Logan Couture is backtracking big time on his comments about Sidney Crosby cheating in the faceoff circle.
The San Jose Sharks forward told reporters on Wednesday, the star Pittsburgh Penguins center, known for his faceoff prowess, cheated in the circle. On top of that, he said Crosby gets away of it because who he is.
“He times them & they don’t kick him out for some reason probably because of who he is,” Couture told ESPN.com’s Craig Custance.
Couture’s comments seemed to come out of frustration from being down two games to the Penguins. They certainly came across poorly. On Friday, Couture’s tune changed dramatically.
Couture said that he cheats in the faceoff circle, as does his teammate Joe Thornton and everybody else in the league. He threw a backhanded compliment at Crosby, by saying he’s one of the best at ‘cheating.’
“Everyone cheats on faceoffs. I cheat, Jumbo cheats. That’s how you try and win draws,” Couture told Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo Sports.
“[Crosby’s] one of the best at it,” said Couture.
The 27-year-old told Wyshynski he wasn’t sure that his comments were poorly received.
“I don’t know if it got scrutiny. If it did, it did. If you ask their centermen, they’re going to say we cheat as well,” he said.
I doubt Couture didn’t know his comments were highly criticized otherwise he probably wouldn’t of backtracked. Taking an unnecessary shot at one of the game’s best players did more grief than good. Next time, if he wants to show Crosby up, he should do it on the score sheet.
