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Friday, February 10, 2012
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1999 arena debut a winner
Ten years ago Friday, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins played the first professional ice hockey game in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
A referee steps in between AHL players Rejean Stringer of the Kentucky Thoroughblades and Tyler Wright of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins during the Penguins’ first home game.
PETE G. WILCOX FILE PHOTO/THE TIMES LEADER
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguin Greg Crozier (far left) celebrates his second goal with John Slaney and another teammate during the Penguins’ first game in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
PETE G. WILCOX FILE PHOTO/THE TIMES LEADER
Additional Photos Below
The Penguins opened Wachovia Arena to a full house, and didn’t disappoint the fans. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defeated the Kentucky Thoroughblades, 4-2, that night.
Three nights later, team owner and NHL Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux paid a visit to the area for the Penguins game against the Albany River Rats.
Here is a look at the sights of that first month of professional hockey in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
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Additional Photos
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Mario Lemieux jokes with Albany’s Steve Brule and the Penguins’ Tyler Wright before dropping the ceremonial puck for the Penguins’ second game ever in the arena. Pete g. wilcox file photo/the times leader |
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Plenty of media showed up for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins head coach Glenn Patrick’s first post-game press conference in what was known then as the new Northeastern Pennsylvania Civic Arena and Convention Center. PETE G. WILCOX FILE PHOTO/THE TIMES LEADER |
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The playing surface sported none of the corporate logos that it does today when the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins took the ice for their first home game in November 1999. Pete g. wilcox file photo/the times leader |
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Dennis Bonvie might own a cookie shop in downtown Wilkes-Barre now, but back in November 1999 he was already showing the scars of being an enforcer in the AHL. TIMES LEADER FILE PHOTO |
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