Crosby fan to see his hero play in Pittsburgh, thanks to season-ticket holder

By Yvette d'Entremont - The Weekly News
LOWER SACKVILLE - An American stranger who offered to help a Lower Sackville boy's dream come true has delivered.
Benjamin Kerrivan, 9, was crushed when a teenager ripped a newly signed Sidney Crosby hockey card out of his hand before dashing off into a huge crowd during the Stanley Cup visit last August.
Tim Wilkie, an American living in New Jersey, wrote to The Weekly News last September requesting the email address for Kerrivan's mother.
A Pittsburgh Penguins season tickets holder, Wilkie offered the family two tickets to any upcoming game.
The ecstatic youngster mulled it over and decided he wanted to see Pittsburgh play the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 31.
True to his word, Wilkie sent Kerrivan two tickets for the Jan. 31 game in Pittsburgh.
"He hoped to have (the tickets) arrive here in time for Christmas to put them under the tree but although they were sent first class they didn't get here because of the Christmas rush," said Benjamin's mother, Tammy Kerrivan.
But the generous gift did arrive just in time for New Year's Eve. Benjamin and his mother Tammy are now busily preparing for their whirlwind trip to Pittsburgh.
"It's going to be a good rivalry. They played each other the first time for the cup and Detroit won, then they played again for the cup last time and Pittsburgh won," Benjamin explained. "It's going to be a good game to watch."
Benjamin and his mother have already secured their passports and are booking their flight this week. They'll arrive in Pittsburgh Jan. 30, watch the game on Jan. 31 and return home Feb. 1.
Benjamin has been saving his pennies and received a generous donation of spending money as a Christmas gift from his grandparents. He intends to buy special souvenirs to remember his trip. In addition to his first live NHL hockey game, this will also be Benjamin's first time on a plane.
"I'm really excited, but kind of scared about the flight," he said.
The family is grateful to Wilkie for going out of his way for strangers.
"He's a pretty amazing fellow, that's for sure," Tammy said.
ydentremont@hfxnews.ca