The Pittsburgh Penguins are at home again tonight, hosting the St Louis Blues in the NHL.
The Penguins, their fans and the hockey world in general are overjoyed that star center Sidney Crosby is back in action, and well they should be.
Crosby, a marvellous hockey talent, returned after a lengthy recovery from a concussion, or concussion-like symptoms, to post 2 goals and 4 points in his return Monday night, a 5-0 blitzing of the New York Islanders.
This spectacular return is obviously great for the Penguins club and their fans, plus because Crosby is such a great ambassador for the sport, it’s terrific for the sport of hockey.
Or is it ?
The return of Sidney Crosby to the sport is only good if there can be a reduction or elimination of the incidents that forced his absence.
Crosby’s concussion represents an issue of epidemic proportion. And not just at the NHL level.
You don’t have to look far to see head contact, accidental or incidental or otherwise, that has had a negative impact.
In that last week alone here in Owen Sound, gifted European Arturs Gavrus was knocked out of the Attack lineup.
Teammate Cameron Brace was also forced to leave a game after being bonked
And the Colorado Avalanche confirm Joey Hishon is playing hockey, but all by himself, still dealing with the after effects of a blow to the head.
This isn’t an Owen Sound story, it’s a hockey story at every level.
And while we celebrate the return of Sidney Crosby to hockey, let’s not forget what created the departure in the first place.
I’m Fred Wallace