No athlete entered the Olympics with more pressure on him than Sydney Crosby. That may have been a room full of all-stars and hall of famers, but all eyes and the weight of an entire nation were on the ‘Next One.’ So it was only fitting he was the one to rip the American’s hearts out with the game winner in O.T. yesterday.

Never mind that the guy really had done anything in two games, and missed a breakaway late that could have iced it for the Canadians. It didn’t matter! It never does with the prodigies. They’ll go a game or two or a month without doing anything and then make the biggest play imaginable in one of the biggest moments ever. That’s what makes them who they are. And that’s what Crosby did.

No one has ever had more hype and more pressure than “Sid the Kid”. And not only has he lived up to it, he’s exceeded it. The guy has won a Stanley Cup and a Gold Medal in the last 7 months alone. And not only is he still just 22…it’s a scary 22. He’s way ahead, for instance of where Mario Lemieux was when he was 22. Mario certainly didn’t have Sid’s resume then, and he wasn’t the leader. Nor, did he compete the way Crosby does now.

And the best thing about the kid…is his mentality. None of this will infect his dome. He’ll stay hungry, and will respect the game. He has a great work ethic. And while he has the swagger, he doesn’t have the arrogance that has ruined so many of the other “would be superstars”.

So, if he does have a down season or a bad injury, he has the character and the heart to bounce back. You’re not keeping this kid down! And coming off the greatest year any player has ever had, at 22, he may still have another 15 left. Very scary!