Sidney Crosby autographs stick for Rangers fan who chirped him

By now, it’s late news to point out that the Penguins smoked the New York Rangers in their own building last night by a score of 7-2. It was the first meeting between the Metropolitan Division rivals this season, and the Penguins made it look easy.

Sidney Crosby showed up on the score sheet with an assist and a goal en route to his team’s big win.

This morning, it was revealed that he treated a Rangers fan, who was giving him a hard time while in the penalty box last night, pretty well.

All I can think about after seeing this is:

A. That’s a pretty good own by Crosby to give an autographed stick to a Rangers fan.

B. He’s listening to everything from everyone at all times. His awareness rating in real life must be 300/100.

ESPN reporter Greg Wyshynski tracked down the heckler, who turned out to be a gentleman named Nick Lipeika attending the game with his season ticket-holding friend:

Lipeika did have material ready in case the Penguins captain was penalized. At 2:55 of the first period, Crosby was sent to the sin bin, after tripping Jesper Fast of the Rangers. “It was like a late Christmas present,” said Lipeika.

He began laying into him, starting each taunt with an exaggerated “heyyyyy Crosby” before shouting his chirps. “He’s probably heard it all. For me, I wanted to tell him things he hasn’t heard before,” he said. “He’s won everything. That’s why everyone wants to heckle him.”

Among the highlights:

”Hey Crosby, [Evgeni] Malkin would have more Cups if he had a better supporting cast.”

”Hey Crosby, you were voted third toughest Canadian, behind Celine Dion and a close second to Avril Lavigne.”

”Hey Crosby, when Gatorade wanted a tough guy, Justin Bieber turned them down so they settled for you.”

”Hey Crosby, Malkin wants to know where your Calder Memorial Trophy is.” (Please note that for all of Crosby’s accomplishments, NHL rookie of the year was not one of them, while Malkin won it in 2007.)

It’s refreshing to see these kind of lighthearted, funny stories happening around the NHL. All in all, this is pretty great stuff.