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That Was Thuggery And It Was Pittsburgh Driven

April 16, 2012, 11:32 AM ET [30 Comments]
Tim Panaccio
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Eklund asks the question as to whether respect has left the game of hockey.

I think the resounding answer is ... yes. And I don't think what transpired Sunday in Philly is anything to tip the scales in that direction.

It was tipped long before that. When a player of such caliber as Shea Weber punches an equally-important superstar like Henrik Zetterberg in the head, and gets away with it because Brendan Shanahan is afraid to be accused of "favoritism," that tells you where the hell respect has gone.

Arron Asham punching a defenseless player in the back of the head as he lies face down on the ice?

That's not hockey. That's assault.

Bob Clarke said back in the late 1990s that he felt respect had disappeared from the game because of the way players tried to hurt each other on board checks.

It continues to worsen every season.

Kimmo Timonen has played 13 years in the NHL and Sunday was the first time I saw him lecture about the disintegration of game and lack of respect from players.

I found it rather distasteful that the Penguins tried to deliberately injure Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier. I found it shocking that James Neal would lower himself to such.

I found it distasteful that Sidney Crosby pretty much initiated every scrum. And so did Timonen.

Here's the transcript, courtesy of the Flyers:

Q: Are you disappointed to see these attempts on your skilled players?

"I think if you look around the whole Playoffs it has been like that. It is not just our game. I watched some games last night and I don't know what that is. I am disappointed. There are some guys running around that are not supposed to and I don't understand that."

Q: Have you not seen that? You are a veteran.

"No I haven't. I've watched a lot of hockey. I watched some yesterday and I see it in different games and our game too. If they are going to win that way, it is not working for them. Hopefully they do it one more time."

Q: Were moments calculated?

"I don't think they are calculated, but there are some guys running around that don't usually do that. I don't know why you would change your game for the Playoffs. I don't like that. Like I said, if they think they are going to win that way, go ahead and do it."

Q: Was Crosby one of those guys?

"I don't know. Obviously they are going to protect him. If he gets in a scrum, they are all going to be out there making sure he is not the one who is going to."

Q: On what happened before Crosby scrum

"I don't mind that because it happens. If you play hard, you play hard. If you are a hard forechecking guy then you do that. The problem I have is when there are guys who are running around and they don't normally do that."

You wonder what will be Brendan Shanahan's reaction in the league office today in terms of suspensions and fines. If any.

You know never with Shanny, anymore.
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