I’ll be honest. I wasn’t planning to do any recaps during the 4 Nations Faceoff. Frankly, I’m a little burned-out and intended to take a much-needed break from blogging. Kind of my version of flopping on a beach in Florida.
However, life and circumstance have a way of drawing you back in. Such is the case in the wake of Sidney Crosby’s electric three-assist performance last night in Montreal to lead his native Canada to a 4-3 overtime triumph over plucky Team Sweden.
Before I focus on Sid, how about the ovation received by former Pens owner and franchise savior Mario Lemieux during the pregame festivities? As thunderous as it was heart-tugging.
As they say, a picture (or in this case video) is worth a thousand words.
My goodness, does Mario have a regal baring and presence about him. One gets the feeling if the big fella chose to run for the post of Prime Minister, he’d win in a landslide.
I also get the sense at the ripe old age of 59 he could still slip on the skates and run a power play.
On to his former protégé, teammate and tenant.
What can you say about Sid’s performance last night?
Operating with a forearm/wrist/hand that likely still isn’t 100 percent, he set up Canada’s first goal just 56 seconds in with a brilliant, blind backhand pass through a defender and goalie Filip Gustavsson to wide-open Nathan MacKinnon in the left circle. (As an aside, the second assist went to Connor McDavid. Can you imagine for two seconds trying to defend against those guys?)
The vision and on-ice awareness required to execute such a play, not to mention the skill?
Indescribable.
Yet Sid’s second helper was perhaps even more impressive. Using his body to shield the puck from Gustav Forsling, No. 87 drove to the base of the right circle, wheeled, and hit Mark Stone with a picture-perfect pass in the slot. In the process, totally fooling Gustavsson, who clearly wasn’t expecting such a play. Indeed, Stone had half the net to shoot at.
Boy, did former Pens teammate and current color analyst Colby Armstrong get it right when he described his friend as “the most skilled grinder” in the game.
While other stars such as McDavid and fellow Horton’s trainee MacKinnon may have surpassed Sid in terms of production and even dynamism, he stands alone at the pinnacle as an all-around player and presence.
It reminds me of another Pittsburgh sports great.
Despite capturing four National League batting titles and an MVP award, Pirates right fielder Roberto Clemente spent the majority of his Hall-of-Fame career toiling in the considerable shadows cast by contemporary giants Hank Aaron and Willie Mays.
However, in 1971 Roberto enjoyed a brief moment in the sun. Then 37 (the same age as Sid), Clemente used the World Series as a personal showcase for his extraordinary skills. The Bucco great batted .414 and lashed out a dozen hits, including a pair of clutch home runs. He ran the bases with equal parts abandon and joie de vivre. In the outfield, he made his patented basket catches while showing off his gun of an arm.
Roberto was so brilliant, so exceptional, you literally couldn’t take your eyes off him.
I get the feeling that’s what we’re seeing from Sid.
It’s his moment to shine and he’s taking full advantage.
Rick
Loved seeing the Montreal fans giving “Le Magnifique” a standing ovation but I may even enjoyed
them chanting Crosby’ s name when they were getting ready to announce the number one star.
That was awesome. As for Crosby could you imagine if he had a couple of serious wingers??
Even at he ripe age of 37 he could still put up 100 plus points. I go back to 2 or 3 month’s ago while
watching the Pen’s game on TNT and Wayne Gretsky said Dubas should go out and get Crosby an
all star winger, he also said he’s never had one – that Guentzel was the closest thing to it.