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Bylsma had no inkling of Crosby's return
By
CHRIS STEVENSON, QMI Agency
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  The Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (R) shares a laugh with head coach Dan Bylsma during the "morning skate" in preparation for his return to action Monday night against the New York Islanders in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 21, 2011. (REUTERS/David DeNoma)
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PITTSBURGH - If anybody knew beforehand when Sidney Crosby would return, well, Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Bylsma wishes he was in on it.
Bylsma was at his son's hockey game Sunday when he got a call from Pens general manager Ray Shero telling him Crosby had been cleared to return Monday night against the New York Islanders. Crosby had been out for almost 11 months with a concussion.
Bylsma said he, his wife and some family members were in the crowd, as well as Penguins fans.
"I always get the question about when Sidney's coming back," Bylsma said Monday, "and if anyone thought it was a pre-determined date, my wife gave away the tickets to this (Monday night) game two days ago, so my family doesn't have tickets for (Crosby's return)."
Monday's game instantly became a tough ticket.
Each of the Penguins are featured on a ticket at some point this season and -- you guessed it -- Crosby's photo is on the ticket for Monday night's game.
It's not the first time this season his photo has been on a ticket, but the timing is interesting.
When centre Evgeni Malkin returning from a knee problem earlier this season, his picture was on the ticket for the first home game he played.
chris.stevenson@sunmedia.ca
twitter.com/CJ_Stevenson
