I dont think the shoulder got the chin, I thought the impact shook Erikssons head, I could be wrong. So if the hit is fine, then Thornton already tried to fight Orpik and he walked away. So Thornton needs to either stay physical on Orpik for the game or keep asking him to fight. Everyone in the building knew Orpik wasnt going to fight, thus Thornton pulled him down and got his 'fight' in.

Just seemed weird that Thornton would hit a guy already lying on the ice, it doesn't really fit the 'code' he was protecting, looks like a brain snap that really injured a player and may cost him a few games.
- walshy66

I'm surprised no one went after Neal

Add in more idiocy to the NHLs dumb rules

Seth Rorabaugh ‏@emptynetters 2m
For those asking, Neal's last supplemental discipline was 20 months ago. NHL's window to be considered a "repeat offender" is 18 months.
- Deadstar

This!!
Now, NHL puts a window to be an a@#hole, and then you can get out of the status after 18 months!!
Pathetic!!

I'll disagree and say I think what Neal did was every bit as bad as what Thornton did, but what wasn't as bad was the result. But Neal didn't know that prior to laying that hit.

As for the Broad Street Bullies, you're going back 30 to 40 years. Hockey and the world was quite a bit different then, so I'm not really sure how it's relevant.

You'll just have to believe me when I say I like and respect Brooks Orpik and I really didn't like see him down on the ice like that.
- wolfhounds

Like I said. I understand your point. You've made it clear in every other post what you believe. I think you're wrong. As does virtually every other person here.....even fans from other teams. What else do you have to add?

Wow - completely clueless. Apparently you are the only one that thinks Orpik's hit on Eriksson was dirty. Not even the homer bruins announcers thought it was bad. He needs to skate with his head up and not have his D hang him out to dry. Nice try though.
- mw630

So why did Thornton do what he did??????????

please elaborate

The other night when the Ducks and Kings were playing. Corey Perry did it to I think it was Justin Williams. A Duck makes Williams fall into Hiller. Then Perry falls on said King player. Then hits him in the head a few times. League doesnt even look at it. This is something that actually happens all the time. And it really bugs the crap out of me.
- poisondhearts37

Hartnell did it the other day against Detroit, punched some kid in the back of the head after they fell to the ice after a little scrum coming out of the zone. Hartnell got the 2 minutes he deserved, and the other player was fine, as is usually the case.

The other night when the Ducks and Kings were playing. Corey Perry did it to I think it was Justin Williams. A Duck makes Williams fall into Hiller. Then Perry falls on said King player. Then hits him in the head a few times. League doesnt even look at it. This is something that actually happens all the time. And it really bugs the crap out of me.
- poisondhearts37

The NHL has some big decisions to make at the end of the season in how the view head shots. The class actions against the NFL and now the NHL mean the game really needs to change or the NHL is going to be up for a truckload of money

this was honestly one of the dumbest things I have ever read.
- SuperHenderson13

come on you really cant read, can you?

I'm surprised no one went after Neal
- puckhead17

I think the would have, had Orpik not been injured as he was, the bench saw the Neal incident

I'm surprised no one went after Neal
- puckhead17

I'm sure they left that up to you next time he's in Philly.

Might as well keep the delusion going.

You ask him in a bar off the record and he will tell you he meant it, anyone who has played competitive sports can see he meant it.

Thats not a slight on anyone, I have watched it and had it happen to me too. You can see when someone 'accidentally' on purpose hits someone.

its a part of the game that the NHL needs to get out of it, Neal knew what he was doing.
- walshy66

Hey bud you're communicating with a rec league champion! Neal was not looking at rat when he hit him. That being said he prolly did know what was going on. Gunnar called it, same as steckel hit, and the owl from tootsie roll commercial agrees, the world maY never know

I don't think any of us really know, but its just ironic, he threatened to quit more then once during is playing days, now he has a few guys that pull the same stunts & one he let go that was the biggest culprit, because he came out & said he was through playing that way
- puckhead17

Head over to the Flyers blog. You are offering nothing of substance here. Both hits were dirty. Orpik's hit was O.K. He would be having a hearing otherwise. Neals hit was dirty. Thorntons actions were equally as dirty. There is no place in hockey for it. What team mate was Thornton protecting, by slew footing a guy from behind and punching him while he is defenseless on the ice? Your bias is showing through loud and clear. BTW, Mario Lemieux had nothing to do with what transpired in this game. Nice try at a straw man argument.

