But I’m here to dispel the notion that Claude Giroux and Sidney Crosby are best buds. Don’t worry Flyers fans, (and the three real Pens fans that are out there) we’ll break this down nice and slow.
The playoff series encapsulated the Flyers-Pens rivalry down to two young men, both leading scorers for their clubs, both team captains, and both holding the title of “best player in the world” by their respective coaches.
So here we are, three years later and we see Giroux and Crosby on the same team, albeit Team Canada for a tournament that really no one cares about in North America because it runs at the same time of the GREATEST playoffs in all of sports. So while North Americans, and the respective fanbases for the Flyers and Penguins might be revolted by the sight of Giroux and Crosby sharing a hug or a stick tap after a goal, let us remember that sometimes players who don’t like one another, end up on the same side in international play.
For instance, there was no outrageous claim that Mike Richards and Sidney Crosby were best buds when they did this:
The point is, NHL players, as much as they love competing for the Stanley Cup each and every year, and despise the villains that serve as obstacles in their path, sometimes like to represent their country and when that happens, sometimes their greatest foes become their strongest allies. Take for instance the 2010 Olympics for Team USA. As a Flyers fan, you’re bred to hate the Rangers, every stinkin’ player—but during the Gold Medal game was anyone hoping for Ryan Callahan to trip and smash his face into the wall? Probably not.
Four years later, you think Flyers fans were hoping Patrick Kane would tear his ACL or something against the Russians in the Quarterfinals because of his Stanley Cup overtime-winning goal in 2010 (Freakin’ Michael Leighton)? Chances are, no. International play means pride in your nation, even when sometimes you can’t stand some of the guys on the team for the other 48 weeks of the year.
So, in conclusion, no—I don’t expect Giroux and Crosby to go on picnics together and become friends on Facebook, or follow each other on Twitter. There’s still animosity between the two, and if you don’t believe me, then believe Claude Giroux:
http://www.svt.se/wd?widgetId=23991§ionId=541&articleId=2900355&&contextSectionId=541&position=0
(Hopefully the link works...)
And if you don't believe Claude Giroux, then here's Sid the Kid:
They don’t like each other.