Chapter 17

The game seemed like it was moving fast and it was a great game both teams were playing. As the final buzzer went, the game was tied 2-2 and needed an overtime to decide a winner. Karen had watched Sidney and saw he was somewhat quiet on the ice. He made some good passes but it didn't seem like it was typical Sidney on the ice. Before the start of overtime, one of the reporters for the game knew Karen was in the arena and wanted to talk to her. They found her and she obliged going to a quieter part of the arena.

"Thank you. I am here with Karen Crosby and some of you might remember her as a Gold Medal winner in the 1998 Olympics where Team USA beat Team Canada for the Gold in Women's hockey. But today, she is portraying a new role and that is wife to Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. So Karen, let me start off that you seem to be rooting for the right team."

"Yeah, it wasn't a hard decision who I was going to be rooting for tonight."

"But a part of you is torn being American and rooting for your Canadian husband?"

"I guess part of me is torn. I would love to see Team USA get the Gold tonight, but there's something about seeing your husband win it as well."

"And there wouldn't be anymore bragging rights in the Crosby household?"

"True, there wouldn't be."

"We all saw you with Sidney celebrating the Stanley Cup the Penguins won 8 months ago, when you heard he would be on this year's Olympic team, did any doubt enter your mind that he could come here and win the Gold as well?"

"No, not at all. Sidney has such determination when he plays the game, he's going to go out and play hard whether it's for the Stanely Cup, a Gold Medal, or just a regular season game. He was thrilled to be representing his country and I couldn't be more proud of him for getting this opportunity."

"Did you ever think that when you got done playing for Team USA in '98 that somewhere in the future you would be married to another hockey player, let alone Sidney Crosby?"

"No" she said with a little laugh "when I met Sidney in 2008 I never thought it would have ended up to where we are today. I've been through the game and know what he goes through on any given night. He can just be Sidney with me and I think it's a perfect match."

"Well when I asked Sidney about being married to a former Team USA player, he ushered the same sentiments. Thank you Karen and go cheer on your husband to a Gold Medal."

"Thanks, I will"

Sidney was standing in the corridor when he saw Karen on the TV giving an interview. He had heard what she said and couldn't contain his smile. He knew what he needed to do when they went out for overtime.

Karen got back to her seat and saw the players were coming back on for overtime. She felt a little knot in her stomach for not knowing how this game was going to end. Sidney skated around to warm up before going to the bench. As he skated to the bench, he looked in the crowd and saw Karen staring directly at him. He gave her a head nod and she smiled and sent a wink his way. Sidney sat down and hoped the game ended the way it needed to.

The game started and time ticked down with great chances from both the US and Canada. It was a nail-biter to say the least as most of the fans were standing and waiting to see who would be the hero of the game.

As overtime got down to the final three minutes, it seemed to everyone that there was going to be a second overtime to decide the game...or so they thought. The play was in the US end as Canada had the puck, but then it was taken away by the US and headed towards the Canadian goal. Karen was watching Sidney more then the play itself and when he was hanging back, she knew the puck was coming to him. As the puck was turned over and they all skated back into the US end, Sidney called for it and definitely got it. He skated down the side and made a shot towards Ryan Miller. It was a weird angle shot but it managed to go between Ryan's legs and into the net. As soon as Sidney knew it went in, he couldn't contain his excitement and the rest of the team piled around him as Team Canada won the Gold medal. Karen stood there and watched as Sidney got lost in a sea of red and white jerseys and the smile that crept onto her face soon disappeared when she saw the US at their bench looking very much defeated. She knew this was going to be a tough moment and it was. Her home country lost the Gold medal and it was certainly heartbreaking, but to look down the ice and see Sidney skating around celebrating was enough to bring the smile back onto her face.

"You ok Karen?" Trina asked her.

"Yeah, I just knew this was going to be hard but I'll be ok."

"Good because I believe someone is looking for you" she said pointing to the ice.

Karen looked to where she was pointing and smiled. Sidney pointed to her and she instinctly put her hand to her mouth and blew him a kiss. She wished it was like the Stanley Cup and could be down at ice level with him, but they weren't letting anyone down there since they needed to award the medals to the teams. After about 20 minutes, they came out with the carpet and made the announcement. They gave the US their medals and said each player's name as they did. Karen cheered for all of them but was a little louder for Whit and Orps and didn't care who looked at her.

When they were done, they got ready to give the medal to the Canadian team. Karen saw them line up with Sidney at the end. They were able to get through all the guys but when it was Sidney's turn, the crowd erupted and the announcer had to wait until they died down enough to say his name. When the announcement came and they put the Gold medal around his neck, Karen couldn't stop the tears from falling as she was so proud of him for accomplishing one of his dreams.

"I guess I should have waited until now to ask if you're ok" Trina said with a smile.

Karen just laughed and wiped her cheeks "I am definitely ok. I'm just so proud of him."

"You said a mouthful there dear." Just then, they were getting ready to raise the flags and play the national anthem for Canada. As the music started and the crowd started to sing, Trina looked over and heard Karen singing with them. She smiled and put her arm around her as they sang together, watching Sidney and the rest of the team sing for their home country.

After the team took a picture at center ice then skated around for a few minutes before going back to the locker room, Karen and Sidney's family went down to wait and celebrate with him. She knew every single media hound would be after Sidney and she knew it was going to be a long night. Karen was standing back near the interviews and talking with Trina. She heard a few reporters ask for Sidney and said he'd be out next.

When Sidney came out, the first thing he did was scan the sea of media and found Karen standing in the back, smiling at him. She winked and mouthed 'I love you' which got him to smile a lot bigger than what he already was. Karen stood there with his mom and waited until every last reporter finished asking him questions. When they let him go, he gave Karen a head nod which told her to meet him a few feet away. She let his mom, dad and sister hug him first before he grabbed her and wouldn't let her go.

"I am so proud of you Sid" she whispered into his ear.

"I had a little inspiration from the intermission interview I saw" he said pulling back to look at her.

"You heard that?"

Sidney nodded his head "I think having my wife tell millions of viewers how proud she is and how much she loves me gave me that extra boost to win this for you."

"I think you won it for yourself Sid."

"It was a dream achieved, I will admit that. But to win it for the inspiration behind my career, that says a lot."

"Thank you, but you know I will never take full credit for this win. It was you, your determination, and a team of great Canadians playing their hearts out."

"I'll agree to that" he said leaning in to kiss her "I better go and get showered and changed."

"Ok, I'll see you in what, three...four hours?"

"I don't think we'll stay around here for too long. If you want to head back to the hotel, I'll come and get you when I'm done here and before any true celebrating starts."

"Well if time gets short, we can plan a bigger and better celebration once we get home."

"Love the sound of that" he said kissing her again and letting it last a little longer "love you."

"I love you too. See you in a bit." Sidney snuck in one more kiss before heading back into the locker room.