Did Barkov get an article like this when he got knocked out for the rest of the season? No? Still playing favorites? Moving on..

Hard to believe people have a rough time when a player throws a heavy, but legal as hell check. If this happened to Handzus, nothing would have been said. Go figure, same female doging crowd - Boston, Philly, Chicago fans ... go figure. Very typical.
- Oneonta Penguin

Just cause the more vocal fans are calling for a penalty suspension doesn't mean everyone feels that way. Way to generalize. This has been over analyzed and talked about so not getting into the BS. Appears he will be back for playoffs and hopefully he is ready to go.

By the way add Pittsburgh to your list cause they have plenty of fans that are just as bad. Lived there for 5 years so well aware.

Did Barkov get an article like this when he got knocked out for the rest of the season? No? Still playing favorites? Moving on..
- Panthers88

Was he knocked out by a questionable repeat offender?

Just cause the more vocal fans are calling for a penalty suspension doesn't mean everyone feels that way. Way to generalize. This has been over analyzed and talked about so not getting into the BS. Appears he will be back for playoffs and hopefully he is ready to go.

By the way add Pittsburgh to your list cause they have plenty of fans that are just as bad. Lived there for 5 years so well aware.
- Vark37

I live here now and Pittsburgh people are really pretty cool. But like all fans they will see things through black and gold colored glasses. I have no issue with any group of fans (esp, Pittsburgh)....but I do not like Brooks Orpik at all

It's bullpoop that a player that delivers a heavy, but legal check has to fight. Fact is, idiots can't see that Orpik let up at the end. If he didn't, Toews would have had to be scraped off the ice and carried to the lockerroom on a stretcher.

I don't remember Chicago player trying to engage Orpik in a fight. They came out and outplayed Pittsburgh for a great portion instead. Only the thugs from Boston and Philly would do that. That, is chicken poop.
- Oneonta Penguin

Sorry, having a real tough time swallowing that pill. For some reason the 12" vertical that Orpik boasts after powering through Toews' shoulder does not seem to suggest "letting up".

you're missing my point, you wanna hit like that (clean or dirty or whatever) then (frank)ing you better be ready to fight

he could have erased towes without trying to light him up, but that's not how he plays, until someone on the other teams wants to hold him accountable then he cowers behind "i don't like fighting" bullsh*t, sorry numb-nuts, you can't have it both ways
- Flyfreaky

why not... hittings part of the game... your player gets hit it doesn't give you the right to throw a temper tantrum like a child and go after that player. fighting has no place in the game. illegal hits should be severely penalized by the league and fights should result in automatic suspensions of increasing lengths. secondly, I dont want the league to be pass and shoot only... big hits should be part of the game... fighting should not be. Absolutely you can have it both ways

Did Barkov get an article like this when he got knocked out for the rest of the season? No? Still playing favorites? Moving on..
- Panthers88

Surely you're used to Florida not getting media attention

My favorite part of hockey is the scrums in front of the net after a scoring chance. "You just got a shot on my goalie so I'm going to call you a poopy head and push you, grr."

It's like grow the hell up and play the game. I get the pushing and shoving for position, but the crap that happens well after the whistle is just stupid. They got to take the crybaby stuff out of the game. It's really annoying.
- FlyersSteve118

Hard to believe people have a rough time when a player throws a heavy, but legal as hell check. If this happened to Handzus, nothing would have been said. Go figure, same female doging crowd - Boston, Philly, Chicago fans ... go figure. Very typical.
- Oneonta Penguin

pens fans are far from immune to this

The NHL players are at the pinnacle of their career. They make a huge amount if money. They were among the better players most likely at each level they played throughout their hockey playing days. What is their mindset when any teammate is checked viscously like Orpik did?

Apparently when you are gifted in your skills and you desire to continue making big dollars, all too many players feel entitled to special status. Let some other teammate answer the call for that hard check!

That should never be allowed as the mindset. What the heck is wrong with you. When the opportunity presents itself, check Orpik or their best player equally as viscous but clean. Yeah, payback is a b*tch but if you do not reciprocate you loose not only self respect, but now your opponent knows they can take advantage of you in game action. Which is intolerable.

Looking from the outside from a fan's perspective, how many of us play(ed) this game and would be really pissed if your teammates turtled? Just one check at an apprioiate time would suffice. Better yet is if you were on the team and you run Orpik or Crosby.

Try Murray, former captain and presently the Chg radio color commentator, was livid....the remainder of the game and in his lengthy post game comments.....he identified himself as "old school" and therefore a response was mandatory. Immediately.

Chg is just a soft team that played tough enough when absolutely necessary in the playoffs. I wouldn't be too popular with some teammates but I would mock and insult my teammates and coach if they did not agree a response was necessary. This is a shut door case. You are a man or P*ssy. Can't or won't respond. Go play recreation hockey with the ladies. You are a dusgrace .
- jhawk59

I'm glad he identified himself as old school... which hopefully means that attitude is dying out. I would be more angry at a teammate for being suckered into a stupid penalty or a fight that took him out of the game decreasing our chances at winning. Had Chicago came after Orpik, or even Crosby in a clean, hard hitting fashion it would have been a-ok. But fighting or illegal checks / dirty play is such a stupid response. A MAN puts the team above himself and does whats best for the team... a wussy indulges in revenge and does something to hurt the team

Sorry, having a real tough time swallowing that pill. For some reason the 12" vertical that Orpik boasts after powering through Toews' shoulder does not seem to suggest "letting up".
- PuckAndSticks

The critical issue in all of this is Toews putting his head down in the corner.

