That was a dirty play by Thorton, but honestly this is hilarious.

Rinaldo is a dirty player, Kaleta is a dirty player, and so is Neal. Teams employ these guys but to defend them is along the lines of homerism.
- flyer_nutter

This is simply what they said about Ovechkin years ago when he went knee-on-knee with Gonchar. On purpose. With not even a penalty called. All the talking heads simply said Ovechkin skates with a wide stance, and isn't always aware of what he's doing on the ice because he plays with so much passion.

If it's good enough for Douchevechkin, it's good enough for Neal.

That is just a poke at Caps fans for all of his knees that aren't dirty. Everyone knows Neal had intent on that. Not that it was right, but it was for the slew foot on Niskanen
- mw630

Yeah. What he said.

how is it possible Despres gets no PP time?
- madmike71

And Engelland spends half the time out there...

I think that he gets 2 games... just a punk move.
- rival22

there's just no respect between guys anymore. really don't know when it stopped.

I know marchand's a little punk, but that doesn't justify kneeing him in the head.

There is nothing worse than these Boston announcers. The comments about Letang's little jabs are laughable when every single bruin punches someone in the face if they get checked.

This is simply what they said about Ovechkin years ago when he went knee-on-knee with Gonchar. On purpose. With not even a penalty called. All the talking heads simply said Ovechkin skates with a wide stance, and isn't always aware of what he's doing on the ice because he plays with so much passion.

If it's good enough for Douchevechkin, it's good enough for Neal.
- Kineada

Makes sense now then.

I think more of an issue is that players in the league think this is acceptable behaviour, or it even crosses their mind. We hear a lot about culture but you would never see something like that in football, or rugby.

I agree that Shanahan needs to come down hard here, for more than say 15 games. Things are getting kind of bush league in the NHL.

And Engelland spends half the time out there...
- kfinl170

Only 5 D on the bench and Despres doesn't get a shift on a 4 min PP. Amazing.

There is nothing worse than these Boston announcers. The comments about Letang's little jabs are laughable when every single bruin punches someone in the face if they get checked.
- mw630

Boston, and Toronto are the worst that I have seen personally.

Should be a good year for you guys, I see really only the Bruins and Detriot being able to challenge out of the East.

You know injuries are bad when Engo is gettin PP time

There is nothing worse than these Boston announcers. The comments about Letang's little jabs are laughable when every single bruin punches someone in the face if they get checked.
- mw630

I'm pretty relieved when Letang is throwing little jabs. Then at least I know he's aware someone is standing next to him instead of floating around in space covering no one.

So odds on the League ruling that Orpik dove.


I know montreal tried to bring charges on Chara for his hit on Max, which I didnt agree with. But this isnt making a check. This is straight up slew foot to face punching. I wonder if charges in this case could be brought up. Interesting thought. Thornton has usually been a pretty solid guy and role player. I kinda wish I was watching the game to see what was going on before hand.

there's just no respect between guys anymore. really don't know when it stopped.
- SuperHenderson13

1992 When they decided to start calling instigator penalties.

God Marchand is a scummy POS.... hatred for him grows everytime we play

Boston, and Toronto are the worst that I have seen personally.

Should be a good year for you guys, I see really only the Bruins and Detriot being able to challenge out of the East.
- flyer_nutter

They need a warning before the broadcast about the extreme level of homerism that you are going to be subjected to. So funny there was no mention of Marchand punching maata in the face again after that hit. No mention of it at all.

God Marchand is a scummy POS.... hatred for him grows everytime we play
- kfinl170

Feeling better about Neal kneeing his head.

Makes sense now then.

I think more of an issue is that players in the league think this is acceptable behaviour, or it even crosses their mind. We hear a lot about culture but you would never see something like that in football, or rugby.

I agree that Shanahan needs to come down hard here, for more than say 15 games. Things are getting kind of bush league in the NHL.
- flyer_nutter

Honestly, I find any play like that to be disgusting. In the twenty years I've played hockey, I can count on one hand the number of guys I've been teammates with who would engage in behavior like that on the ice.

A hook and tug on a guy who is otherwise going to be on a breakaway is one thing...purposeful goonery, knee on knee, and especially cheapshotting a guy when there isn't even play going on, is just flat out disgusting.

Granted, I don't have a career involving what could be hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars on the line when I step on the ice, but I've always liked to believe that hockey players in general were a bit classier than the average "athlete". poop like this tonight doesn't really prove that, that's for sure...

Cory ‏@ThreeRiversBlog 26m
I will say again I think that you should lose the roster spot of any player suspended. Penalize the player and the team. That’s significant


This is a good idea.

Feeling better about Neal kneeing his head.
- madmike71

God Marchand is a scummy POS.... hatred for him grows everytime we play
- kfinl170

I'd take him Lucic and Bergeron off that team any day of the week

1992 When they decided to start calling instigator penalties.
- Pags

Hardly... There were plenty of rats and cheapshot artists in the league before then.

And if there wasn't an instigator wouldn't more guys do that crap that Thornton did tonight? With no additional penalty for starting to fight an unwilling player, more guys would be getting jumped.

Cory ‏@ThreeRiversBlog 26m
I will say again I think that you should lose the roster spot of any player suspended. Penalize the player and the team. That’s significant


This is a good idea.
- Sell My Monkey

I've agreed with this since the first time I've heard it as well.

They need a warning before the broadcast about the extreme level of homerism that you are going to be subjected to. So funny there was no mention of Marchand punching maata in the face again after that hit. No mention of it at all.
- mw630

They were too busy blaming Orpik.

Cory ‏@ThreeRiversBlog 26m
I will say again I think that you should lose the roster spot of any player suspended. Penalize the player and the team. That’s significant


This is a good idea.
- Sell My Monkey

actually is a very solid idea.

That was a dirty play by Thorton, but honestly this is hilarious.

Rinaldo is a dirty player, Kaleta is a dirty player, and so is Neal. Teams employ these guys but to defend them is along the lines of homerism.
- flyer_nutter

Da fuq? Neal is no choirboy, but comparing a 40 goal scorer to Kaleta, Rinaldo and Thornton is quite laughable. If those guys disappear for a suspension nobody would blink. If the Pens lose Neal... they become a one line team.

A huuge difference.

In fairness to Jack Edwards (who I can't stand), it was the color guy Andy Brickley (who played for the Pens at one time) who made those comments about Orpik being responsible for getting knocked out because he didn't fight Thornton after a clean hit.
- rival22

True, but he was thinking it.