There aren't many occasions anymore when one can say Sidney Crosby did something in a game for the first time. However, on Saturday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins' superstar experienced a first he hoped to avoid.
Sidney Crosby received a game misconduct for the first time in his 18-year NHL career midway through the third period of a 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. It is only the fifth time he has had at least 10 minutes of penalties in a game.
The incident occurred with the Kings comfortably ahead. The two-time league MVP was battling for position with Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson in front of the net and was knocked to the ice. Anderson ended up being called for cross-checking.
Anderson and Crosby exchanged words as Anderson skated to the penalty box and Crosby ended up shoving Anderson.
The Associated Press reported on the sequence of events that led to Crosby's ejection from the game.
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Only 5th time in 1,160 contests Pens captain has been penalized at least 10 minutes
The incident started when Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson cross-checking Crosby in the goal crease. Anderson was given a minor penalty on the play.
“[Anderson] was saying something to me on the way to the box. Him and I had an exchange,” Crosby said according to The Athletic’s Josh Yohe. “The next thing I know, someone was telling me I got a 10[-minute misconduct].
“I could tell [Anderson] was saying something. I don’t know what he was saying because we were pretty far from each other. I got closer and that happens often in a lot of scrums,” Crosby said. “Honestly, I was shocked that I was getting kicked out of the game.
“I mean, can I really say what I think anyway?
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Crosby’s 20 penalty minutes in the game were one short of his career high.
Crosby collides with Kings defenceman Drew Doughty in Saturday's game.
Crosby said:
"I could tell he (Anderson) was saying something. I don't know what he was saying because we were pretty far from each other. I got closer and that happens often in a lot of scrums," Crosby said. "Honestly, I was shocked that I was getting kicked out of the game. I had no idea."
Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said he didn't receive a reason on why Crosby received a game misconduct.
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"I don't think Garrett had any interest in giving us an explanation," Sullivan said.
The 20 penalty minutes were the second highest Crosby has had in 1,160 career games.
While Crosby was surprised to get the game misconduct, he wasn't about to say how he really felt.
"I mean, can I really say what I think anyway?
Sidney Crosby in a scrum.
All of Sidney Crosby's fights (2005-2014)
In a separate incident, during a game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Sidney Crosby jumped on the ice and involved himself in a scuffle at the tail end of overtime. He was essentially trying to help break it up. And he along with Acciari and the others involved in the scuffle were given misconducts and were not eligible for the ensuing shootout.
And usually when a player jumps off the bench to involve themselves in a fight or a scuffle, they get a call from NHL Player Safety about a suspension. But seems like this time Crosby was able to avoid that.
League source tells me Sidney Crosby won't receive any further discipline for coming off the bench, as some suggested might be the case. But Crosby was able to avoid that and a call from NHL Player Safety.