Pittsburgh Penguins and Team Canada star Sidney Crosby said he was
unhurt and headed to Vancouver for the Olympic tournament despite
wincing in pain shortly after he took slap shot in Pittsburgh's
loss to Nashville on Sunday.
"I will be there," Crosby said after the 4-3 shootout loss to
the Predators. Team Canada was scheduled to practice Monday and
open against Norway on Tuesday.
"I'm on the flight tonight," he said.
Crosby, who earlier tied Alex Ovechkin for the NHL goal lead
with his 42nd, spent several minutes on the bench with his head
down after blocking a Kevin Klein slap shot about seven minutes
into the second period of the last game before the NHL Olympic
break.
Crosby led an offensive rush up ice immediately after
blocking the shot with what intially appeared to be his lower right
shin, though Crosby said it went off his foot. It wasn't until he
lost the puck that he showed any sign he was hurt.
During the ensuing television timeout, Crosby appeared to be
gingerly testing his right leg with light skating. But he did not
miss a shift the remainder of the contest - later adding an assist
and an unsuccessful attempt in the shootout - and after the game
downplayed the shot when questioned by reporters.
"The shot off the foot?" he said. "That happens. That's part
of the game."
Crosby was asked if he was limited at all the rest of the
game.
"No," he said. "How many minutes did I play?"
Although he appeared tentative during his first shift after
the shot, by the end of the game the 22-year-old Crosby showed no
visible signs the foot was hindering him.
The Penguins likewise downplayed the situation.
"He was excited and emotional about the pain," Penguins coach
Dan Bylsma said. "But I think it was one of those stingers, and it
wore off for him."
