Sidney ‘Broken Neck’ Crosby pushes himself, on ice last 2 days
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Sidney Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins star, has been out on the ice practicing -- extensively -- with injured teammates two days in a row just days after reports that he’d suffered not only a concussion but also a neck injury.
The neck injury has created a stir online and among NHL fans. Some were referring to it as ‘a broken neck.’
Penguins Coach Dan Bylsma said, according to the Penguins website, that it was ‘definitely’ nice seeing Crosby on the ice two days in a row. And, he said, it was a boost for teammates: ‘You get a little excitement in the building when they see 87 coming out.’
The neck injury was news to the Penguins. They were reportedly unaware of it prior to Crosby’s visit to neurological spine specialist Robert S. Bray in Los Angeles last week.
The team said Bray diagnosed Crosby with a concussion and also discovered an unspecified neck injury -- but, Bray said, the injury was ‘fully healed.’
The Penguins’ medical staff got a few slams for apparently missing the neck injury. But Bylsma defended the staff, saying Crosby had gotten ‘every possible support’ from the Penguins and the team medical staff.
Monday’s workout was extensive, according to the Canadian Press. Crosby -- ‘broken neck’ or not -- apparently rocked it. Teammates reportedly said it was his best practice since he played Dec. 5.
That was the last time Crosby played. After sustaining head shots in consecutive games in early January 2011, he sat out more than 10 months. He returned Nov. 21 and had 12 points in eight games. But his symptoms came back after the Dec. 5 game, a physical one, against the Boston Bruins.
‘Some sort’ of update on Crosby is set for Tuesday, USA Today reports. Fans can hope they’ll hear when Crosby is set to play again.
ALSO:
Clippers bring da noise in victory over Thunder
Hunt for NHL playoff spots to get really serious now
-- Amy Hubbard
