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Sidney Crosby wants 'better memory' in second outdoor game at Heinz Field

PITTSBURGH, PA – FEBRUARY 24: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates during practice at Heinz Field on February 24, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – FEBRUARY 24: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates during practice at Heinz Field on February 24, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH – Sidney Crosby’s only hockey-related memory at Heinz Field isn’t good one. Six years ago during the 2011 Winter Classic a late second period collision with David Steckel, coupled with a hit by Victor Hedman four days later, led to concussion issues that caused the Pittsburgh Penguins captain to miss most of the next 14 months of action.

Crosby was back at Heinz Field on Friday skating with his Penguins teammates in preparation for Saturday night’s Stadium Series game against the Philadelphia Flyers. He didn’t experience any lingering effects of those two hits, and despite suffering another concussion before the start of this season, he hasn’t missed a beat offensively and remains one of the game’s elite players.

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The Penguins lost Crosby and that game against the Washington Capitals in 2011 and now get the opportunity to finally win an outdoor game in front of the home fans.

“I’d like to have a little better memory of the whole event and everything that comes along with it than I did the last time,” Crosby said after Friday’s skate. “I think when I look at it I feel fortunate to have another opportunity to play an outdoor game here in Pittsburgh. I think the last time wasn’t a great experience, so I’m looking for this one to be the better one.”

Since New Year’s Day 2011, Crosby has won another Stanley Cup, gold at the Olympics and World Championship, another Art Ross Trophy and MVP, as well as two more Pearson Awards, the World Cup of Hockey and the Conn Smythe. He overcame concussion issues that many believed would either end his career and affect his game when he returned to the ice. How he’s been able to do that has impressed those around him.

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“It is what it is for me. It’s just an experience that he’s gone through,” said Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan. “I think Sid has a certain maturity level about him right now. As a player, I think he has a level of perspective on what he’s been through as a player and the opportunity that is in front of him with this group of players that we have. I think that’s what makes him as driven an athlete as he is. He’s a guy when you work with him on a daily basis. I’ve grown to really appreciate how driven he is. He has an appetite to be the best. I think he believes in our team and he’s our leader. That’s that the way I look at it.

“I think the experience that he’s been through have offered him that certain level of perspective. I don’t think he takes anything for granted and I think it fuels his passion.”

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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