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School Children Watch Penguins Practice

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Kids from 63 Allegheny County schools got a close look today at their sports idols on ice.

The Pittsburgh Penguins invited about eight-thousand young fans to watch a morning practice at CONSOL Energy Center.

Girls from South Hills Middle School held up a banner inviting Sidney Crosby to their eighth grade formal dance.

"I don't know if he saw me," one girl said. "I hope he did."

The idea of the event is to introduce the sport to kids who might never have a chance to catch a game at Consol.

"It's just a lot of fun for them," says teacher Tina Stewart. "Get them involved in hockey and liking it. I think it's a great sport, and I think we should have more fans following it."

Teacher Heather Peters agrees. "I think it's great. They get to see kids from all other schools and how everybody gets to enjoy the same things and he same sports that go on in the city."

Despite the hopeful banner, Sidney Crosby won't be putting on his dancing shoes.

But he did take off his skates and walk through the stands giving high fives, which made a lot of young fans very happy.

WATCH: Sidney Crosby Greets Kids In The Stands

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