Marc-Andre Fleury Night Made for Playoff Type Atmosphere
p/c: Michelle Crechiolo
Saturday night at PPG Paints Arena was eight years in the making for Marc-Andre Fleury.
After being left unprotected by the Pittsburgh Penguins, for the Vegas Golden Knights’ expansion draft in 2017, Fleury played four seasons in Vegas, before spending his last five with the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild.
On September 12th, it was announced that Fleury would retire as a member of the Penguins, but with a unique twist. He signed a professional tryout contract with Pittsburgh, in which he would attend one practice, as well as play in one preseason game.
A large capacity was on hand Saturday, to witness the future Hall of Fame goaltender in net one final time.
Taking on the Columbus Blue Jackets, Pens top goalie prospect, Sergei Murashov, was solid during his two periods, allowing just one goal.
Fleury, who is 19 years older than Murashov, entered in the third period. The man affectionately nicknamed “Flower” received a warm, standing ovation from the Penguins faithful.
While being a perfect 8-for-8 in saves, Fleury got loud round of applauses for pad saves and poke checks. The crowd delivered thunderous chants of “Fleury” and “One more year”.
Aside from Fleury recording a scoreless third period, perhaps there was nothing more fitting on his special night than the first Penguins goal being scored by Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh would get two goals from Rickard Rakell, including an empty-netter, and one by top forward prospect, Ville Koivunen.
During the postgame, SportsNet Pittsburgh’s Dan Potash interviewed an emotional and teary-eyed Fleury, who thanked the fans, because of what they have meant to him.
In the final paragraph of Marc-Andre Fleury’s storybook career, it was the perfect send off, for one of the classiest athletes in Pittsburgh sports history.