Heather Mills: Crosby will be ready for playoffs

Heather Mills insists that injured Pens captain will be ready for the playoffs, if not sooner.

"If I competed on Dancing with the Stars with one good  leg, he will be ready to face the Flyers," Mills said during an appearance on Larry King Live.

"He'll skate circles around them," she said, "But, you should expect that when one leg does all the work.  He's a pro and he will make adjustments."

Punxsutawney Phil: Six More Weeks Without Sid

Punxsutawney, PA - Phil emerged from his den at Gobbler's Know and saw his shadow.

Six more weeks without Sid.

Fear not, Crosby will be ready to do a brief conditioning stint and return to tune up for the playoff run.

"I don't understand how everyone can be obsessed with this guy, like he's some kind of God," said Gus, Pennsylvania's second most favorite groundhog, in reference to Phil, not Sid.

"Just like coach MT said to Mark Recchi, 'Keep on scratching.'" Gus said.

Crosby Awaits NHL Verdict on Playing with Crutches

Sidney Crosby is hoping to return to the ice sooner than expected. Sources have told SidsAnkle that the superstar center has asked the NHL Board of Governors for permission to play while using crutches.

Penguins cite a precendent established last week in Wallingford, PA that allowed an amatuer soccer player to compete while using crutches.

"We think we can win this," a team spokesman said.

Eastern All-Stars Offer a Moment of Silence

ATLANTA, GA - Members of the Eastern Conference All-Star squad stood and paused to remember their missing teammate Sidney Crosby.

 

"I can't not believe not it.  He strong like bull was an active skater of hockey 7 day and 23 hour ago," said Pittsburgh teammate Evgeni Malkin.

After the the moment of silence, the squad stood still as Pens' defenseman Sergei Gonchar gently pushed out on his inside edges and quietly fell into the "Missing Man" formation.

"Defensemen are always showboats with that skating backward crap," said the usually reserved Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Eight-year-old Contest winner Saddened by Twist of Ankle, Fate

A month ago eight-year-old Jimmy Alston was on Cloud Nine after winning the NHL's "Be Our Guest" contest.

The contest awarded one lucky fan with rinkside seats for the NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta, and that little lucky guy was Alston.

Alston, from the Beechview section of Pittsburgh, picked hometown hero Sidney Crosby.  Everything was going well for the four-foot Pens fan until Crosby injured his ankle a week ago.

The NHL honored the contest by offering Alston a discount on his seats.

When Alston reached the VIP Entrance of the Phillips Arena, a security guard offered, "Nice to see you tonight, Mr. Bettman."

Warren Commission to Investigate Crosby Incident

Penguins President Dave Morehouse has tapped a former Penguins player to head the team's investigation into the Crosby Incident.

The Warren Commission will be lead by Warren Young who no stranger to working with superstars on the Pens.

Young, who spent parts of four seasons in Pittsburgh and scored 49 goals in 152 games.  His best season was playing alongside Mario Lemieux when Young scored 40 goals in the 1984-85 season.

Young will be responsible for conducting a thorough investigation into the Crosby ankle sprain.

"We will take our time and get the facts, and no, Arlen Specter will not be involved.  He's from Philadelphia."

Crosby drops to #2 on THNs "Power List"

Sidney Crosby lost his #1 ranking in The Hockey News '100 People of Power & Influence.' 

Since he will be out 6-8 weeks, the editors at THN figured they would adjust their voting. Crosby is currently ranked #2.

New on the list at number one?  Crosby's medical team.

BREAKING NEWS: Paul Ranger Attacked

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Paul Ranger was shot at on his way from an NHL disciplinary hearing.

Ranger was the player that slashed Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby, sending him crashing to the end boards.

Crosby suffered a high ankle sprain and will miss 6-8 weeks.  Ranger took a two-minute penalty on the play, but apparently was injured slightly in the off-ice attack.

Little is known about the shooter, but an anonymous source (It's Jim Ecker, but he doesn't want his name used) said the gunman was Boston Bruins' Glen Murray.

