Letter to the editor: Appreciating Penguin greats

I bought my first Penguins season tickets in 1978. They weren’t very good during those seasons, but I attended all of the games. In 1984, Mario Lemieux arrived, and everything changed. We got to watch the Penguins evolve into an NHL powerhouse. We got to watch some of the greatest players who ever played bring Stanley Cup championships and unforgettable moments to Pittsburgh fans.

The Pens have had the greatest players in hockey playing for them since 1984. I’ve had the privilege of watching Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Ron Francis, Jean Pronovost and others skate for Pens teams. Today we have Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Chris Letang, three of the greatest Pens ever.

At a recent game, a few people were booing and yelling at some of them. I cherish the privilege of watching Sid, Geno and Chris play. I never take my eyes off Crosby while he is on the ice. His hockey sight, his anticipation of a play and his determination to make it happen are second to none. When Sid reaches the end of a shift, my eyes turn to Malkin and Letang; each brings a simliar talent to the ice.

Everyone who buys a ticket has the right to boo or show displeasure, but that doesn’t mean they should.

On April 8, a rare celestial event will occur; anyone who hasn’t experienced a total solar eclipse should watch it with wonder and awe. That is the way we should watch Crosby, Malkin and Letang every time they take the ice for the Pittsburgh Pengins

Bruce Surmacz

Penn Township, Westmoreland County