Chapter Two

The noise in the building was deafening. The crowd could be heard chanting all the way from the locker room, as the Pittsburgh Penguins were getting ready to step on the ice for their game against the Washington Capitals. As always, the room was full of laughter and chatter. Sid looked around at his team mates, excited about the game ahead. It was still early in the season, but the boys had already been on fire, winning their last eight games in a row. Sid was on a streak, scoring at least one goal in those games. Averaging 2-3 points every game so far, Sid was hot and he wanted to keep it going as long as he could.


His wife, Diana had told him she'd like to see him beat his streak record of 26 games. He had laughed, and told her he'd do his best. Smiling he thought about his wife and son. The two most important people in his life. They were his world, and he wanted them both to be proud of him. Sidney had always strived to be the best he could, always raising the bar and pushing himself to the max. That became even more important when he married his best friend Diana and she gave birth to Acelin. Instead of just striving to be the best for himself, he strove to be the best for his family. Not just as a hockey player, but as a friend, husband, lover and father.


As the boys headed down the runway to the ice, Sid focused on the work ahead. As always this would be a high octane game. The rivalry between these two teams was legendary. The crowd jumped to their feet and cheered as their Pittsburgh Penguins took to the ice. Sidney looked up and smiled when he saw Diana watching from the VIP holding Acelin in her arms. After the warm-up, they stood silently while the Anthem was sung. With his head bent and eyes closed, Sid thought about the task at hand. 'Let's make it 9 in a row.' He thought to himself as the Anthem was finished and they took their places for the puck drop.


By the end of the second period, the score was tied at 2. Sidney had assisted Jordan Staal on the first goal of the game. As he sat in the locker room, he contemplated the third period. As always the game was fast paced and physical. The Penguins needed to get to their game quickly in the third and try to keep the Capitals at bay. Their biggest advantage was the Caps new goalie. He was young and inexperienced which gave the boys an edge. If they could just keep the Capitals out of the Penguins end, they'd have this game in the bag. Sid guzzled down some water, then began to get his gear back on. They could do this and he was going to go back out there and prove it.


Halfway into the third period, Sid found himself wide open with the puck on his stick. He maneuvered quickly around the Capital trying to block his lane, and shot down the ice. Realizing he was all alone he looked up at the goalie sitting low in his crease. Just as he halted to a stop, Sid released the puck watching as it sailed up over the shoulder of the goaltender and into the back of the net. The crowd went crazy as he and his team celebrated the goal. It was now 3-2 for the Pens. Forty seven seconds later, Sid would surprise the Capital's goalie with a quick release shot through the five hole to make it 4-2.


With just under three minutes to go in the final period, the Capitals were showing their frustration. Alex Ovechkin the captain of that team, picked a fight with Evgeni Malkin. The two scared off and it ended with Alex laying on the ice, Geno's fist held up above his head ready to strike. The fight fueled the crowd, and the Penguins fed of the energy they were putting out. They were keeping the Caps offense at bay, taking away time and space and creating turnovers in the neutral zone. As the clock wound down, the crowd got louder and louder, cheering on their team "LET'S GO PENS! LET'S GO PENS! LET'S GO PENS!" They boys celebrated and hugged each other as the buzzer sounded. A great victory at home in the Consol Energy Center.


Sidney came out of the locker room after showering, changing and talking to the media. He looked up to see his wife and son waiting for him. Smiling he walked up, kissed Diana and picked his son up in his arms. "How's my little man?" He said kissing Acelin's forhead. Acelin squealed and grabbed Sid's nose. "Dadda!" He shouted, smiling. The Crosby's then headed out to the Rover. As Sidney buckled Acelin into his car seat, Diana got into the passenger seat and turned to look at her husband.


"Great game out there hun. You guys played very well! I'm really proud of you." Diana said smiling at her husband as he once again kissed Acelin's forehead. Sidney shut the door then walked around to the driver side. After buckling up and starting the rover, he turned onto the road and headed for home.  "Thank you baby girl. It always means so much to me, that you are proud of our accomplishments."


Reaching across the center console, Sid gently squeezed his wife's hand. Glancing toward her he smiled and winked as she smiled back. He couldn't imagine what he'd do without her. Diana had given him so much happiness. Sidney loved her more and more everyday, and he knew the feeling was mutual. They were soulmates and it was beautiful.