WEST POINT, N.Y. -- Penguins captain Sidney Crosby left practice early yesterday when he began to feel groin soreness. His status is day to day.

Crosby said the pain came on gradually during the workout and was not as severe as in November, when he missed three games because of a groin injury. He was hoping to take part in military style workouts and team building at the United States Military Academy later yesterday, today and tomorrow.

"I want to be doing all that stuff, especially the team building," he said, adding that he doesn't want to risk aggravating the condition.

"I know I have to be careful," Crosby said.

Coach Michel Therrien was not worried that Crosby will be hindered for long.

"It's not a major thing," Therrien said.

Winger Georges Laraque also left practice early, because of hip soreness and is day to day.

Hometown interest

Members of the Army hockey team attended the Penguins practice at Tate Rink. The Black Knights' starting goaltender was especially interested in watching.

That's because Josh Kassel grew up in Greensburg and went to Latrobe High School before moving to Michigan to play a season of midget AAA hockey his junior year and to Bozeman, Mont., to play Junior A hockey his senior year.

"This is great," said Kassel, a lanky 6-foot-2, 180-pound junior who was 18-11-4 with four shutouts, a 2.31 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage last season.

"We get out of school for a day, and we get to see what they do."

Kassel's family still lives in Westmoreland County.

Slap shots

The team was scheduled to have lunch with the Army cadets after practice, then begin some of the team-building exercises. ... The New York Rangers spent a day here last week, and the Florida Panthers will be here for three days next week. The three NHL teams are the most West Point has had in one year. ... Although he's not expected to practice for at least the next few days after having his broken nose reset, winger Petr Sykora traveled with the team.