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Crosby's Shot Provides Frozen Moment In Time

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By IRA PODELL The Associated Press

Published: January 2, 2008

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Sidney Crosby can expect chilly receptions every time he returns to Buffalo.

Some snow, a shootout and Sid the Kid's winning goal added up to a perfect hockey day outside that will forever be frozen in time.

The Penguins captain somehow saw space between Ryan Miller's pads as he shuffled through driving snow and gave Pittsburgh a 2-1 shootout win against the Buffalo Sabres at the outdoor Winter Classic in front of an NHL-record 71,217 fans Tuesday.

"Growing up, I played a lot outside," said Crosby, a Nova Scotia native. "When you see 70,000 people jammed into a stadium to watch hockey, it's a good sign. The atmosphere and environment, I don't think you can beat that."

In elements more suited for football than hockey, Crosby won the NHL's second outdoor game - and first in the United States - in the most dramatic fashion at Ralph Wilson Stadium, home to the Buffalo Bills.

Crosby skated down the middle, eluded a pokecheck by Miller and put a shot between the goalie's pads in the final round.

"I like facing Sidney. I really want to stop him, obviously," Miller said. "I thought I made a good play to stay with him. I didn't think he made quite the play he wanted, but it worked out for him."

"I'd love to do it again. I thought it was awesome," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "It was good for the game. It may not be the best hockey game because of the situation, because of the weather, because of the snow, but the atmosphere was incredible.

"The hell with the cynics."

One enthusiastic patron held a poster that read, "Look Mom, no roof."

Tuesday's winning goalie, Ty Conklin, had taken the loss in host Edmonton's 4-3 defeat to Montreal on Nov. 22, 2003, before a then-record 57,167.

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