Pittsburgh Penguins Internship - Week 11

This week was all non-game work for the interns.

While the Pens are going on a cold streak during their away games, we have continued to prepare for a postseason run and go through fan mail.

Geno and Sid both get a TON, it's actually a bit alarming. We've found license plates, hair lockets, notes with kisses on them, magnets, things to be signed, and then the usual "you're my hero" letter.

It is a mix of alarm and endearment opening fan mail, but fun nonetheless.

Next week, I go in on Thursday as the day-before intern to prepare credentials, then work the games on Friday against the Predators and Sunday against the Hurricanes.

Also, on a side note, my Guinness (mini golden doodle) turns two on the Saturday in between those games.

Next week will be busy at the end of the week, but we need as many points as possible if we want a playoff run!

Pittsburgh Penguins Internship - Week 10

Happy St. Paddy's Day everyone!

I didn't work today's game against the Flyers, but I did work the other games this week - Tuesday's win against the Washington Capitals and Saturday's afternoon loss against the St. Louis Blues.

At this point in the season, we have gotten into a good rhythm with game days. All of the interns have a good understanding of what to do in the different positions and we divvy up the work practically even every game. We also know what to double check and to keep each other in check so everything is as perfect as it can be.

We also got to go through some more fan mail briefly this week. This time, the mail belonged to Crosby again, but also included some intended for Malkin, who scored his 1,000th career point in the game against the Caps. My favorite piece that I opened was all the way from Russia and included a little magnet of Malkin's home province.

During the Caps game, a reporter who had made the trip from Russia just to witness Geno's 1,000th point needed escorted to the press box. Myself being a fan of Russia, I offered and made small talk with him while we went up. I learned that his name was Igor and that he would be in a little bit of trouble with his small newspaper if he came back without the 1,000-point story, so I joked with him that I would tell Geno to do it for him. (He was so happy when the 1,000th point was scored.)

Next week, we do not have any games, but we still might be going in for off-day work. Stay tuned!

Pittsburgh Penguins Internship - Week 9

This week was a big one for standings points for the Penguins.

Before their loss to Columbus in Ohio on Saturday, the Pens had gained standings points in six straight games (4-0-2).

After the loss to the Blue Jackets on the second end of their home-and-home series, the Pens bounced back to beat the Bruins on Sunday. Prior to that loss, Boston had a 19-game standings points streak (15-0-4).

I am really enjoying looking up stats at this point in the season, when players are setting personal/team/league records and things are heating up before the Stanley Cup playoffs.

After working two games this week, I attended Sunday's Bruins game as a fan - SUPER weird. Going to games as a fan is an assignment for us as interns/staff of the Penguins. It allows us to view things as fans do and give feedback on the overall fan experience.

I felt so out of place as a fan at a game. Usually, we don't really cheer in the press box and immediately after a goal, we are researching stats. Today, I took in the atmosphere and looked at marketing strategies and in-game activations.

Next week, I work two more games - Tuesday against the Capitals and Saturday (Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade Day) against St. Louis.