Tocchet and Crosby have had individual success — often in stunning game-defining fashion or playing in pain while representing Canada — and are intent on helping history repeat itself in 4-Nations Face-Off
They have enjoyed incredible individual success — often in stunning game-defining fashion or playing in pain while representing Canada — and are intent on helping history repeat itself when the 4-Nations Face-Off tournament opens Wednesday against Sweden in Montreal.
Tocchet captured a pair of Canada Cup titles as a grinding and productive winger in 1987 and 1991, while Crosby won Olympic gold in 2010 and 2014, world championship title in 2015, and World Cup of Hockey crown in 2016.
His “Golden Goal” to solidify the 2010 triumph in Vancouver merits the all-time Canadian international performance podium. It includes Paul Henderson’s stunning 1972 Summit Series last-minute, series-winning effort in Game 8 against the Soviet Union, and Mario Lemieux’s goal with less than two minutes left to edge the Soviets in the 1987 Canada Cup finale.
Fast forward and the past is meeting the present in the best possible way.
Tocchet is a detail-oriented Team Canada assistant coach and Crosby the consummate captain — the same roles they relished with the Pittsburgh Penguins for three NHL seasons — and the good stuff that makes up their hockey DNA will be on display once again.
History provides the proof.
Tocchet is the reigning Jack Adams Award winner for the driven manner in which he rejuvenated the Canucks to claim the Pacific Division title last season.
Crosby remains a galvanizing force, even at age 37, for how he drags the struggling Penguins into the fight every night. And for how he remains the foundation for building any Canadian entry for significant international play.
It’s why Tocchet constantly references Crosby in trying to get the best out of the Canucks. His unwavering drive, dedication and desire to remain among the NHL elite is a coach’s treat.
“How many more years is he going to play? He could play into his 40s,” Tocchet told Postmedia. “He takes care of himself, and his hockey I.Q. is outstanding. The one thing people don’t understand is that Sid doesn’t cheat.
“He plays a 200-foot game. If he really wanted to — and I keep telling people this — Sid could play another five years.”
When Crosby spoke to Tocchet before the 4-Nations Face-Off, and wanted to know the details of positioning on draws if moved from centre to the wing, it was another meaningful moment in their bond.
“That’s the detail that a kid like Sid would want to know, and to me, that incredible,” Tocchet told NHL.com.
Crosby will also gut it out Wednesday after suffering an injury in a collision with Luke Hughes and Erik Haula of the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 4. He missed the next two games before the NHL break, but then got medical clearance to represent his country.
“I’ve talked to the docs and had some good dialogue with the coaches and just seeing where I was at,” said Crosby. “Everything went well. I feel good from that standpoint. This is an awesome opportunity, something I haven’t done in a long time.”
Crosby’s frustration on a season gone south for the Penguins was evident Nov. 22 when he fought Kyle Connor of the Winnipeg Jets in the third period of a 4-1 home-ice loss. Crosby, who finished with zero shots, took exception to a counter hit from Connor with the Penguins trailing 3-0 early in the third period.
Crosby dropped the mitts in a regular-season game for the first time in five years.
The next night, the Penguins were throttled 6-1 by visiting Utah. The only solace was Crosby reaching the 600 plateau in career goals. He became the 21st player in NHL history to hit that mark. Sid is no longer “The Kid”, but he still plays like one.
“It’s a nice number,” he said of his 600 goals. “I think that’s something you probably think about more after the fact, when you’re done playing.”
That’s because Crosby lives and plays in the present, whether hurt or not.
Tocchet was also ailing when he played an unexpected and pivotal role in a spirited rally as his country claimed the best-of-three Canada Cup final in 1987 with a dramatic 6-5 win over the Soviet Union in Hamilton.
The 22-year-old emerging blood-and-guts force with the Philadelphia Flyers missed the semifinal and Game 2 of the final with a sprained knee. His awkward and choppy stride didn’t deter the winger when the Soviets struck for three goals in the opening eight minutes.
Tocchet bullied his way to the net to score a power-play goal and then did the dirty work to set up Brian Propp less than six minutes later. The Copps Coliseum crowd went nuts.
However, it would take a historic effort by Wayne Gretzky and Lemieux to end the drama with 1:26 remaining. The pair sped away and Lemieux delivered the dagger. And then Gretzky delivered a telling post-game line.
“Tocchet was out there on one leg and turned the game around for us,” said the Great One.
And, of course, it was much more than just a game.
“I remember the politics of the time, how (the Russians) were seen by many as the superior team, the Red Army, and how they trained together every hour of the day to become this big red machine,” Tocchet told NHL.com. “Those games were magical for me.
“You could tell there was hatred in the competitiveness.”