Meet the biggest Pittsburgh Penguins fan in Newfoundland - Action News
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Meet the biggest Pittsburgh Penguins fan in Newfoundland

Hockey fans across Canada will be glued to their TVs Thursday night to watch Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but in Newfoundland and Labrador it's doubtful anyone will be watching as closely as Pittsburgh Penguins superfan Frank Woodfine.

Goulds superfan dreams of meeting hockey idol Mario Lemieux

The biggest Penguins fan in Newfoundland

8 years ago
Duration 2:06
Frank Woodfine gives Cecil Haire a tour of his Penguins-dedicated garage ahead of the team's appearance at Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals game on Thursday.

Hockey fans across Canada will be glued to their TVs Thursday nightto watch Game 5of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but in Newfoundland and Labrador it's doubtful anyone will be watching as closely as Pittsburgh Penguins superfan Frank Woodfine.

Woodfine has turned the garage of his St. John'shome into somewhat of a shrine to the Pens, with posters, jerseys, autographed memorabilia and even a piece of agoalie net from the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals.

Frank Woodfine shows off part of his home garage, which is dedicated to the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team. (Cecil Haire/CBC)

The Goulds resident has been a fan of the team since itsheydey in the early 90s, when star and now team owner Mario Lemieux led the Penguinsto two Stanley Cup victories in '91 and '92.

He saidthis was the year he decided to go all out with a Penguins display on the outside ofhis house as well.

"During the winter months when it looked like Pittsburgh was going to make it to the playoffs, I said we gotta do something different this year, because maybe in the next few years Mario Lemieux won't be there," he said.

"I wanted to have him recognize that I'm the biggest fan in Newfoundland and I want him to know that I want to meet him."

Scoreboards, lights and even a goal horn all add to the ambience of Woodfine's Penguins-themed garage. (Cecil Haire/CBC)

Fan friends in U.S.A

Woodfine'sfandom has even made him friends south of the border. One day while shopping for a loaf of bread at Bidgoods, he met a manfrom Pittsburgh whom hestill talks to on a regular basis.

A Pittsburgh sports paper even featuredhim in an article, and Woodfine has been to the cityto see several games over the last number of years.

"They're like Newfoundlanders in Pittsburgh. They send me all kinds of stuff. Every night they email me and ask about the scores and stuff," he said.

"They think highly of me, and I think highly of them."

This year Woodfine decided to extend his Penguins display to the outside of his Goulds home as well. (Cecil Haire/CBC)

Game night routine

Despite his passion for the team, he saidhe doesn't like too much noise or company during an important match uplike Thursday's Game 5. Joined by his wife and two dogs, Woodfinewill go through his regular routine as he hopes to see his favourite team clinch another Stanley Cup.

"I put on all my lights, get everything going, play a bit of music just to relax me. I blow the horn a couple of times. ThenI'll sit down and take it all in," he said.

"I'm very quiet and reserved, but when we're winning and I'm feeling more confidence I express myself at the end of the game more than at the start of a game."

Autographed collectables from past and present players are some of Woodfine's most prized possessions. (Cecil Haire/CBC)
Woodfine's bar is littered with Penguins memorabilia. (Cecil Haire/CBC)
Lights, stuffed penguins and limited edition bottles on display on Woodfine's mantel. (Cecil Haire/CBC)
What's a Penguins collection without one of....these? (Cecil Haire/CBC)

With files from Cecil Haire