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The real reason Sidney Crosby wasn’t part of Team Canada’s flag-bearing moment now revealed
Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Sidney Crosby missing the Team Canada flag walk hit Penguins fans right in the gut at Milano Cortina.
Canada picked Mikaël Kingsbury and Marielle Thompson as its Opening Ceremony flag bearers on Friday, not Crosby.
That choice is fine on merit.
But the timing part is what stings for Pittsburgh.
The Penguins played Thursday night, Feb. 5, in Buffalo.
The Boston Bruins finished a day earlier, Feb. 4, in Florida.
So yes, the calendar mattered.
Here’s the fan reaction that lit up the timeline.
The funny twist is that Czechia didn’t actually send David Pastrnak alone.
Pastrnak was a flag bearer, but biathlete Lucie Charvátová also carried it for Czechia.
Still, I get the vibe, if you’re a Penguins fan, you want Crosby in every big hockey frame.
Sidney Crosby and Pittsburgh Penguins fans felt this one
This is the part where the fanbase gets cranky, because it feels like the sport forgets who its main character is.
Another post nailed the travel reality, and credited Elliotte Friedman for the detail.
"Elliotte explained that the NHL was chartering flights for the players but that those wouldn’t get there in time for the ceremony. The few NHLers that were there had to arrange their own travel to be there early."
If the NHL travel plan really couldn’t land players in time, that’s a brutal look for a league that sells “best on best” as a headline.
Crosby is still Crosby, he’s been driving the Penguins all year at 27-32-59, and Pittsburgh sits 29-15-12.
The ceremony was one night.
The next game for Team Canada is where the real statement happens.
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