When the professional women's hockey players association held a game between the U.S. and Canadian women's national team players in Pittsburgh last month, forward Amanda Kessel said that the city "holds a special place in my heart."
"It's a great sports city, hockey city," she said. "Pittsburgh really, really took to (her brother) Phil, and I know it's a really special place to him. I just got to experience that firsthand how passionate these fans are and how fun the games are. You don't get to come to many even NHL arenas and get that atmosphere, and for us to feel that same atmosphere.