Mark Madden: From Lemieux to Crosby, 4 Nations Face-Off opener was night to savor

I went to my first Pittsburgh Penguins game when I was 7.

My late mother and I had season tickets for the best part of a decade beginning in 1971.

It was all I wanted to watch.

It’s the team I supported as a boy. That never leaves you.

I paid my dues. We all did back then.

I never dreamed we’d see what we have.

But I got a warm, welcome reminder of that Wednesday night when Canada played Sweden at Montreal in the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Mario Lemieux’s name was chanted before the game.

Sidney Crosby’s name was chanted after.

Everything in between was magic. Undeniably tied to Pittsburgh and to the Penguins.

I’ve tried to explain the Crosby phenomenon for years. It’s harder to define than the Lemieux phenomenon. Lemieux’s greatness hit you right between the eyes.

Ex-Penguins GM Jim Rutherford calls Crosby “the greatest winner ever.” Canada coach Jon Cooper said Crosby is “the greatest player to ever represent Canada.”

It’s hard to argue against either description.

I’ve always called Crosby the best grinder ever. (He doesn’t like that.) But it’s hard to pin down exactly what Crosby is.

His leadership. His excellence on the backhand. Popping up at the biggest moments. His acceleration. Playing slot to slot. His deceptive physicality. His utter unselfishness. His uncompromised lust for winning. His off-ice demeanor. His class and character.

The description goes on and on. But you still feel like you barely scratched the surface. At 37, he keeps adding to his resume. Keeps dominating.

One thing is certain: Crosby personifies consistency.

His 26-0 streak playing for Canada dates back to 2010. That’s worthy of the Undertaker at WrestleMania.

He’s averaged over a point per game in each of his 20 NHL seasons. No other player has done that. (Wayne Gretzky got a point per game or better in his first 19 seasons.)

Crosby’s three primary assists in Canada’s 4-3 overtime win Wednesday were a tour de force of his playmaking skills: He slid a backhand pass through a defenseman’s legs for a Nathan MacKinnon tap-in. He held off a defender and connected with Mark Stone coming late. He hit Mitch Marner bursting to the blue line with speed. Marner found a lane and ended the game.

Crosby’s last apple came as he was ending his shift and hustling to get onside. He was on the bench when Marner tallied.

Only Crosby could find a seat, then watch one of his own highlights come good.

Crosby is playing hurt, don’t forget. Imagine if he was 100%.

I root for Canada when Crosby’s playing. I did the same when Lemieux played.

That doesn’t make me a bad American. I’m not pulling for Charlie to kill our boys in ’Nam. It’s a hockey tournament.

I’ve never been more conflicted than when Canada played the U.S. for the gold medal in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics: Lemieux vs. Herb Brooks. Lemieux won. Good. Brooks already had his gold medal, and he could never top 1980.

Crosby has been underrated (and certainly underhyped) when he plays for the Penguins. But Crosby’s success with Canada ups his stock greatly when it comes to his legacy, and that’s good.

Six-time Stanley Cup champion Mark Messier recently listed Crosby among his top five players ever.

Everybody should.

Lemieux, Bobby Orr, Gretzky, Crosby and Gordie Howe. That’s how I rank them. But those should be everybody’s top five in some order.

Winning and starring with Canada gives Crosby additional shine. It makes Messier’s opinions (and mine) more prevalent. It brings what should be thought anyway to the forefront.

The United States has the best team at the 4 Nations. But how could you bet against Crosby?

Saturday’s round-robin game will likely be a preview of the final. But the drama is thick. Will the U.S. be the team to put the one in 26-1?

Meantime, we have Wednesday to savor: Lemieux and Crosby on the ice together, two Pittsburgh guys, basking in the spotlight (however reluctantly).

I keep getting told Pittsburgh should feel lucky Mike Tomlin is coaching the Steelers.

Nah. Wednesday night is what makes me feel lucky. I witnessed everything those two have done. Seven-year-old me can’t believe it. And the wheel rolls on.