A HERO FORGIVEN

For Pittsburgh Penguins fans, all is forgiven. More than 17,000 fans — and more than a few wearing Sidney Crosby’s red-and-white Canadian national team jersey — crammed inside the Igloo and raucously cheered Crosby, Olympic hero and Penguins captain, before Tuesday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres. Team USA’s silver medal was not forgotten, either. Ryan Miller, the Sabres’ goalie and the most valuable player of the Olympic tournament, was among the Olympians, five from the Sabres and five from the Penguins, who were introduced before the game. When his name was announced thunderous cheers went up, with some fans chanting, “U.S.A.! U.S.A.!” Miller, who was given the night off, acknowledged the cheers, raising his stick to salute the appreciative fans. At first, there were some mixed feelings about Crosby. When his overtime goal that gave Canada a 3-2 overtime victory over the United States was replayed on the scoreboard, it prompted boos. Then, when Crosby was announced, the boos turned to cheers. Crosby had an assist on the first goal in the Penguins’ 3-2 victory and played about four minutes less than his normal 21 a game. “I probably could have played more,” he said. “But we had all four lines going and we played a good solid team game.” Hearing his home fans cheer Miller did not bother Crosby. ”I don’t expect them to be happy to see that,” he said of Canada’s victory. “It’s an American city and proud Americans here, so, either way it’s something I understand.” (NY Times)