Reactions to Dave Steckel, Sidney Crosby Collision

PITTSBURGH -- One of the more noteworthy plays of the 2011 Winter Classic was the collision between Washington Capital forward Dave Steckel and Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. The play resulted in Crosby being slow to leave the ice at the end of the second period as he was clearly shaken up. The contact happened behind the play as both players were turning to head up the ice, when Crosby was suddenly on the receiving end of a blind side collision.

Crosby ended up returning to the game at the start of the third period and did not miss a shift.

2011 NHL Winter Classic

• Fehr Leads Capitals Past Penguins
• 2011 Winter Classic Report Card
• Video: Views Around Heinz Field
• Video: Heinz Field Atmosphere
• Sidney Crosby Shaken by Collision
• Video: Rupp-Erskine Fight
"I couldn't even tell you what happened," said Crosby. "I think the puck was going the other way. I turned and the next thing I know, I am down. I can't really comment on it. It's pretty far behind the play. Maybe the refs didn't even see it. A lot of people didn't. But I don't even know. Got in my head, that's for sure. But I don't know how it developed."

Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said he did not see the contact because it was so far behind the action, but did comment that one person upstairs said it looked to be coincidental contact.

Steckel, who logged over 14 minutes of ice time and recorded three shots on goal, said the hit wasn't intentional.

"I was heading up the ice hoping to go on a 3-on-2," said Steckel. "I know it wasn't on purpose."

In all honesty, had the play not involved Crosby it likely wouldn't have been as dissected and discussed as it was during and after the game, but such is life when something -- anything -- involves the NHL's leading scorer.

The game also featured a brutal fight between Mike Rupp and John Erskine, and a heated exchange between the two teams in the closing seconds of regulation, another example of how strong this rivalry is (and has always been).