Counting Down the Top 10 Pittsburgh Sports Moments of 2013
By Matt Shetler
10. Robert Morris women’s hockey off to record start:
May 1, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Jarome Iginla (12) at the face-off circle against the New York Islanders during the first period in game one of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Colonials went in to the winter break with its best first-half record in school history at 16-3-1 and sole possession of first place in the CHA standings. The 16 victories have already surpassed last season’s total of 15 and are three shy of the program record 19 set by the 2011-12 Colonials. For the fourth straight week, RMU women’s hockey is in the Top 10 of both the United States College Hockey Online (USCHO.com) and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls. (Snyder)
9. Local teams load up at trade deadlines:
Ray Shero the wizard: The Penguins’ trade acquisitions Brenden Morrow, Douglas Murray, Jarome Iginla and Jussi Jokinen all played vital roles at the end of the hockey season and into the playoffs. The Eastern Conference final was very frustrating to watch, but the team assembled by Ray Shero was one of the best on paper, giving Penguins’ fans hope for another Stanley Cup in the near future. (Brett Tunno)
Similar to how Shero loaded up at the deadline, Pirates general manager Neal Huntington did the same in the Bucs march to the playoffs. Without the acquisitions of Marlon Byrd and Justin Morneau in August, who knows if the Bucs break their 20-year playoff drought? More so in the case of Byrd, but both acquisitions proved to be upgrades over what the Pirates had prior. (Matt Shetler)
8. Pitt’s inaugural ACC game:
The 2013 Pitt Panthers inaugural ACC game against Florida State at a sold-out Heinz Field. The atmosphere was electric, FSU fans traveled and welcomed Pitt to the ACC, Jameis Winston took over the game en route to becoming a freshman Heisman winner, and Pitt fans realized that they are now in a much stronger conference than the Big East. (Tunno)