You do realize that Orpik fought in the very next game those two teams played right? I guess that wouldn't suit your argument too well that he doesn't answer the bell. No reason to fight when the hit is legal.

So Orpik's hits list is long and growing? I guess that would mean his suspensions are too right? Oh, no they aren't because they are within the rules. If you want to cry some more about anyone touching your player go watch another sport.
- acdc1206

OK. Nobody on this or any other hockey blog should ever say "go watch another sport." It's a blessing that our sport has the quality of fans it takes to wear our emotions on our sleeves and debate about it on this and other blogs. I sure hope that passion never takes its stick and finds another sport... it's right where it belongs!

I think it bears mentioning that the Hawks fans who are the most vocal in their criticism of Orpik never seem to want to recognize that one of the basic tenets of hockey 101 is don't skate with your head down and keep your head on a swivel. Toews bears a huge slice of responsibility for putting himself in a position to get crushed. If this was some kid fresh up from the AHL, the hit would have been dismissed as a "welcome to the big leagues" moment. But because its Toews, Orpik is supposed to let up and not deliver a hard, clean hit?!? Sorry guys, it just doesn't work that way. Total double standard. And since no one on the Hawks sought to retaliate, all the rest of this discussion is moot. It also speaks volumes about how they felt about the hit, no matter what any Neanderthal NHL commentators may have to say.

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

The players don't look at it that way, and they're the ones that actually play

OK. Nobody on this or any other hockey blog should ever say "go watch another sport." It's a blessing that our sport has the quality of fans it takes to wear our emotions on our sleeves and debate about it on this and other blogs. I sure hope that passion never takes its stick and finds another sport... it's right where it belongs!
- ChrisMS

Whatever This isn't even worth arguing about.The league calls it legal so be it.Just because you can pretty much legally injure someone doesn't make it right.

I personally liked how he brought that up after he was invisible in the next series. Excellent excuse.
- acdc1206

excellent indeed

Think the easy point is that guys running around trying to injury people on a consistent basis and then not having to answer for it in any way, it's complete B.S. In my book.
Orpik and Neal as well as many others do it all the time and IMO it is far more harmful to hockey than fighting. Have you watched basketball it's a joke. And I love hockey I don't want the emotion to be removed from it in any way.

The players don't look at it that way, and they're the ones that actually play
- FinAddict

And the ones who employ the players? or pay to watch? Are they happy when the team gets scored on when one of their defensemen are in the box? or placed on IR? More and more players are coming out against "the code" and fighting in the league. this trend will continue over the years thank goodness

I think it bears mentioning that the Hawks fans who are the most vocal in their criticism of Orpik never seem to want to recognize that one of the basic tenets of hockey 101 is don't skate with your head down and keep your head on a swivel. Toews bears a huge slice of responsibility for putting himself in a position to get crushed. If this was some kid fresh up from the AHL, the hit would have been dismissed as a "welcome to the big leagues" moment. But because its Toews, Orpik is supposed to let up and not deliver a hard, clean hit?!? Sorry guys, it just doesn't work that way. Total double standard. And since no one on the Hawks sought to retaliate, all the rest of this discussion is moot. It also speaks volumes about how they felt about the hit, no matter what any Neanderthal NHL commentators may have to say.
- Emperor Filonius

If it was Crosby then the world would be at its end. And why is it that the Pitt "legal" hits have been talked about so often over the last X amount of years?

Why does Orpik or anyone else have to fight? Are you not allowed to hit in the NHL without fighting? Do you have to sign something that says if you hit someone, you have to fight them or someone else on their team if they challenge you? Maybe NHL players need to wear stop signs on their jersey so nobody touches them.

Dumb.

Why does Orpik or anyone else have to fight? Are you not allowed to hit in the NHL without fighting? Do you have to sign something that says if you hit someone, you have to fight them or someone else on their team if they challenge you? Maybe NHL players need to wear stop signs on their jersey so nobody touches them.

Dumb.
- carcus

other than orpik are there other players who have said they won't fight?

Why does Orpik or anyone else have to fight? Are you not allowed to hit in the NHL without fighting? Do you have to sign something that says if you hit someone, you have to fight them or someone else on their team if they challenge you? Maybe NHL players need to wear stop signs on their jersey so nobody touches them.

Dumb.
- carcus

Then maybe it's the old school hockey in me. Watching Neely and Claude Lemuix. Bourque, heck even forsberg, sakic, roenick, and not to mention the howes and orrs before them. There was always an unwritten rule in hockey. You were to answer for your actions. Wayne Gretzky had a guy on his line that his main job was to make sure nobody got out of line.

But it seems that a lot of fans want the European style of hockey, BORING. Go to an AHL game in your area. The kids even like the fighting, it part of hockey and if you start watering it down too much it turns into basketball with half the points scored being free throws based on what your name is. Which is why I can't watch basketball anymore. The days of Bird, Jordan, Magic, etc. it's watered down.

