Double trouble: Hometown heroes Crosby, MacKinnon work Tim Hortons drive-thru

Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon stopped by a Tim Hortons in Dartmouth in September 2015 to shoot a commercial for the coffee chain, much to the surprise of customers. (YouTube)

Two of the world’s best hockey players had some coffee lovers doing a double take when picking up their double doubles.

Cole Harbour natives Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon stopped by a Tim Hortons in Dartmouth this summer to shoot a commercial for the coffee chain and now the finished product is ready to serve up to viewers.

Customers were stunned to find the NHLers taking their orders at the drive-thru.

“Everything from disbelief to a couple of customers that literally just, it blew their mind,” says Troy Ryan, restaurant manager.

In eight videos posted to YouTube, the Pittsburgh Penguins captain and Colorado Avalanche centre struggle to open the drive-thru window, can’t contain their laughter when a customer mispronounces “jalapeno,” and offer one customer tea instead of the coffee she ordered.

“No, no, we’ll get you coffee,” promises Crosby. “It’s the first day on the job, you know.”

The superstars showed they are definitely better at scoring goals than scoring tips.

“They didn’t make any tips, except for maybe a couple of tips on how to make coffee,” says Ryan.

Phil Otto, CEO of a Halifax marketing firm, calls the commercials brilliant and Tim Hortons a part of Canada’s identity.

“When you think of Canada it’s one of the hallmarks, one of the pillars of our society,” says Otto. “It’s a big part of our culture and so are MacKinnon and Crosby and it’s a perfect match.

Ryan says the two are welcome back anytime, but as customers.

“It’s probably best for them to stay in the NHL– keep their day jobs,” he says.