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Nick Bonino makes Penguins debut after weeklong absence because of illness

Nick Bonino earned a footnote in hockey history Monday night, when he was part of the first NHL game played at Centre Videotron in Quebec City.

And while Bonino likely was impressed by the arena, which reportedly cost about $400 million (Canadian) and has gotten positive reviews since opening earlier this month, the hard truth is that he likely would have been just as happy to compete at some low-budget community rink.

For Bonino, to play was the thing.

Didn’t much matter where he did it.

He had, after all, been forced to sit out the Penguins’ first four preseason games because of a flu-like ailment that blindsided him hours before their exhibition opener Sept.