Who did he fight so that I can look it up,not doubting just want to see.
- eagle50

I was curious..so I looked it up. Not sure it was the very next time PGH played CAR, but Cole vs Orpik happened in Feb 2008, 2 years after the checking from behind incident (hockeyfights.com). Nothing too exciting to watch...Cole's jersey ends up over his head and it goes nowhere after that.

http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/40986

Then maybe it's the old school hockey in me. Watching Neely and Claude Lemuix. Bourque, heck even forsberg, sakic, roenick, and not to mention the howes and orrs before them. There was always an unwritten rule in hockey. You were to answer for your actions. Wayne Gretzky had a guy on his line that his main job was to make sure nobody got out of line.

But it seems that a lot of fans want the European style of hockey, BORING. Go to an AHL game in your area. The kids even like the fighting, it part of hockey and if you start watering it down too much it turns into basketball with half the points scored being free throws based on what your name is. Which is why I can't watch basketball anymore. The days of Bird, Jordan, Magic, etc. it's watered down.
- JIwasinskiJr

You have to answer for every check? Really?

You have to answer for every check? Really?
- carcus

For Orpik to have answered for his check, he would have had to start the fight. The Hawks didn't want to fight him. I wonder why...?

You have to answer for every check? Really?
- carcus

Dude, what are you talking about? I guess I simply disagree with your point, whatever it is.

But seeing Savard have his career ended and Bergy almost have his ended and Erickson out twice, Crosby whom I think is a little puck out for awhile, now Toews, before them Lindros etc.

It is impossible to police from the office everything on the ice, IMPOSSIBLE, it is unfortunate that players run around trying to injury player game after game after game.
And guys what, when orpik does it again this year and runs away like a little girl, I'm going to be pissed AGAIN.

Dude, what are you talking about? I guess I simply disagree with your point, whatever it is.

But seeing Savard have his career ended and Bergy almost have his ended and Erickson out twice, Crosby whom I think is a little puck out for awhile, now Toews, before them Lindros etc.

It is impossible to police from the office everything on the ice, IMPOSSIBLE, it is unfortunate that players run around trying to injury player game after game after game.
And guys what, when orpik does it again this year and runs away like a little girl, I'm going to be pissed AGAIN.
- JIwasinskiJr

The Savard hit cannot be compared to this recent hit on Toews though. That was the dirtiest little piece of (poop) in the game very obviously head hunting. (frank) I hate that little (poop).

The Savard hit cannot be compared to this recent hit on Toews though. That was the dirtiest little piece of (poop) in the game very obviously head hunting. (frank) I hate that little (poop).
- SolidGoldBricks

he's gonna get his ass handed to him again (think Thornton) because he refuses to fight

For all you bruins fans who don't have a problem with the hit remember it when someone retaliated by going after Crosby and injures him.i am not an advocate of going after a star player and would rather have someone dump the puck into orpiks corner and take a run at him making sure you finish the check high in an upward launching motion
I also blame the coach since orpik has a history of trying to and in some cases injuring players with his style of play. Orpik is a cancer for team chemistry with his play so keep defending him

he's gonna get his ass handed to him again (think Thornton) because he refuses to fight
- Flyfreaky

I think I'm on your side on this one. Fighting is still a part of the game because it allows players to police themselves against rats who try to take players out of the game with dirty hits.

Guys like Orpik who make some pre-game decision that they aren't fighters so they can't be retaliated against are (poop). You can't use that tactic at a bar if you do something to anger some big guy.

But as far as I'm concerned, the hit was legal, and the Hawks didn't try to fight him. So what can you do?

he's gonna get his ass handed to him again (think Thornton) because he refuses to fight
- Flyfreaky

Who challenged him after the Toews hit? Who did he refuse to fight?

I think people are complaining about nothing because they love to complain about something.

If it was Crosby then the world would be at its end. And why is it that the Pitt "legal" hits have been talked about so often over the last X amount of years?
- JIwasinskiJr

Because most everyone hates the Penguins. And you seem to forget that Crosby was hit and injured on two far more dubious hits...and since we are still here talking about it, I guess the world did not in fact end.

But as far as I'm concerned, the hit was legal, and the Hawks didn't try to fight him. So what can you do?
- SolidGoldBricks

Whine about him not fighting an imaginary fight that he was challenged to?

other than orpik are there other players who have said they won't fight?
- Flyfreaky

There are plenty of guys in the league who don't fight.

Who challenged him after the Toews hit? Who did he refuse to fight?

I think people are complaining about nothing because they love to complain about something.


- carcus

I heard Milbury tried to run down to the ice and hit him with his shoe.

Whine about him not fighting an imaginary fight that he was challenged to?



- carcus