Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby Shockingly Cleared for Contact, Return Is Soon

The Pittsburgh Penguins took the ice this morning for their pre-game skate, before tonight’s contest against the Washington Capitals at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. Nothing new there, as the team usually takes the ice to get warmed up, work on some things on offense and defense and go over their game plan for tonight, against their rivals, the Washington Capitals. Tonight, the Pens will have a daunting task trying to stop a team that has been a thorn in their side.

But wait, who’s that player wearing that number 87 jersey skating around with a black helmet on?

Wait, it can’t be, it isn’t Sidney Crosby, who’s been out since January with a concussion, wearing a helmet like everyone else meaning he could have been cleared for contact?  

As the kids would say today, “OMG!” Yes, it is Crosby out there with his Penguins team for the morning skate before tonight's game!  

According to the blog site, The Pensblog, it looks as if Crosby has been cleared for contact during practice, as the website posted a picture of Crosby donning the black helmet. This follows a report from Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Penguins beat writer, Shelly Anderson, who was at the morning’s practice, saying that “ Crosby was scheduled to see his medical team this week. Perhaps it was this morning or late yesterday.” 

Either way, there will be a lot of questions that will have to be answered by Crosby and the Penguins staff after this morning’s skate.  

Is today’s skate a sign that Crosby is expected to return soon? Will Crosby be a go for tonight’s game against the team that started this concussion, that Crosby has been sidelined with since January 6th?

The hockey world will be buzzing over Crosby’s skating with his team this morning. If this means that he’s going to be back with the team fully, it gives the Penguins their captain and leading scorer back into their lineup.

Love him or hate him, Crosby is the face of the NHL. News of his skating and possible return to full time action today will be the lead on hockey websites and will make ESPN’s “Sports Center.”

Today’s practice is a sign that his brain is finally healed up and he is ready to dominate the sport once again. Penguins former head coach, “Badger” Bob Johnson’s famous line and Penguins slogan, sums up this news about Crosby: “It’s a great day for hockey.” 

Twitter: @tjmcaloon

UPDATE: After practice Crosby has said, that he is cleared for full practice and calls it a "step in the right direction."