Sports are a great excuse to get together with family and friends, eat some good food, and support your favorite teams. However, when it comes to sports fans, in particular, Pittsburgh fans, the support can easily be referred to as an obsession. A prime example is going on right now... Playoff hockey. The Pittsburgh Penguins came off of a winning record last year and also brought the Stanley Cup back to Pittsburgh during the 2015-2016 season. They are now trying to become the first repeat Stanley Cup champions in the last 20 years. And with the crazy Pittsburgh fans behind them, the Pens definitely have a chance.

With playoff hockey comes high blood pressure, fewer hours spent studying, and loss of productivity at work. Bleary-eyed fans live and die with Crosby, Malkin, and the dumb referees that won't call the obvious penalties. You have to win 16 games to call yourself a cup champion and many analysts say that it is the most difficult trophy to win. Pittsburgh is blessed to be able to say that we have 4 Stanley Cups in the last 25 years, however, the team and its fans are still hungry for more. For example, my 84-year-old, church going, bingo playing, pie baking Grandma will occasionally shout a few four letter words when Malkin doesn't shoot during a power play. I have friends that are not competitive in the slightest and become transformed into enraged and scary humans during playoff hockey. Babies even take it seriously.

There will be ups and downs this month and the chances you will hear my Grandma swear like a sailor will increase. But try to enjoy this time despite how stressful it may be. We are a city united by our sports teams and we wouldn't have it any other way.

GO PENS!!!