Canada’s Best: Sidney Crosby’s Legend Grows After 4 Nations Face-Off Debut

It may have started with Mario Lemieux, but the opening night of the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off ended with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby being serenaded by the fans at Bell Centre in Montreal.

The 37-year-old future Hall of Famer notched three assists, including his final pass of the night that led to Mitch Marner’s game-winning goal in overtime against Sweden.

After the final goal horn and Team Canada’s celebration on the ice, the chants were undeniable: “CROS-BY! CROS-BY! CROS-BY!”

“He’s been a Pittsburgh Penguin his whole life, and that just shows you how much people care about him and respect him in this country,” Team Canada’s head coach Jon Cooper said about the ovations Crosby received in Montreal, per video from The Trentonian’s Miek Ashmore. “If I’m going to think about my top three or four moments in this, it would be the ovation Sidney Crosby received, what a crowd.

“His demeanor on the bench, says all the right things at the right time. … It’s no coincidence his record of when he’s wearing a Canadian jersey. That’s not a fluke. He will go down as the greatest player to ever represent his country. If not, he’s going to be on the Mount Rushmore, for sure, of people that have thrown the Canadian jersey on.”

Canada’s stacked roster, led by Crosby, Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, wasted little time getting on the board with the tournament’s first tally.

Just 56 seconds into the opening frame, MacKinnon put Canada up 1-0 with a power-play goal from Crosby and McDavid. Crosby had an absolutely disgusting behind-the-back, no-look pass to MacKinnon, who beat Filip Gustavsson short side. It’s almost not fair with so much talent on one power-play unit, but at least Sweden stayed out of the box for the remainder of the game.

That is who Crosby is, and that is what he does. Crosby always finds a way to do things no one else sees or attempts. And he makes everyone around him better.

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