The Stanley Cup is the most prestigious trophy in the National Hockey League. The final two teams in the Stanley Cup tournament gain the most attention in the league. The San Jose Sharks battled the Pittsburgh Penguins in games one, two, and five here in the ‘burgh.
With the teams in town for such a massive series, the Pittsburgh hotel industry was met with the task of accommodating players, media, and fans.
Bob Page, director of sales at the Omni William Penn Hotel, explained how having the majority of the series in Pittsburgh impacted the hotel industry here.
“We ensured that we were staffed properly for the level of business that we expected.” said Page “We bolstered our staff, and in some instances brought in additional staff where we thought it would be necessary to enable us to efficiently handle the increased flow of guests.”
With all the excitement of the playoffs, a rising concern was if the Stanley Cup Finals went to a game seven in Pittsburgh, how would the hotel be able to accommodate both the NHL and PGA.
“Had the series gone to game 7, while it would have created an inconvenience for the NHL, they did have a plan in place,” Page said They were moving their headquarters to an outlying hotel that had availability. It may have been more inconvenient for the fans, as with the US. Open, most rooms were already filled for the US Open, so there was not a lot of availability in the city. They may have had to drive into the city from distances as far away as the North Hills, or West Virginia.”
Pittsburgh history was made when the Pittsburgh Penguins won their fourth Stanley Cup in San Jose on game six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Even though the Penguins were celebrating their biggest win in seven years in San Jose, thousands of fans celebrated back home at the Consol Energy Center
With the Stanley Cup on its way to Pittsburgh, planning began for a giant celebration parade for the new champions. Special Assistant to Pittsburgh’s Mayor, James Hill, said that no arrests took place at anytime during the parade.
With all the celebration, fans also had their Penguin gear and novelties to celebrate with.
Dan Means, owner of Sport World Specialties, said he only had about 30 people in his shop during the whole parade.
Means also mentioned that even though he has bought more gear than sold, he will continue to sell through the rest of the year.
Jack Cohen, owner of S.W. Randall Toyes and Giftes(sic), said that even during the playoff series,
people came in and bought wearable odds and ends.Cohen said the effects of the major win lasted “about four weeks”.
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