Published: December 23, 2007 12:07 am      

Penguins forward takes in game

As thousands waited in line for an autograph from the Hanson Brothers on Saturday night at the Cambria County War Memorial, there was also a constant stream at the other end of the building for another familiar hockey face.

Penguins forward Maxime Talbot made an appearance at the Chiefs game on Saturday night and enjoyed his chance to take in a little of the “Slap Shot” flavor.

“It’s my first time here and it’s pretty nice,” Talbot said. “I’ve seen the movie more than once and I’ve been able to get a couple flashes from the movie.”

But there was another reason he made the trek east with Penguins equipment manager Dana Heinze, a Westmont Hilltop graduate. For Talbot, it was a chance to see his best friend, Cincinnati forward Jean-Michel Daoust, the Cyclones’ leading scorer.

It was also an opportunity for Talbot to meet hundreds of Penguins fans in this area as he spent large portions of the game signing autographs and posing for pictures.

“It’s been great. I didn’t think a lot of people would recognize me, but I’ve been busy,” said Talbot. “It’s really nice. I guess the people of Johnstown really know their hockey. It’s fun to see the Hansons, too, and to see my best friend play.”

Talbot and Heinze also gave back a little to the Chiefs, where Heinze began his professional career, as a silent auction of a Talbot jersey was held to help out this year’s Chiefs team. The money raised will provide the players with a meal on the road or some other activity the team would like.