Nick Bonino’s goal late in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals elicited a roar so great it could be felt in the concrete bowels of Consol Energy Center. On a warm and otherwise lazy holiday evening, the crowd of more than 18,000 (the vast majority of whom were Pens fans) felt their team was one step closer to … well, we won’t jinx the effort by speaking of it. We’ll simply note that Bonino’s goal gave the Pens a 2-3 victory over San Jose, and a 1-0 lead in the series.
Here’s the story of the evening, told through the pictures made by Post-Gazette photographers.
Penguins teammates congratulate Nick Bonino after scoring the game-winning goal. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)Penguin Ian Cole hugs goalie Matt Murray after beating the Sharks. (Pete Diana/Post-Gazette)
Fans gathered early outside the Consol — why not? Most folks had the day off and kids were out of school, thanks to Memorial Day, and the weather was perfect: Sunny and warm.
Hockey fans poured into the Consol Energy Center before the game. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)Each fan received a towel. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)Rachel Mackey, 23, of Greensburg, shows off her Pens gear and collection of dead stuffed sharks that represent the Sharks team’s first, second, and half of their third line. (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)The arena was alive with energy moments before the start. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)Before the game, 10-year-old George Coyle cheered from his perch atop dad Sean’s shoulders. They’re from Washington, Pa. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)Penguins’ Tom Kuhnhackl helps in front of goaltender Matt Murray against the Sharks in the second period. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)Penguin Brian Dumoulin is upended by Sharks Tomas Hertl. (Pete Diana/Post-Gazette)Jacey Schott, left, and Taylor Jones, of Shaler, play with noisemakers before the Penguins vs Sharks game at the Consol Energy Center. (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)Penguins Olli Maatta helps in front of goaltender Matt Murray as Sharks Joel Ward tries to get a shot on goal in the second period. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)Sharks’ Patrick Marleau celebrates his goal against the Pengiuns in the second period. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)Fans showed a variety of expressions when the Pens narrowly missed a goal. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)Penguins goaltender Matt Murray makes a save on Sharks’ Melker Karlsson. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)Ushers and fans chatted during a break in the action. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)Fans watch the action while Penguin Matt Cullen skates by. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)Penguin Elvis was held aloft by Micheele Cvetkovic of Brighton Heights. (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)
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