The Scarlet Letter - 'C'

Apparently all you need to snap a six game losing streak is for the media to get on your back about your Captain. 

As of Friday January 13,2012 the Pittsburgh Penguins where going into the Florida Panthers arena on a six game losing streak.   After a Pittsburgh writer, wrote a nasty little article about the Penguin’s captain Sidney Crosby being soft and there being upset in the locker room and a need for someone to step and be a leader, the Penguins came back and won the game against the Panthers 4- 1.

The team showed their love and respect for their captain by dawning ‘C’ on their practice jerseys.  If that didn’t shut the critics up then the teams comments sure would.

““When someone says we don’t want Sid as our captain, it’s pretty ridiculous,” forward James Neal said. “He’s an unbelievable player, unbelievable leader. He’s going to be captain here for a lot of years. In the room there is no doubt that he is our leader and he is our guy. … It’s a pretty stupid comment.”(Penguind.nhl.com). “  Brooks Orpik also said; “(Crosby’s place on the team) has never been in question, not in this room. People can speculate. If we are on a six-game winning streak it probably doesn’t come up. We can only control what goes on in here.   Sid will be our captain until he’s retired. I don’t know where that came from, but we had a little fun with it today.” (Penguins.nhl.com).”

Why anyone would every think that because he has an injury he would never return to his team, or not be an efficient leader is beyond me.  Concussions affect everyone differently, and with Crosby technically dealing from two back to back and then a very hard hit from a teammate to reinstate his symptoms, it does look bleak for him to return this season.  I’m sure when he does return, to the game he will be bring another 4 point night or better.

People, media and fans alike, should never doubt the resolve and dedication an athlete has to his pride and his devotion to his team.  His team will stand by him in any way they can, they will never turn their back on him, and will take his words to heart and listen to what he has to say.

The Penguins show of devotion is just that, true team work and respect for each other.  It sure shut the media up, who shouldn’t have opened their mouths and let their lies spill out.

To wrap up I think HBO said it best:

Never get caught telling a hockey player it's just a game.

Never get caught trying to explain to him all the things in the world that matter so much more. His mind might well acknowledge the truth to your point, but his soul would be powerless to accept it, considering the immensity of what he gives to the sport and the immeasurability of all it offers in return.

Nothing ever feels as perfect as a moment of flawlessness on the ice.

No bond as strong as one that compels brothers to bleed for one another.

Not many leaders as this versed in the craft of motivation.

Not many pursuits can evoke such visions if brilliance.

This is why it hurts so much when skill falls short of what the will desires. This is why it's so unforgettable when absolute passion yields ultimate reward.

And that's all still just the start of what the Game can do to you.

Hockey may in fact be just a game, but it's also who they are.