"Thankfully, Murray has a reputation for shooting hide and wide," said a league spokesperson. "If that's Ray Bourque shooting, Tampa would be sewing Ranger memorial patches on their jerseys."

The Lightning plays Ottawa tomorrow night. Ranger is listed as "probable."

Why does it take so long for a high ankle sprain to heal?

Stephania Bell's blog on espn.com answers some of the biology involved.

Versus will broadcast NHL games for three more years, plans another name change

In case you missed the 14 seconds of hockey coverage on Sports Center, Versus has picked up the option to carry NHL games for the next three years.

You can watch hockey games on Versus on Monday and Tuesday nights if you can remember the number on your system.

Versus, once named OLN (Outdoor Life Network) will change it's name to reflect its core audience: WPN (Witness Protection Network).

Tune in next Monday for the Sidney Crosby updates. 

Emotional Crosby: "I can't play in the All-Star Game"; Malkin takes his spot

"Fans, for the past two days you have been reading about a bad break I got. It is with great sadness that I tell you ... I can't play in the All-Star game."

Evgeni Malkin gets to take Sid's spot in the NHL All-Star Game.

Crosby to be fitted with BOOT

Penguins center Sidney Crosby said that he'll be fitted with a boot instead of a leg cast.

The team didn't have to leave the Mellon Arena to find a boot.

Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury had an extra one with that Vitamin -Pee-Yellow paintjob.

Crosby Out 6-8 weeks

No internet rumors here, PittsburghPenguins official site says Crosby out 6-8 weeks.

Could mean about 28 games with a return on March 24 against the Islanders  - leaving six regular season games left.

Let's hope he's ready for the playoffs, if they can hold a spot.

Post-Gazette Story

Crosby transported to Hospital for MRI

Brotherly Love...

Here's a few kind words for Sidney Crosby from the flyersphans.com :

A sampling, and we didn't make these up:

"Pens fans already had him penciled in for another Art Ross and Hart trophy. Now it'll be an excuse."

"Maybe he will learn to quit diving near the net and flying into the boards on his a$$ every time he goes up ice."

"Ha Ha! The pens suck again."

"This is great news!"

Capitals Blogger isn't exactly sending get well wishes...

Great stuff from a non-Pittsburgh site.  If you love hockey, this blog is REALLY well done.

Nice bulletin board material in the Crosby comments section.

Japersrink BLOG

Sid Watches From the Big Guy's Luxury Box

In his first public appearance since his injury, Sidney Crosby watched the Pens-Caps game tonight perched high atop the Mellon Arena in the Big Guy's Box.

No, not that Big Guy.

Versus cameras caught a glimpse of Crosby in the box with Pope Benedict XVI who was in town for a secret meeting with the Penguins and the One Hill group.

"I let the local leaders sort out all the details on the new arena development, but I'll be damned if they are going to take away my parking

at the Epiphany Church," the pontiff said.

"It's really an expensive piece of real estate," XVI said, "I get like $40 on game nights for that parking spot." 

"I must admit, I was praying that Malkin didn't score three goals tonight," the pope said. "I just paid a fortune for this Mellon Arena hat at Pens Station."

"God knows Mellon Arena-related items will be big sellers on eBay when they tear this dump down," he mused.

Injured at the Workplace?

An anonymous source (It's Jim Ecker, but make sure you take his name out) has informed Sid's Ankle that Sidney Crosby has hired famous Pittsburgh  injury lawyer Edgar Snyder to represent him in a worker's compensation claim against the Penguins, Mellon Arena and the NHL.

Penguins front office refused to talk about the case: "It's a personal issue of one our employees that we won't publicly comment on at this time," said team spokesperson and VP Tom McMillan.

Gary Bettman offered to talk to anyone that would listen.  "Who are we kidding? We need all the attention we can get."

Snyder simply uttered one line, "There's never a fee, unless we get money for you."

