Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby (87) celebrates his first goal of the season against the New York Islanders in the first period of their NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 21, 2011.
Having not played in a NHL game since January, fans were anxious to see how the game’s best player and face of the Pittsburgh Penguins would fare in his return to the game. The verdict? He’s doing just fine.
Crosby, 24, who struggled to overcome two subsequent concussions and even tried alternative forms of dealing with the symptoms, scored the game’s first goal less than six minutes into the contest. The home crowd was deafening. As was the scream—an obvious curse word highlighted the shout—Crosby let out, releasing 10 months of pent up frustration over his slow recovery.
He said after the game he couldn’t hold in the emotion, or the choice of words.
The Penguins continued to pile on the New York Islanders all evening and Crosby, who was also sporting a slick Movember mustache, played a major role in that. In the course of his 16 minutes on the ice, Crosby added another goal and two assists, playing a part in four of the game’s five goals.
(LIST: Top 10 Sports Superstitions)
Crosby took his first major hit early in the first period, a hit many feared because of his history with concussions. He appeared fine after, as did the relieved fans in Consol Energy Center.
With Crosby again leading a team predicted to make a run at the Stanley Cup—the team played “Back in the Saddle Again” during warm-ups—the entire city of Pittsburgh hopes Crosby’s concussion woes don’t knock him off his horse yet again.
MORE: Vancouver Riots: Hockey Fans Stick It to Their Own City