Why did Mario get so much love from us?

I was about 6 so I actually want to know
- Giroux_Is_God

I'm Bill's age, so I qualify as an old guy.

The Flyers teams used to beat the living hell out of Lemieux. And he kept coming.

And then, he came back from lymphoma. The Flyers organization has a history of giving a damn about cancer... (Barry Ashbee died from Leukemia).

For me, as a fan, after years of watching guys kick his ass and him still scoring goals on us and for him to come back like that....How do you not salute him?

the illness had a lot to do with it. mario also didnt really have a lot of perceived diva drama. i was young as well, but from what i remember and remember being told, i think it was more of just respect for a great adversary and an all time great, going through and coming out on top of a foe that went above hockey.
- stayinthefnnet

Indeed. Certainly could have guessed.

Wish I could remember more than the twilight of his career. He was one of the best players to play any sport ever.

Indeed. Certainly could have guessed.

Wish I could remember more than the twilight of his career. He was one of the best players to play any sport ever.
- Giroux_Is_God

the numbers his various injuries/illnesses cost him are staggering.

Indeed. Certainly could have guessed.

Wish I could remember more than the twilight of his career. He was one of the best players to play any sport ever.
- Giroux_Is_God

That '97 series against them.....when Mario scored that goal against Hexy, EVERYONE knew that was it.

the numbers his various injuries/illnesses cost him are staggering.
- stayinthefnnet

His size worked against him. He was a target.

What was Gretzky? 5 foot 9? Tops?

the illness had a lot to do with it. mario also didnt really have a lot of perceived diva drama. i was young as well, but from what i remember and remember being told, i think it was more of just respect for a great adversary and an all time great, going through and coming out on top of a foe that went above hockey.
- stayinthefnnet

Mario played in a time when clutching and grabbing was rampant in the league; he took a beating and was still one of the greatest. That's what sets him and Gretzky apart.

The illness was rough, and the respect everyone around the league had for him showed. When he came back and got that ovation in Philly, my eyes welled up. Moments like those are never talked about in regards to the fans in Philly.

Mario played in a time when clutching and grabbing was rampant in the league; he took a beating and was still one of the greatest. That's what sets him and Gretzky apart.

The illness was rough, and the respect everyone around the league had for him showed. When he came back and got that ovation in Philly, my eyes welled up. Moments like those are never talked about in regards to the fans in Philly.
- tangent_man

^^^^This guy gets it.

Oh, and that goal wasn't on Hexy. It was on Garth Snow.

I'm Bill's age, so I qualify as an old guy.
- johndewar

Ah, you're still a pup.

Ah, you're still a pup.
- tangent_man

yeah, i get the feeling myself and G.I.G. make up the younger quotient around here haha

the numbers his various injuries/illnesses cost him are staggering.
- stayinthefnnet

I know. I still think he was a better player than Gretzky was, all things considered.

At that, I'm gonna get some sleep. And by get some sleep, I mean study Molecular Bio until 3 am.

Great discussion tonight gentlemen.

Til tomorrow, this is GiG signing off

the numbers his various injuries/illnesses cost him are staggering.
- stayinthefnnet

His back woes alone...and the fact that he played through them, a la Larry Bird, is amazing.

yeah, i get the feeling myself and G.I.G. make up the younger quotient around here haha
- stayinthefnnet

And you're proof that there's hope for your generation (apart from you being a Pens fan, anyway).

And you're proof that there's hope for your generation (apart from you being a Pens fan, anyway).
- tangent_man

haha well we all have our flaws.

sadly, i doubt a few good eggs are gonna be able to save this sinking ship.

didn't get to see the game tonight...just the hi-lites. seems like we just keep rolling. simmonds with 2 big goals. they beat thomas, who, from what i could see, changed hats in between the first and second periods. the guy is a (frank)ing nut job.

anything of note otherwise?

yeah, i get the feeling myself and G.I.G. make up the younger quotient around here haha
- stayinthefnnet

Depends on your definition of young.

yeah, i get the feeling myself and G.I.G. make up the younger quotient around here haha
- stayinthefnnet

I think im a bit younger than you, but im in the same boat. A lot of the old references some guys make I have to look up. Keeps me learning though

didn't get to see the game tonight...just the hi-lites. seems like we just keep rolling. simmonds with 2 big goals. they beat thomas, who, from what i could see, changed hats in between the first and second periods. the guy is a (frank)ing nut job.

anything of note otherwise?
- hammarby31

he took a giroux missile directly to the white mask

didn't get to see the game tonight...just the hi-lites. seems like we just keep rolling. simmonds with 2 big goals. they beat thomas, who, from what i could see, changed hats in between the first and second periods. the guy is a (frank)ing nut job.

anything of note otherwise?
- hammarby31

The Stars never stopped coming at the boys. Mason was huge.

didn't get to see the game tonight...just the hi-lites. seems like we just keep rolling. simmonds with 2 big goals. they beat thomas, who, from what i could see, changed hats in between the first and second periods. the guy is a (frank)ing nut job.

anything of note otherwise?
- hammarby31

thomas took a giroux shot with a lot on it right into the white mask, i assume that's why he changed up

refs were... questionable... apparently they were loudly welcomed back onto the ice for the third by the home crowd

The Stars never stopped coming at the boys. Mason was huge.
- tangent_man

almost seemed like they were the ones playing with a one goal lead, that was some tight checking

thomas took a giroux shot with a lot on it right into the white mask, i assume that's why he changed up

refs were... questionable... apparently they were loudly welcomed back onto the ice for the third by the home crowd
- -davies-

That's so...PC.

I'd love to know what Chief said to them.

That's so...PC.

I'd love to know what Chief said to them.
- tangent_man

gutless pukes ?

he took a giroux missile directly to the white mask
- Crimsoninja

never beat me again

That's so...PC.

I'd love to know what Chief said to them.
- tangent_man

typical montreal?

almost seemed like they were the ones playing with a one goal lead, that was some tight checking
- -davies-

It did seem that way. I didn't see the presser, but apparently Berube said he liked the win, but not the effort (or something to that effect). I'm just glad they fought through it.