Crosby goes wild against Minnesota

He had a goal and three assists in Pittsburgh’s
4-2 victory.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Sidney Crosby has waited three years for a chance to play professionally in the “State of Hockey.”

The hockey-crazed fans here have been just as eager to see No. 87 in person, and the NHL’s newest superstar and his brilliant young sidekick didn’t disappoint.

Playing in Minnesota for the first time in their young careers, Crosby had a goal and three assists, and Evgeni Malkin scored twice and had an assist in Pittsburgh’s 4-2 victory over the wounded Minnesota Wild Tuesday night.

“It’s fun to be able to come here and play,” said Crosby, who starred as a 15-year-old player at prep powerhouse Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault. “No matter how the night ended up, it’s just nice because I was here before, watching games and dreamed of one day playing in the NHL and playing here. It’s really a bonus to come out of here with a win.”

Petr Sykora’s power play goal — on a beautiful feed from Crosby in the slot — broke a 2-2 tie with 9:55 to play, and Crosby broke free on a line change by Minnesota and sealed the win with his fifth goal of the season just over four minutes later.

“Crosby’s line was on fire,” Penguins coach Michel Therrien said.

Stephane Veilleux and Brian Rolston scored for the short-handed Wild, who lost at home for the first time this season and fell to 0-3-1 in their last four games after starting the season an NHL-best 7-0-1.

Pittsburgh caught the Wild at an opportune time, after a rash of groin injuries shelved Minnesota’s top three players. Dynamic forwards Marian Gaborik and Pavol Demitra and No. 1 goalie Niklas Backstrom all missed the game.

Josh Harding made 23 saves for Minnesota, but a couple of unlucky bounces did him in against Pittsburgh’s talented kids.

“It’s nice to come back here and play. Even if you don’t have ties to here, you come to this rink, it’s a great atmosphere,” Crosby said. “You play this team and you have no choice but to get up for it.”