PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A pep rally was held downtown Thursday afternoon to pump up Pittsburgh Penguins fans for Saturday’s Winter Classic against the Washington Capitals.

Hundreds of people showed up for the rally that began at noon in front of Primanti’s in Market Square.

“People are skating outside, it’s a good feeling, it’s like the town’s like ready to go,” a fan at the rally said.

Penguins’ broadcasters Mike Lange and Phil Bourque hosted the event. Bourque will actually take the ice for the Alumni game Friday morning.

“I’m probably not going to sleep too much tonight,” he said. “Excited, a little nervous, anxious, not really sure what to expect. Playing outdoors is a lot different than playing indoors, but to be with my old mates, guys I won Stanley cups with, it’s going to be just a blast.”

Meantime, fans packed the Carnegie Science Center where the Stanley Cup is on display along with the other trophies won by the Penguins.

But there’s more than hardware to look at. The exhibit includes the mask worn by the goalie in the 1980 Winter Olympics – the Miracle at Lake Placid.

Lord Stanley’s Cup drew the largest crowd to the Science Center in two years. Hopefully the Cup will return to Pittsburgh after the playoffs.

But in any case, the event is one for the history books.

“We’re going to be talking about this for a very, very long time,” Ann Metzger, co-director of the Carnegie Science Center, said.