This
- Rayven

And, not trying to start a poopstorm, but what if the offenders were given the same sentence as say, a Matt Cooke. It would have gone a LONG way to making things right. He may still get in scrums and such, but he is a changed player right now.

“Hockey is a tough, physical game, and it always should be. But what happened Friday night on Long Island wasn’t hockey. It was a travesty. It was painful to watch the game I love turn into a sideshow like that.

“The NHL had a chance to send a clear and strong message that those kinds of actions are unacceptable and embarrassing to the sport. It failed.

“We, as a league, must do a better job of protecting the integrity of the game and the safety of our players. We must make it clear that those kinds of actions will not be tolerated and will be met with meaningful disciplinary action.

“If the events relating to Friday night reflect the state of the league, I need to re-think whether I want to be a part of it.”

- Mario Lemieux in the 2010-11 season

“Hockey is a tough, physical game, and it always should be. But what happened Friday night on Long Island wasn’t hockey. It was a travesty. It was painful to watch the game I love turn into a sideshow like that.

“The NHL had a chance to send a clear and strong message that those kinds of actions are unacceptable and embarrassing to the sport. It failed.

“We, as a league, must do a better job of protecting the integrity of the game and the safety of our players. We must make it clear that those kinds of actions will not be tolerated and will be met with meaningful disciplinary action.

“If the events relating to Friday night reflect the state of the league, I need to re-think whether I want to be a part of it.”

- Mario Lemieux in the 2010-11 season


- RooNosHockey

a sad day for penguins fans ..

give the C to jordan already...sid is a disgrace to the game.

And, not trying to start a poopstorm, but what if the offenders were given the same sentence as say, a Matt Cooke. It would have gone a LONG way to making things right. He may still get in scrums and such, but he is a changed player right now.
- ryman1566

He is a changed player for sure but I think it takes away valuable parts of his game. Someone in another forum was talking about how he has almost completely moved away from his instigating aggravating play and that has hurt him. He has a better stat line and is staying out of the box but he is also playing without that edge that can be valuable. Don't get me wrong, I hate the guy but I can admire his turn around but I think he took away too much of the edge.

“Hockey is a tough, physical game, and it always should be. But what happened Friday night on Long Island wasn’t hockey. It was a travesty. It was painful to watch the game I love turn into a sideshow like that.

“The NHL had a chance to send a clear and strong message that those kinds of actions are unacceptable and embarrassing to the sport. It failed.

“We, as a league, must do a better job of protecting the integrity of the game and the safety of our players. We must make it clear that those kinds of actions will not be tolerated and will be met with meaningful disciplinary action.

“If the events relating to Friday night reflect the state of the league, I need to re-think whether I want to be a part of it.”

- Mario Lemieux in the 2010-11 season


- RooNosHockey

Yeah, I hope he addresses this too, I hope he is pissed. He was not on the ice yesterday, he didn't cross check 1 person, or startt 1 fight. By all accounts I've seen, he stayed outside of the locker room, pretty ticked off. Not really fair to criticize Mario here. But if it lends support to the whole 'whiny, dirty, orginization' evidence, then more power to ya. But I gotta feel alot of people inside the Pens are just as pissed and embarrassed as well.

I think the league as a whole is reaping what they have sown as far as discipline is concerned, if they would have brought the hammer down with punishments from the get go, perhaps they wouldn't be so busy right now. Just a complete lack of respect. And yes, I'm including players from the Pens as well
- ryman1566

You're right, and I'm not even going to get into yesterday. The NHL has no teeth when it comes to disciplinary ultimatums/threats. For all the talk about taking a stand against predatory headshots and the like, they never showed the will to back it up. Instead, they take their 'responsibility' to protect their stars to mean that only role players and other low profile names will see recourse when crossing the line. They set this tone again on day one of the playoffs with the Weber incident.

