Why Sidney Crosby chose not to push it for the gold medal game
Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Sidney Crosby absence in the gold medal game was due to his decision not to risk further injury and that he was not going to be at his best if he did end up playing.
With the heartbreaking news that Sidney Crosby will be out of Canada's gold medal game vs. Team USA on Sunday morning, it puts an unfortunate blemish on a tournament that had so much excitement that seems to have been dashed with Crosby's injury.
While the team was hopeful that he could potentially suit up, it's clear there was not enough progress for him to suit up and it makes Canada's job just that much harder especially against such a potent US side.
Sidney Crosby did his best to make it to game despite injury concerns
However it wasn't for a lack of trying however, as Crosby did everything he could to get himself ready for the game, but felt that it wasn't enough.
Elliotte Friedman reports that Crosby did everything to make it back on the ice for the game, but came to the conclusion that if he did end up playing -- he wasn't going to be that elite force Canada needs:
Some context:
'Tried everything' to allow him to play
There was optimism yesterday
Ultimately, he felt he couldn't be enough of a factor -- Canada needed all 13 forwards and Crosby didn't want to go if he couldn't be effective enough for the team to win
Total bummer
'Tried everything' to allow him to play
There was optimism yesterday
Ultimately, he felt he couldn't be enough of a factor -- Canada needed all 13 forwards and Crosby didn't want to go if he couldn't be effective enough for the team to win
Total bummer
To say it's a bummer could be a vast understatement given that this could potentially be Crosby's last Olympics and the chance to play for a gold medal one last time had to be a factor for the 38-year-old.
Time for Canada to do it for Sidney Crosby
Crosby ends his Olympics with six points (2 goals, 4 assists) and while Canada can certainly withstand the loss given how stacked they are -- it's the morale loss that hurts the most.
A unabashed leader and someone willing to take matters into his own hands, Crosby's complete domination of the on-ice and mental game is a loss of its own but his ability to rally his teammates and give them real-time advice on the bench is sorely missed.
Canada clearly wanted Crosby in the lineup as their comments prior to the game felt like it was going to be a storybook ending where he returns to help Canada secure the gold.
But now it's going to be Canada fighting not only for a gold medal, but for their legendary leader.
Canada, you have one job: Get it done for The Kid.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews make one thing clear about Sidney Crosby before gold
Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews make one thing clear about Sidney Crosby before gold
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 22|1908 ANSWERS Why Sidney Crosby chose not to push it for the gold medal game Is Canada at a disadvantage without Sidney Crosby in the lineup? | ||
| Yes | 1555 | 81.5 % |
| No | 353 | 18.5 % |
| List of polls | ||