It was a very strange weekend in Pittsburgh, to say the least.

For starters, the Steelers defied incredible odds with a rare trifecta that saw them beat Chicago, and then sit while Kansas City and San Diego were upset, thus catapulting the Steelers into the Wild Card race after it looked like they had fallen out of the AFC altogether.

But that's the NFL. We're supposed to be talking hockey on this blog and it was just as mysterious with NHL concerns in the 'Burgh this weekend, as well.

First, we had the announcement from Mario Lemieux _ premature, if you ask me _ saying he was withdrawing himself from consideration to play for Team Canada at the Turin Olympics in February.

The Magnificant One had a genuine scare after being hospitalized with atrial fibrillation _ the very same problem that grounded Mike Knuble at the end of pre-season after he had an adverse reaction to a 20-oz. Diet Coke. Honest. Soda. Or "Pop", as they would say in the 'Burgh.

"With the way I have been playing so far and with the young guys we have coming up in Canada, I think the best thing to do is to go with the young guys, the young legs," Lemieux said.

I think Lemieux over-reacted here. He should have allowed himself a few days to figure this out. I also believe there is a cause-effect relationship here between Steve Yzerman eliminating himself from Team Canada days earlier and Lemieux's subsequent announcement. Both players are 40.

Then, a day after he withdraws, Lemieux held a news conference in Steel City and announced that the chances are "slim" that the Penguins will remain in Pittsburgh after their lease expires in 2007.

"I think we're really running out of time," Lemieux said. "We probably ran out of time already. It's been unfortunate that the city and the county haven't been willing to work with us over the last two or three years."

Let's be honest here. The Penguins have done all they can to get this arena deal in place and save the franchise. It's more than just the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Country dragging its feet.

It's the Guv - Ed Rendell. He's no fan of hockey and he certainly is no fan of the Penguins. He's done absolutely nothing to help the Penguins' cause in the past five years. It's puzzling to me why no one in Western Pennsylvania has called the Guv on the carpet.

We're not supposed to delve into politics on Hockeybuzz. Yet the concept of a new hockey arena in Western Pennsylvania is very much a political hot potato to those of us who live in this state.

Most people forget that the Steelers and Pirates actually got state approval for funding for their new arenas before Philadelphia. And that Ed Rendell went out of his way as Mayor in Philly, using his enormous political clout as chairman of the Democratic National Committee to ensure that Pittsburgh got its two new stadiums built.

Why? Because once the Steelers and Pirates were locked in, Rendell knew he had an open/shut case for Philadelphia to get two, new facilities for the Eagles and Phillies, as well. What's goes for Western Pennsylvania is good for Southeastern, too.

Ah, but hockey is so much different than football and baseball, isn't it? The Flyers built their new stadium almost a decade ago solely on Ed Snider's own money with a little help on tax cuts from the City of Philadelphia.

Rendell knows that outside of the few hockey fans there are in Pittsburgh, no one really cares what happens to the Penguins in Philadelphia. Or Altoona. Or Johnstown. Or Slippery Rock.

Because Rendell is a Democrat at a time when the Republican Party is going to get its ass kicked in every precinct in the U.S. in the coming year(s), Rendell figures he can allow the Penguins to die a slow death on the issue of slot licenses, slot parlors and such in Pennsylvania.

So what if Mario doesn't get his arena? Is that going to stop Ed Rendell from loftier political ambitions?

Is there any Republican who can possibly overthrow Rendell? No way! George Bush and his war in Iraq have seen to that.

So, while the Penguins are in desperate need for statewide Democratic support, and Rendell's back room maneuvering to save the franchise, the Guv doesn't have to worry about giving them such.

There's simply no one who could possibly challenge his authority in the next election.

But why did Lemieux make this announcement this weekend after already stunning us with his withdrawal from the Olympic Games?

That's a question that puzzles me. Lemieux does not admit to any hidden agenda here, other than to say that the team's board of directors will meet this week to discuss what future exits.

"We'll sit down with everybody and understand what's at stake for our investment and what's best for the franchise," he said.

Is Mario crying wolf? Having removed himself from Team Canada, is he doing this to elevate the Penguins' future to the top his agenda at a time when eyes are focused upon him?

Or is Lemiexu trying to send a final, desperate plea to Rendell?

I'm guessing it's the latter.

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