Like he never left

As an avid sports fan, you are always hoping to be a part of that special moment.  You don’t necessarily have to be at the game, but you want to watch it happen.  Sure you can see it on SportsCenter, but it’s not the same as watching history being made.  I know that when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were chasing Roger Maris’ home run record, we would record every game that was on.  Same with Cal Ripken’s consecutive games played streak.  You might not watch a second of the World Cup, or the NBA season, but if the championship game is on, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll settle in to see who wins.  It’s magical moments, like watching someone lift the Lombardi Trophy after winning the Super Bowl or the Stanley Cup after capturing the NHL crown, that make sports so incredible to be a part of.

Sidney Crosby in warm ups last night

 

Sidney Crosby

Last night at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh was one of those nights.  I know, it’s only late November with a lot of hockey left to be played.  And yes it was against the Islanders who, while they are a divisional foe, have never really put up a fight against the Penguins at home.  No, there were not any championships won or trophies lifted last night, but there was something magical in the air.  You could feel it in pre game warm ups when he stepped on the ice.  You could feel it when they played the video montage of him before the game.  You could see it in people’s faces as they gawked over the unmatched skill that he has.  And you just knew that, from the second that Sidney Crosby took the ice that the night was going to be one to remember.

Stick handling along the boards

 

Getting ready for the game

Out since January 5^th after sustaining concussions in consecutive games, the Penguins’ captain finally returned to the ice last night.  There had been months of anticipation, as originally there was hope that he would make it back for the playoffs last year; that didn’t happen.  Then there were talks of symptoms that were resurfacing from the hits and rumors swirled that he may not ever come back.  But then training camp started and there were reports about just how solid Sid the Kid looked on his skates.  He was quick, focused and determined to get back to the level of play that saw him running away with the scoring title last year before he was injured.  Coach Dan Bylsma spoke of Crosby’s progression and his teammates watched as Sid got better and better at each practice.  Then, this past Sunday afternoon, it was announced that he would return to the lineup the next day.  Facebook, twitter, blogs were all abuzz with the news.  How much would he play?  Would he score any goals?  Can he come back and pick up where he left off?  Would he return to the level of dominance and have an immediate impact?  The answer to those last three questions is a resounding yes.

Sid’s first goal back…I know it’s a little blurry, but I was just using my 50mm and this is a pretty close crop as we sat on the opposite end of the rink.  You can see the puck in the upper middle part of the net.

 

Sid being announced as the #1 star of the game

Sid made an impact on his first shift, driving hard to the next and nearly setting up Chris Kunitz on a sweet backhand goal.  We wouldn’t have to wait long to see the magic though.  On just his second shift, Crosby took a lead pass from Deryk Engelland and, while fending off a defender with his left arm, buried a mean backhand shot into the net.  Now, I have been to quite a few hockey games; Stanley Cup Finals games, home openers, the Winter Classic, but I’ve never heard an arena erupt like it did when that red light behind the goal went on.  With one shot off his stick, Sid assured all of us that he was back.

Jordan Staal, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby in warm ups

 

I think that he caught me

But he didn’t stop there.  He added two assists on goals by Brooks Orpik and Evgeni Malkin before dazzling the CONSOL group with another goal in the third from the half boards.  After stealing the puck from the Islanders defense, he bobbed and weaved in the corner before sending another sneaky backhand to the next that fluttered off the goalie’s glove and into the back of the net.  Four points (two goals, two assists) and the number one star of the night to accentuate a 5-0 shutout win.  As if we weren’t already excited for the upcoming hockey season, Sidney Crosby has made it so the next game can’t come soon enough.

Now if that isn’t one mean look I’m not sure what it

 

Evgeni Malkin in warm ups

Was last night the most incredible sporting event anyone there was ever at?  Maybe, maybe not.  Seeing championships won, records broken, last games played by a superstar are all pretty special.  This is the second time that even the Penguin fans have seen a reunion of a legend, whenever Mario Lemieux unretired after winning a battle with cancer to return to the ice of the Civic Arena 11 years ago.  But to see Sidney Crosby come out and have a performance like that in his first game back in front of his home crowd is something that I don’t think that anyone in the building will forget for a long time.

Welcome back Sid.