Canucks should build a Crosby golden-goal statue to honour Vancouver 2010

Sidney Crosby added to his Canadian hockey legend status on Wednesday.

With fans in Montreal chanting his name, Crosby set up Team Canada’s overtime-winning goal by Mitch Marner. It capped off a brilliant night for the Canadian captain, who had three assists in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament opener.

“He will go down as the greatest player to represent his country,” said Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper, referencing the many great moments Crosby has had playing internationally.

Crosby, more than any other current hockey player, is beloved in all corners of Canada. And he has a special connection to Vancouver in particular.

The most famous goal ever scored at Rogers Arena is also one of the most famous goals in hockey history — Sidney Crosby’s golden goal to win the Vancouver 2010 Olympic gold medal for Canada in men’s hockey.

Seems like the kind of goal that should get immortalized with a statue one day, doesn’t it?

It may seem like yesterday, but it has actually been 15 years since Vancouver 2010. Sid’s not a kid anymore and at age 37, he probably doesn’t have many years left as an NHL player.

The Canucks own Rogers Arena and Crosby has played his entire career for another team in the Pittsburgh Penguins, so maybe it’s not a perfect fit. But as fans in Montreal showed on Wednesday, it doesn’t have to be.

“The roof was coming off,” Cooper said of the ovation Crosby got from fans in Montreal pre-game. “That just shows you how much people care about him and respect him in this country.”

There is a Vancouver 2010 display inside Rogers Arena, on the 300 level near, that includes memorabilia and a television that plays the golden goal on a loop.

But how about something more permanent outside?

Seems like a no-brainer to me.

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