It’s one of those moments athletes wish they could take back, a split-second decision made in the heat of battle that ends up haunting them for years. For former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo, that moment came on a cold December night in 2006 against none other than Sidney Crosby.
Back then, Crosby was still early in his NHL career but already showing the grit, skill, and reputation that would make him one of hockey’s all-time greats. Unfortunately for Colaiacovo, it was also the night he made what he now calls a “dumb mistake,” and it cost his team on the scoreboard.
The Night Things Boiled Over at Mellon Arena
Colaiacovo recently opened up about the incident on TSN’s First Up, painting a vivid picture of the game and the emotions that fueled his decision. The Leafs were playing the Penguins at the old Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh on Dec. 29, 2006, a place Colaiacovo says he “hated playing in” and where bad nights seemed inevitable.
“I would know going in that I would leave the night with a stat of minus-2, minus-3, or minus-4,” he admitted.
During the game, Colaiacovo found himself battling Crosby for the puck. He tried to use his size and positioning to box the Penguins captain out along the boards. But Crosby, as competitive as ever, was not giving an inch. According to Colaiacovo, the two started exchanging physical shots.
“That’s Sidney Crosby you’re playing against!”
This morning on #FirstUp, @CarloColaiacovo shared a story explaining why it’s so tough to play against Sid the Kid. pic.twitter.com/0PHmX8Ju08
— First Up (@FirstUp1050) August 13, 2025
“He just kept throwing elbows at me,” Colaiacovo recalled. “Next thing you know, my wires crossed.”
That’s when frustration took over. Instead of letting the play go or waiting for a whistle, Colaiacovo chased Crosby to the front of the net. In a moment he would later regret, he delivered a two-handed slash right behind Crosby’s knee.
Crosby went down, the referee’s arm shot up, and the Penguins got a power play. They did not waste the opportunity; Pittsburgh scored, making the penalty sting even more.
Back in the locker room during intermission, Leafs coach Paul Maurice did not mince words. “Carl, that’s Sidney Crosby you’re playing against,” Maurice told him. “You can’t be doing that stuff against Sidney Crosby. You’re going to be out of the lineup.”
Colaiacovo, still heated, tried to defend himself. “Did you see the elbows the guy threw at me? He slashed me first,” he told Maurice.
Looking back now, Colaiacovo admits it was his mistake, a lapse in judgment fueled by the intensity of the moment and his dislike for the rink.