He is a changed player for sure but I think it takes away valuable parts of his game. Someone in another forum was talking about how he has almost completely moved away from his instigating aggravating play and that has hurt him. He has a better stat line and is staying out of the box but he is also playing without that edge that can be valuable. Don't get me wrong, I hate the guy but I can admire his turn around but I think he took away too much of the edge.
- vipeviper

There was a part of this season where he was invisble. The coaches have all said he struggled to adjust his style. But he played great outside of that. Career high in goals and points. Solid PK guy. (Yes, we had a good PK unit at one point ) and he got to play in all the games!! C'mon, I'm sure it took Hannibal Lecter a while to adust to the face mask and cage.

a sad day for penguins fans ..

give the C to jordan already...sid is a disgrace to the game.
- MrBigglesworth

NO

Give Jordan to the Leafs already...you guys can have Connolly/Bozak/Colborne ....yea our centers suck

You're right, and I'm not even going to get into yesterday. The NHL has no teeth when it comes to disciplinary ultimatums/threats. For all the talk about taking a stand against predatory headshots and the like, they never showed the will to back it up. Instead, they take their 'responsibility' to protect their stars to mean that only role players and other low profile names will see recourse when crossing the line. They set this tone again on day one of the playoffs with the Weber incident.
- BulliesPhan87

Yes, when you can take someone's head and ram it into the glass, like Andre the Giant and walk away paying what amounts to chump change, then other players will find it worth while to do the same. It is slowly ruining this sport, and at times is why it remains on NBCSC or whatever this weeks name of that channel is.

Safe to say this is going to be one of the most scrutinized handshakes lines in a long time? NBC is gonna need some extra cameras.

Yes, when you can take someone's head and ram it into the glass, like Andre the Giant and walk away paying what amounts to chump change, then other players will find it worth while to do the same. It is slowly ruining this sport, and at times is why it remains on NBCSC or whatever this weeks name of that channel is.
- ryman1566

I love that the games are with NBC. I don't like their opinion commentators (Milbury Roenick etc) but every single playoff game has been on. ESPN would never do that.

NBC Sports will continue to grow and is a perfectly fine distribution partner for the league.

The NBCSN profile is only going to grow after the 2012 Olympics.

I love that the games are with NBC. I don't like their opinion commentators (Milbury Roenick etc) but every single playoff game has been on. ESPN would never do that.

NBC Sports will continue to grow and is a perfectly fine distribution partner for the league.

The NBCSN profile is only going to grow after the 2012 Olympics.
- Gunner Staal

Actually, I agree strongly here. Hockey would've remained a second rate pro sports product with ESPN, living in the shadow of the NFL and the MLB. Running on NBC networks as a top product is good for the sport.

Safe to say this is going to be one of the most scrutinized handshakes lines in a long time? The joint is gonna need some extra security.
- vipeviper

Yes, when you can take someone's head and ram it into the glass, like Andre the Giant and walk away paying what amounts to chump change, then other players will find it worth while to do the same. It is slowly ruining this sport, and at times is why it remains on NBCSC or whatever this weeks name of that channel is.
- ryman1566

All that said about NBC etc. aside, yes. There was talk of changing the culture of the game, to remove the wreckless behavior. Well, the NHL is influencing a culture change alright, and it's the very one we're discussing now. Their failure to disallow dangerous, malicious, and predatory play has influenced this.

i had every intention of not posting a single comment in a pens blog during this series. the events yesterday were too compelling and i was too heated to follow that yesterday. i don't feel i crossed any lines. i've never seen a scene so ugly. i know pittsburgh is a great city with good natured people. it's only a sport. boy was it exciting. i just hope this series ends without further incident. i hope these two cities can show the sports world what class and sportsmanship are. i'm sure regardless the result of the season for the penguins, the future is very bright and you will be a perennial stanley cup threat.

Their failure to disallow dangerous, malicious, and predatory play has influenced this.
- BulliesPhan87

It has in recent weeks. It's become vigilante justice on the ice again.

I think any good play during the last month of the season that Paul Martin had, has been quickly erased in 3 games. And I truly hope he is traded around the time of the draft
- ryman1566

where is rob scuderi when you need him most ? ... ohhhhh the travesty

Yeah, I hope he addresses this too, I hope he is pissed. He was not on the ice yesterday, he didn't cross check 1 person, or startt 1 fight. By all accounts I've seen, he stayed outside of the locker room, pretty ticked off. Not really fair to criticize Mario here. But if it lends support to the whole 'whiny, dirty, orginization' evidence, then more power to ya. But I gotta feel alot of people inside the Pens are just as pissed and embarrassed as well.
- ryman1566

If he doesn't come out and say what his players did were exactly what he was talking about in the above mentioned quote it makes him a hypocrite.

