Detroit Red Wings right-winger Marian Hossa, the man they’re taking great delight in savaging all over Pittsburgh, rose to the defence of Penguins captain Sidney Crosby over his Stanley Cup faux pas of showing up late for the traditional post-game handshake following Pittsburgh’s 2-1 win over Detroit in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final Friday at Joe Louis Arena.

“After the game, when I start shaking their hands, I did not think, ‘Who is there and who is not there?’” Hossa said. “After, I think about it and I thought that I did not remember shaking hands with Sid. I’m sure he was caught in the emotion and did not know where he was. I know him. He wouldn’t do it deliberately. He is a great guy. I think he was just excited and caught up in the emotion.”