Sucks to see him go down though, I'm sure he'll be fine for the playoffs.

why not... hittings part of the game... your player gets hit it doesn't give you the right to throw a temper tantrum like a child and go after that player. fighting has no place in the game. illegal hits should be severely penalized by the league and fights should result in automatic suspensions of increasing lengths. secondly, I dont want the league to be pass and shoot only... big hits should be part of the game... fighting should not be. Absolutely you can have it both ways
- ChrisMS

i don't care if they get rid of fighting, but as long as it's a part of the game if you wanna play like orpik than you better back it up with your fists

i don't care if they get rid of fighting, but as long as it's a part of the game if you wanna play like orpik than you better back it up with your fists
- Flyfreaky

It's not a "part of the game." Its a penalty for a reason.

It's not a "part of the game." Its a penalty for a reason.
- ChrisMS

stop it

I'm glad he identified himself as old school... which hopefully means that attitude is dying out. I would be more angry at a teammate for being suckered into a stupid penalty or a fight that took him out of the game decreasing our chances at winning. Had Chicago came after Orpik, or even Crosby in a clean, hard hitting fashion it would have been a-ok. But fighting or illegal checks / dirty play is such a stupid response. A MAN puts the team above himself and does whats best for the team... a wussy indulges in revenge and does something to hurt the team
- ChrisMS

Fighting is not putting yourself above the team, fighting is the ultimate FTB move.

stop it
- Flyfreaky

ok

ok
- ChrisMS

ty

Fighting is not putting yourself above the team, fighting is the ultimate FTB move.
- FinAddict

no... no it's not. The only player that one can try to apply that to is a borderline scrub who's only job is to fight. Which means their doing it to try to maintain their career, not "for the Team." anyone else hurts their team by taking themselves of the bench for at minimal 5 minutes (longer depending on the penalties or injuries). any way one looks at fighting it is one of the most selfish, childish things a hockey player can do

Did Barkov get an article like this when he got knocked out for the rest of the season? No? Still playing favorites? Moving on..
- Panthers88

What about if it was Kulikov?

no... no it's not. The only player that one can try to apply that to is a borderline scrub who's only job is to fight. Which means their doing it to try to maintain their career, not "for the Team." anyone else hurts their team by taking themselves of the bench for at minimal 5 minutes (longer depending on the penalties or injuries). any way one looks at fighting it is one of the most selfish, childish things a hockey player can do
- ChrisMS

it doesn't matter what you think, as long as the league allows it then just like playing a game of chess it's a strategic part of the game

it doesn't matter what you think, as long as the league allows it then just like playing a game of chess it's a strategic part of the game
- Flyfreaky

I understand where you are coming from... one of the things I can't stand about Basketball is that fouling is part of the game an strategyI hate that... feels like cheating is part of the game... thats what fighting feels like. And it does matter what I think just as it matters what you think... we are the fans of this game... the game is OURS! and if over time the fans get tired of watching a certain part of the game and make it known... it will change. It takes time, but the game has evolved over the years and will continue to do so. I'm positive the idea of fighting in hockey will be as silly as the players not wearing helmets.

I understand where you are coming from... one of the things I can't stand about Basketball is that fouling is part of the game an strategyI hate that... feels like cheating is part of the game... thats what fighting feels like. And it does matter what I think just as it matters what you think... we are the fans of this game... the game is OURS! and if over time the fans get tired of watching a certain part of the game and make it known... it will change. It takes time, but the game has evolved over the years and will continue to do so. I'm positive the idea of fighting in hockey will be as silly as the players not wearing helmets.
- ChrisMS

good luck with that

The critical issue in all of this is Toews putting his head down in the corner.

Sucks to see him go down though, I'm sure he'll be fine for the playoffs.
- Mattjd123

He put his head down because the puck was in his skates. And then kicked it away before Orpik hit him. Did he ever really possess the puck?

What is PUCK POSSESSION? Having it in your skates? Bounce off your ass? I thought possession the puck was controlling it. I don't think Toews ever controlled it. This is not new for Orpik...see his hits on Skinner, Erickson. Neither player ever had control of the puck. In one case the player was near it, in the other case he was reaching for it...and blam Orpik nails the guys. If you are skating around CONTROLLING the puck then taking a hit should be expected, but Orpik is nailing these guys who simply do NOT have control of the puck. Sure, they are close to possessing it, but aren't. Lou Erickson NEVER had the puck on that hit...Orpik's hit on Erik Cole was disgraceful and is further evidence that Orpik is not out there trying to change who possesses the puck, but rather he's just out there to hit people for poopz and giggles.

A good hard check is a great way to build momentum and in it's purest state to eliminate the opposing team from having control of the puck and ideally turning that control over to your team. The list of Orpik hits that do not meet that criteria is long and growing.

As far as him not fighting...if you're going to play borderline dirty hockey and put players into the hospital then be man enough to answer the bell. Even low-lifes like Raffi Torres actually honor that code, but Orpik and James Neal do not. Thus, it stands to reason MANY hockey fans with no dog in this fight will dislike them for the careless and classless way they play hockey.

good luck with that
- Flyfreaky

I give it 10 years... 15 max

Did Barkov get an article like this when he got knocked out for the rest of the season? No? Still playing favorites? Moving on..
- Panthers88

You do realize that the Panthers are the Blackhawks quadruple-A team, right?