen Sather called them classless.

The Penguins ended up winning the game.  Mario Lemieux had a goal and an assist.  We ended up on the front page of the sports’ section in the Winnipeg Free Press the next day (in the background – my friend still has the picture). 

I was just happy that I got to see my favourite hockey player of all time, and the greatest, most talented player ever.     

Mario Lemieux.