It’s one of those moments athletes wish they could erase—a split-second decision in the heat of competition that lingers for years. For former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo, that moment came on a cold December night in 2006 against Sidney Crosby.
At the time, Sidney Crosby was still early in his NHL career but already showing the skill, grit, and intensity that would make him one of hockey’s all-time greats.
Colaiacovo recently opened up about the incident on TSN’s First Up: “I would know going in that I would leave the night with a stat of minus-2, minus-3, or minus-4,” he said, recalling the game and the pressure of playing in Pittsburgh’s Mellon Arena.
How did one split-second decision change the game?
During the matchup, Colaiacovo battled Crosby along the boards. Physical exchanges escalated as both players jostled for control. “He just kept throwing elbows at me. Next thing you know, my wires crossed,” Colaiacovo recalled.
Frustration took over, leading him to chase Crosby to the front of the net and deliver a two-handed slash behind Crosby’s knee. The referee immediately signaled a penalty, which resulted in a Pittsburgh power play goal.
What was the locker room reaction after the incident?
In the locker room, Leafs coach Paul Maurice addressed the situation bluntly: “Carl, that’s Sidney Crosby you’re playing against. You can’t be doing that stuff against Sidney Crosby. You’re going to be out of the lineup.”
Colaiacovo, still heated, tried to justify his actions: “Did you see the elbows the guy threw at me? He slashed me first.” Looking back, he admits it was a lapse in judgment fueled by the intensity of the moment and his dislike for the rink.
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Reflecting on the incident today, Colaiacovo sees it as a defining moment in his career—one that taught him lessons about discipline, timing, and the stakes of facing elite competition. Though years have passed, the memory of that night against Crosby remains vivid.