Ryan, while I enjoyed reading your stuff, you envited more Pen bashing on our own blog.

Another reason not to come here.

Good day.

Like I said. I understand your point. You've made it clear in every other post what you believe. I think you're wrong. As does virtually every other person here.....even fans from other teams. What else do you have to add?
- madmike71

"Wrong" about what? The author of this blog thinks both players should get long suspensions.

What Thornton did was stupid, showed no class, and inexcusable. I'm glad to hear that Orpik will be ok.

come on you really cant read, can you?
- puckhead17

no I just cant believe you made it seem that thornton's actions were more justifiable because he was "sticking up for a teammate"

absolutely laughable.

The boston commentators said that if there was a penalty on Orpik's hit, then there would be none of the incidents that occurred in the first period. I find that hard to believe.

In today's NHL if you make a good clean hit, within the rules which leaves the opposing player injured in any way then the other team has "cart-blanche" to attack you by any means necessary. It's sad but the truth

Hartnell did it the other day against Detroit, punched some kid in the back of the head after they fell to the ice after a little scrum coming out of the zone. Hartnell got the 2 minutes he deserved, and the other player was fine, as is usually the case.
- wolfhounds

But, just because said player ends up being fine doesnt make it ok. If we make this ok and the usual no call or the once in a blue moon 2min minor is called. It keeps happening. Then someone ends up getting hurt. Anytime there is a scurm and players fall down and someone is on them and hits them. It just makes me want to stop watching because I get so upset nothing is being called.

So why did Thornton do what he did??????????

please elaborate
- puckhead17

Because he has a lack of control on his anger and stupidity. It was multiple hits to a players head as they were going down to the ice in a non fighting situation. It was stupid, uncalled for and intent to injure. Throw the book at him.

Orpik had a clean hit between the whistles on a player with his head down. Stop you are looking stupid

Ryan, while I enjoyed reading your stuff, you envited more Pen bashing on our own blog.

Another reason not to come here.

Good day.
- Doogs

I'm sorry you feel that way.

However, my personal goal here is to be objective.

Whether or not the player wears a Penguins jersey, a Flyers jersey, a Ducks jersey etc... shouldn't alter the truth of what happens on the ice.

"Wrong" about what? The author of this blog thinks both players should get long suspensions.
- wolfhounds

Um... I don't recall reading "criminal assault" in his description to what Neal did.

What Thornton did was stupid, showed no class, and inexcusable. I'm glad to hear that Orpik will be ok.
- Rayven

Agreed.

The NHL has some big decisions to make at the end of the season in how the view head shots. The class actions against the NFL and now the NHL mean the game really needs to change or the NHL is going to be up for a truckload of money
- walshy66

I think its classless for older players to try and sue over stuff that nobody knew about at the time. We still dont know crap about concussions. But yes. The league has decisions to make about head shots. I think alot of the little things need to be looked at. Maybe not so much all the big obvious things. But you are never going to stop concussions. Doctors even said so. No matter what you do with players gear and helmets and what not. Concussions are going to happen. Just players and team staff need to be more aware and get players off the ice.

Neals hit was dirty and he should be suspended. For those trying to justify what Thornton did. This was not an after the whistle scrum. Orpik was engaged in a discussion with an official. Thornton skates up behind him, slew foots him to the ice, then pummels him while he was defenseless. It was cowardly and disgusting.

I'm sorry you feel that way.

However, my personal goal here is to be objective.

Whether or not the player wears a Penguins jersey, a Flyers jersey, a Ducks jersey etc... shouldn't alter the truth of what happens on the ice.
- Ryan_Wilson

I felt you did well with the blog. I guess as do more Pens fans. Im not a fan of neither team personally.

If anything I dislike the Pens more than the Bruins.

you know what stops the whole thornton situation before it happens? if orpik cant hide behind a bs rule and has to man up in a situation where he can at least defend himself... good job 90s rule changes