Pittsburgh hockey fans hope to celebrate Stanley Cup win on 'Matt Murray Avenue'

Hockey fans in Pittsburgh are hoping to celebrate a big win on Thursday night, on the newly dubbed "Matt Murray Avenue."

This week, Pittsburgh city council decided to officially change the name of Murray Avenue, a busy commercial route in the city, for one day, in honour of the 22-year-old goalie from Thunder Bay, Ont. 

The temporary name change will be in place on Thursday June 9, as the Penguins take on the San Jose Sharks in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals. 

"We are going all out," said Councilman Corey O'Connor, who sponsored the resolution after receiving an early morning phone call from a local radio program, urging him to bring the idea to council. 

"We don't want to jinx ourselves but we're hoping maybe Thursday night we can have a huge celebration on Matt Murray Avenue, after the Penguins win the Stanley Cup."

On Thursday, a new sign marking "Matt Murray Avenue," will be placed at a 5-way intersection on the thoroughfare.

And for extra flair, there's also a plan to place cardboard cutouts of Murray along the route.

The young player has captured hearts in the city with his energy, and grace under pressure, said O'Connor. 

"His maturity really shows, and that's why so many people in the city have really opened their arms to him and have been rooting him on the whole way through."

Without Murray, the team may not have made it this far, with a chance to win the cup on home ice, said O'Connor.

 "We hope this doesn't add any pressure," he added.