BOSTON — Mike Sullivan is familiar with coaching Sidney Crosby on the Pittsburgh Penguins. But coaching against him is unfamiliar territory.
Sullivan’s Team USA defeated Crosby and Team Canada, 3-1, in a thrilling matchup Saturday night. The win earned the Americans a spot in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off championship game Thursday night.
While Sullivan wants to see his team win, that doesn’t take away for the respect he has for Crosby.
“He’s a terrific person and a fierce competitor. And you know his his body of work in the league — his legacy as a hockey player speaks for itself,“ he said Sunday. ”Having said that, when you get in these types of events — and I’m sure he would answer the question the same way I’m going to answer it. — he’s going to do everything in his power to try to win.
“That that’s just the world that we live in. It doesn’t diminish for one second how I feel about Sid as a person or as a player,” Sullivan continued. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and what he’s accomplished in the game and what he represents for our sport. … I just think he represents everything that’s right about hockey. He carries himself off the ice with such humility and grace and integrity, but yet he’s a fierce competitor and a warrior on the ice. … But when we’re on different teams as we are in this particular event, I know he’s going to do everything in his power to win is and I’m going to do the same with myself.”
The Penguins selected Crosby with the first overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 2005 and was named the captain two seasons later. The 37-year-old is not only the face of the Penguins, but one of the faces of the NHL.
Crosby is a three-time Stanley Cup champion, a two-time Conn Smythe winner, three-time Ted Lindsay Award winner and has two Hart Memorial Trophies.
The Penguins and Team Canada captain has also had plenty of success representing his country. Crosby scored the Golden Goal to help Canada win the gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics before winning another gold in Sochi during the 2014 Olympics.
Even at 37, Crosby still continues to produce at a high level. He had 42 goals and 51 assists last season and has 17 goals and 41 assists in 55 games this year for Pittsburgh.
While the Penguins have had some down years of late, Crosby’s desire to win remains unchanged — even if he’s playing against his coach for the last 10 seasons.
“That’s what makes him the champion that he is,” Sullivan said. “And from my standpoint, I’m going to do everything as the coach of of the U.S. team to try to put our guys in positions to be successful, and we’re going to do everything we can to try to to help our group win.”
- BETTING: Check out our MA sports betting guide, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.