Don't take offense to this, but I feel bad for the penguin fans. The league builds you guys up to be the best hockey team year after year, and force Crosby and Malkin down everyone's throats... People love it at first, but this year Lavi & Torts began to point out the entitlement the "franchise" has, and thier arrogance. Now the actions from this series, and the NHL fans are starting to see there was truth behind the statements, and they weren't just gamesmanship. The NHL fans are starting to turn on you, and when that does, the Media will, and then the NHL will have no choice but to follow, and the once admired Penguins will become the heels of the league.... and unfortunately the Penguin fans are going to take the brunt of the back-lash.... and I feel sorry for you guys.

It has in recent weeks. It's become vigilante justice on the ice again.
- Ben37

i agree with that to an extent. i also feel the pens know they can get away with a ton and are pushing that to the max. but, ultimately i agree, the league is at fault for this.

All that said about NBC etc. aside, yes. There was talk of changing the culture of the game, to remove the wreckless behavior. Well, the NHL is influencing a culture change alright, and it's the very one we're discussing now. Their failure to disallow dangerous, malicious, and predatory play has influenced this.
- BulliesPhan87

They failed with Shannaban, he was too recently retired IMO, still has friends in the game. Need to have an outside party who understands the game and isn't connected to the ever looming good ol' boys who think nothing is wrong with a Macho Man elbow to the head etc.

i had every intention of not posting a single comment in a pens blog during this series. the events yesterday were too compelling and i was too heated to follow that yesterday. i don't feel i crossed any lines. i've never seen a scene so ugly. i know pittsburgh is a great city with good natured people. it's only a sport. boy was it exciting. i just hope this series ends without further incident. i hope these two cities can show the sports world what class and sportsmanship are. i'm sure regardless the result of the season for the penguins, the future is very bright and you will be a perennial stanley cup threat.
- flyerscup2011

I hope Super Mario rips the C right off Cindy's chest... and tells him he doesnt deserve to wear it.

i had every intention of not posting a single comment in a pens blog during this series. the events yesterday were too compelling and i was too heated to follow that yesterday. i don't feel i crossed any lines. i've never seen a scene so ugly. i know pittsburgh is a great city with good natured people. it's only a sport. boy was it exciting. i just hope this series ends without further incident. i hope these two cities can show the sports world what class and sportsmanship are. i'm sure regardless the result of the season for the penguins, the future is very bright and you will be a perennial stanley cup threat.
- flyerscup2011

Thanks, it is baffling and frustrating to us too. Good on you for not coming in here and ripping us apart.

a sad day for penguins fans ..

give the C to jordan already...sid is a disgrace to the game.
- MrBigglesworth

I've never questioned Sid's talent. Not once. But he's an embarrassment as a Captain. After these past few games I don't know how anyone can argue that. Skill does not make a Captain. It's games like yesterday's where Captains need to step up...not spend time in the box and attempt to start stuff at every whistle that puts your own teammates in harms way. I'd think long and hard about letting him keep that C on his sweater. He's gone too far in his unwillingness to answer to anyone. I'm sure the front office has noticed. Give it to Staal or bring in some serious stand up vets in the offseason.

If he doesn't come out and say what his players did were exactly what he was talking about in the above mentioned quote it makes him a hypocrite.

Don't take offense to this, but I feel bad for the penguin fans. The league builds you guys up to be the best hockey team year after year, and force Crosby and Malkin down everyone's throats... People love it at first, but this year Lavi & Torts began to point out the entitlement the "franchise" has, and thier arrogance. Now the actions from this series, and the NHL fans are starting to see there was truth behind the statements, and they weren't just gamesmanship. The NHL fans are starting to turn on you, and when that does, the Media will, and then the NHL will have no choice but to follow, and the once admired Penguins will become the heels of the league.... and unfortunately the Penguin fans are going to take the brunt of the back-lash.... and I feel sorry for you guys.
- RooNosHockey

i think it'll blow over. the league is big time invested in the pens. also this series is not over. they could get their act together and lose with dignity, or even fight to come back in the series with class. the chapter hasn't been fully written.

They failed with Shannaban, he was too recently retired IMO, still has friends in the game. Need to have an outside party who understands the game and isn't connected to the ever looming good ol' boys who think nothing is wrong with a Macho Man elbow to the head etc.
- ryman1566

They should have offered the job to Kerry Fraser.