Let's Go Pens Member Rushed to Hospital

BREAKING NEWS - Let's Go Pens message board member "87KINGKOOL87" was rushed to the UPMC We Own Every (Mercy) Hospital for treatment of alcohol poisoning.

Apparently, he was playing a "Hey, Bob" style drinking game with his girlfriend "KRAZEE KROSBEE CHICK" in which they would have a drink every time the word "Ankle" was uttered during  last night's Pens-Habs game. "High Ankle" meant a double-shot.

Ironically, Ankle was used 87 times during the broadcast.

After a long night and a decent hangover this morning, things seemed fine until they came up with the drinking game "Undefeated" while watching the Patriots beat the Chargers.

Sid the Kid Gets Kid Glove Care from Kid Doctor

Sidney Crosby will be treated by Dr. Doogie Houser, one of the youngest doctors in history to graduate from medical school.

Houser, was the voted to the Medical School All-Star game at the age of 18, the youngest in the history of  medicine.  Houser became the youngest Chief of  Staff at University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center at the age of 19.

"Prodigies tend to be drawn to each other," said Dr. Doogie Houser, "We are kindred spirits."

Being the youngest is important. Google "Sidney Crosby + Youngest" and you'll get 33,800 results.

New England Patriots defeat San Diego Chargers, 21-12 in AFC Championship

Steelers fans still bitching about Tomlin in his first playoff game.......sorry, wrong blog.

(Moderators please move this to the TomlinsTwoPoints.blogspot.com)

TSN says MRI on Monday

Sidney Crosby underwent treatment Saturday in Pittsburgh on what was inititially diagnosed as a high ankle sprain.

When first reports are not conclusive it scares me.

What does the hell does 'inititially' mean? We had a guy here in Pittsburgh that missed an All-Star game because of "flu-like symptoms."

And, TSN panel discussion: Impact of Crosby's injury

Message Board Discussions

Let's Go Pens:

Can we all relax now?

Lines without Crosby

Crosby's high ankle sprain injury

Pittsburgh Penguins.com

Will somebody Wear the "c"?

Crosby Out Four Weeks

An Interesting Read on Crosby's High Ankle Sprain

Crosby to be treated at University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa - Penguins superstar Sidney was transported across the state in an equine ambulance to begin rehabilitation for his high ankle sprain.

Crosby, known for his remarkable lower body strength and thick leg muscles, had no viable option for treatment in Pittsburgh and was sent to the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center.  The New Bolton Center is the place where Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro had surgery to repair three broken bones in his right rear leg.

"Treating him locally wasn't an option," said Dr. Chip Burke. "UPMC is too busy with land acquisition and they already have a high-profile leg case with Willie Parker."

"The only problem with the Bolton Center is that it is near Philadelphia," Burke said.

President to Address Nation on Crosby Crisis

Under heavy security, Penguins President David Morehouse is expected to give the latest injury update on the Crosby Crisis. As a precaution, vice president and general manger Ray Shero has been moved to a secret, undisclosed location.

Morehouse will address the Penguins Nation on live TV tonight at 9 pm.  The speech will be covered live locally on WTAE and WPXI.  KDKA will show the address on tape-delay because the station's commitment to broadcast the one hour Steelers' Post-Game, How the Patriots Kicked Our Ass Again.

"We booked airfare, hotels and a live truck for a crew to go to Foxboro.  We're not changing our plans," said KDKA General Manager Chris Pike. 

The Dreaded Men's Fitness Cover Jinx?

Don't blame Crosby's injury on a cover jinx on Sports Illustrated for Kids. Only the real SI has that kind of power.  Now, if one of the Wilkes Barre Penguins has an injury, then you might suspect SI for Kids. 

SidsAnkle blames Men's Fitness for the jinx that caused Sid's injury. We have learned that an editor from Men's Fitness, Philadelphia native R. Emmet Trundell, is responsible for putting the Penguins captain on the cover of this issue.

