Rossi: Bring me your loyalties

TAMPA, Fla. — My New Year's resolution would be to break that should-be unbreakable code among sports journalists, the one that keeps us from holding rooting interests in the sports we cover.

Trouble is I've already broken it.

Readers deserve to know that I recently interviewed several Penguins with the following thought in my mind:

I hope you lose.

I have wondered what words best describe my actions?

Shameful. Disgraceful. Unethical.

I awoke Friday with the one that best fits: Logical.

See, the Penguins whom I hope lose are Russians and Canadians, and the games I hope they lose will be played in February at the Vancouver Olympics.

Hey, I'm an American. I want to see Americans win gold in men's ice hockey at the Vancouver Games. It's been a while, you know.

It's been 30 years, actually. I was three months from turning 2 for the "Miracle on Ice" in 1980, and at seven Olympics since, the best U.S finishes were fourth (1992) and seventh (2002).

Maybe admitting that I'll be pulling for my country at Vancouver — though not by, say, doing handstands in the press box if Team USA scores — renders me a lesser journalist. I can live with myself if that is the case.

I ask my American readers how they plan to live during the Olympics. Root for your country or the country of your favorite Penguins player?

Easy call, I'd say; but your say is what matters.

Over the next few weeks I would like to hear from Penguins fans who will root for Canada because they like Sidney Crosby and cheer for Russia because they dig Evgeni Malkin — because I suspect some American-born Penguins fans loyalties to the club's two superstars may divide their loyalties to Uncle Sam's Olympic squad.

Tell me your story via e-mail . I'm curious if it matches the tale of a high-school teacher friend of mine who explained last August why he would root for Canada in February.

"After everything that kid has done for the Penguins; (heck) yeah, I'm rooting for Canada," he said, adding that the sweater worn by Olympians is "just a jersey."

The crest on the jerseys American hockey players will wear at the Olympics consists of three letters: USA.

Those letters are enough for me; but if the skating penguin crest worn by Crosby and Malkin has steered the rooting interests of readers in another direction, please tell me why .

Face-off

Columnist Joe Starkey and beat reporter Rob Rossi take the circle for this week's question: What is your Penguins-related prediction for 2010?

Rossi: Every great dynasty has a hiccup, and these Penguins will learn that this spring with an early exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs. A combination of mental and physical fatigue from two long playoff runs, Olympic duty for their star centers, an improved Eastern Conference at the top and just plain being due for some bad luck will keep the champs from reaching the conference final.

Starkey: Holy horse flies, Rossi. You drank too much Christmas eggnog. The Penguins are plenty young enough to fight through the mental, physical and emotional challenges of a third straight run to the Final. They're also the best team, which is highly recommended. When the playoffs hit, their game will take off. I'm convinced of it.