Sochi Olympics: Why I’m Rooting Against Pittsburgh Penguins Star Sidney Crosby This Time
Penguins star Sidney Crosby will try to push Canada into the gold medal game Friday against the United States. (Photo: USA Today Sports)
I’ll admit it: I was happy when Pittsburgh Penguins superstarSidney Crosbyscored his famous “Golden Goal” to give Canada the Olympic men’s hockey crown four years ago in Vancouver.
I was also sad about a missed opportunity for Team USA to further capture the nation’s attention with its first men’s hockey gold since 1980, but really the silver they took home was a pleasant surprise for a program in transition.
That wasn’t the case for the Canadians, who would’ve been ridiculed endlessly for not taking the top prize on familiar ice. The home team led 2-1 deep into the third period, but American forwardZach Pariseforced sudden-death overtime with a goal in the final minute of regulation, exacerbating the pressure.
But then Crosby snapped aJarome Iginlapass between USA goalieRyan Miller‘s legs and a nation celebrated. I was disappointed that my county was denied the gold, but my most overriding emotion was joy that Crosby came through in the biggest moment, proving his worth to Canada.
This time, my feelings are quite different. Crosby and Canada have gotten theirs, and now it’s our turn south of the49th parallel. In fact, the Canadians have edged the Americans for men’s hockey gold in two of the past three Olympic tournaments, withMario Lemieuxserving as the victorious Captain Canuck in 2002 at Salt Lake City.
Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik (in blue) gets a second crack at Canada in Friday’s Olympic hockey semifinal. (Photo: USA Today Sports)
Now another transcendent Penguins talent is trying to squelch American dreams. And, unlike in 2010 when onlyBrooks Orpikrepresented Pittsburgh on Team USA, fellow defensemanPaul Martinis part of the effort guided by head coachDan Bylsma, acting general manager Ray Shero, assistant coachTony Granatoand other Pens support staff.
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No offense to Crosby andChris Kunitz, who should be on Canada’s top line for Friday’s noon Eastern faceoff, but I’m confident nearly every Penguins fan will be unconflicted in his or her rooting interest.
That being said, it’s difficult to turn against the players we watch year in and year out, even if it’s a temporary arrangement. We don’t pay much attention to where athletes come from when they pull on the home uniform. That’s one of sports’ main selling points.
International competition muddles that. The first time NHL players competed in the Olympics,four Penguins won gold for the Czech Republic:Jaromir Jagr,Robert Lang,Martin StrakaandJiri Slegr. My 12-year-old self was pulling hard for that quartet, to the point that I still have some affection for any Czech hockey team that takes the ice.
But that empathy didn’t come into play Wednesday when the United States downed the Czechs 5-2 in the quarterfinal round, just like any good feelings I have toward Crosby and Kunitz will fade into the background for Friday’s matchup at the Bolshoy Ice Dome in Sochi.
In almost every way imaginable, a gold medal for Team USA would be more impactful than a second consecutive Canadiantour de force.
Once is enough, Sid.