"Crosby's our target, err, subject this month. Maybe even candidate for Athlete of the Year.  Plus, haven't we had enough of Arnold Schwarzenegger?" Trundell explained in a meeting last month. Trundell that was responsible for putting former Penguin Marty Straka on the cover in October 2001. Straka broke his leg in a game against the Panthers on Oct. 28.

Calling Nurse Mendes

Sewickley, PA - Channel 11's Dee Thomspson is standing outside in the frigid 8-degree weather with Skylights helicopter hovering above the ML estate. 

"There's been no update here, Newlin, other than to say that the Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby is being taken care of by a private duty nurse that our sources (post-gazette.com) say is Eve Mendes.   Crosby injured his ankle on Friday night and will undergo further evaluation on Monday.  Wait a moment ... the light that was on in the upper left window has now gone off.  Stay tuned for overnight developments.  For Channel 11, I'm Dee Thompson, back to you in the warm studio, Newlin.  (Damn, it's cold out here)."

Superstar goes down behind the net

PittsburghHockey.NET had a video posted in their daily history section that showed Wayne Gretzky going down after getting smacked by Kim Clackson.  (Jan. 19 was the day Gretzky first visited the Arena)

Kinda of a similar play at the other end of the ice as Ron Stackhouse goes into the end boards almost the same way as Sid and almost in the same area of the Arena.  See the video.

Let's Go Pens Site: Rally for Sid...

Lets Go Pens Site:

Crosby-less Penguins take on the Candiens

- The Penguins will take the ice tonight without one of the brightest stars in the NHL. Minus captain Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh heads to Montreal and the Bell Centre to battle the Canadiens.

Crosby, last season's Hart Trophy winner, left Friday night's loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning midway though the first period with an ankle injury. He underwent treatment Saturday in Pittsburgh on what was inititially diagnosed as a high ankle sprain. Sources say the treatment was very painful and Crosby will have an MRI on Monday to officially diagnose the injury.

Here's the latest TSN coverage

Empty Netters asks the burning questions

Ugh...What is it with Pittsburgh athletes and leg injuries the past month or so? Mike Cook, Mark Eaton, Levance Fields, Marc-Andre Fleury, Willie Parker, Gary Roberts and Maxime Talbot. We'd be worried about Jason Bay or Freddy Sanchez falling down the steps, but something tells us we that really would matter in the long run. The Pirates will stink either way.

Thankfully, Seth spared us the youtube link to other gruesome leg injuries like the Joe Theisman leg break. Here's the Empty Netters take on the Ankle Crisis...

You can always count on the Pens Blog

These guys are always on top of the news, with a little twisted humor to help us not take life, or Penguins hockey, too seriously...PENS BLOG

So, is Sid Done?

Here's a tease to Mondesi's House:

So when Sidney Crosby slid into the boards feet-first Friday night and jammed or maybe even broke, something … I sent the requisite “Sid’s done” text. I was racing to send before I got his, but it turns out Tim was out of town so he didn’t see it … and it then turned out to be the dreaded high ankle sprain.

Ironically, I’m positive this entire “he’s done” thing started with one of Kendrell Bell’s many high ankle sprains (and look what it eventually did for him), even though Bill Cowher told us that subsequent high ankle sprains heal quicker than the first. That means, based on what we’ve seen from Max Talbot’s and Marc-Andre Fleury’s re-habs, and since this is Crosby’s first high ankle sprain, Sid is going to be out for a good while. Talbot actually came back too soon from his, got hurt again, and (even though he scored a couple of goals) he was out, in essence for 7 weeks. So, obviously, the Pens are “done.”

What exactly is a high ankle sprain?

A high a sprain is used to describe a particular type of ankle injury. Normally, when someone sprains their ankle, the ligaments that surround the ankle joint are stretched or torn. This injury causes pain and swelling around the ankle, and can be quite uncomfortable.

Local Newspaper accounts:

From The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

From The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

In case you missed the play ...

BREAKING NEWS FROM CNN...