Meeting Ends with Pa Officials...

Mario Lemieux seemed more optimistic than I can remember him being in some time about the prospects of the team staying in Pittsburgh. After the meeting he mention being very impressed with what he heard, and being optimistic of the prospects of reaching an agreement in Pittsburgh.

Lemieux said that the officials addressed issues that went back 7 years in the process. He also said that he had "two great meetings today."

He specifically said: "I'm very optimistic after the meeting with the Officials in Pittsburgh today, it was a very positive meeting." He went on to mention that more meetings would be necessary, but was impressed.

Ed Rendell also said that he was "very hopeful and optimistic that the deal would be accepted by the Penguins."

Onorato and Ravenstal remain optimistic as well, though future meetings have not been scheduled as of yet.

This is the best news so far in a dark process...I will write a more complete blog about this later, but wanted to get you guys the latest. Especially for out of town fans, since the news is actually doing a decent job of covering this in town...