With the Penguins loss to the Canadiens this past Wednesday night, it was the end of an era. No, not for Penguin hockey, but for the building that housed it. The Civic Arena (Mellon Arena) is closing its doors. Nicknamed “The Igloo” due to its shape and being the home to the Penguins for over 40 years, it has housed many a major event. From the Beatles, Elvis, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan, Hulk Hogan, lots of names have performed under its dome for the residents of Western Pennsylvania. What I wanted to do here was share some of my personal favorite memories.

Randy’s Top Moments from the “Igloo”

5. “Sudden Death”
I thought that it would be fun for a day to be an extra on a movie set. The movie was “Sudden Death” starring Jean Claude Van Damme as a Pittsburgh fireman that somehow gets caught up in a plot to assasinate the Vice President at game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals. I was there for a day, got a hot dog and coke, and witnessed the thespian skills of JCVD from a few feet away.

4. Basketball
I remember going to see the Harlem Globetrotters with my family when I was really young. My grandfather took us to see the game. I was also witness to many a Duquesne Duke basketball game with my aunt. Before the Dukes moved to the Palumbo center, we were regulars at midcourt.

3. Wrestling
When I was a kid one of my favorite memories was seeing Hulk Hogan wrestle The Iron Sheik at the arena. The excitement that had built to see Hogan in my town, I can still picture his music playing and the curtain being torn away as he headed to the ring. Even as an adult I attended wrestling matches, Raw, Smackdown, PPVs, these were always a good time. I was lucky enough to have seen Andre the Giant, Ric Flair, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and hometown favorite Kurt Angle.

2. Concerts
The first concert that I have ever attended was at the arena. I think I was 10 years old, for a reunion tour featuring The Monkees. Not the best show that I have ever been witness to, but at the time I was a bit of a fan. The best show that I have seen at the arena was in June 2006. Pearl Jam played to a sold out room, I enjoyed the show that I purchased a digital version as soon as I could download it. Best Pearl Jam show that I have seen. Other concerts that I have seen, INXS, MC Hammer with Kool Moe Dee, & Heavy D(yep), Marilyn Manson… Wow, I thought I have seen more there.

1. Hockey
I have been a spoiled hockey fan. I was lucky enough to grow up in Pittsburgh where one of the greatest played. To be able to see Mario Lemieux play during the late 80’s and early 90’s was a treat. Two Stanley Cup victories came with hockey domination during the early 90s. The first game I ever went to was a battle between Wayne Gretzky’s Edmonton Oilers and Lemieux’s Penguins. The names of the players that I have been lucky to see dress in Penguin sweaters; Jagr, Crosby, Malkin, Coffey, Barrasso, and on… The last game I went to at the Igloo, was when I was home for Christmas in 2008, a battle between Alex Ovechkin’s Capitals and Crosby’s Pens. The NHLs current version of the Gretzky/Lemieux argument.

Bottom Three

3. “Sudden Death”
I did mention JCVDs acting skills, right?  The movie sucked.

2. Marilyn Manson Concert
I was expecting an over the top extravaganza. What I was witness to was stale and boring. The highlight of the show was some kid wearing black lipstick and white contact lenses hissing at me. Kinda summed up the show for me.

1. The End of an Era
I am going to miss the Igloo. Its dome that I never saw opened, the sticky floors and the tight seats. It will not be the same seeing the Pens play a home game at another arena.

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Hey Dude! Share your memories from the arena here…