John Toperzer: Penguins Notes: Did Crosby dive? Pens squeak out Game 3 win, 5-4, in OT against the Islanders on Long Island

C'mon John. We don't need a troll invite with the blog title.

Really JT, didn't we have enough trolls yesterday?

No dive, it is called holding because a waiver wire dman couldn't handle Sid's speed, put Both hands on his shoulder and threw him off balance.

9 times out of 10 that is a penalty...even in overtime.

Seriously, let's move on. This shouldn't even be an issue.

C'mon John. We don't need a troll invite with the blog title.
- rival22

At least both our bloggers are going to make our lives a living hell today.

Really JT, didn't we have enough trolls yesterday?

No dive, it is called holding because a waiver wire dman couldn't handle Sid's speed, put Both hands on his shoulder and threw him off balance.

9 times out of 10 that is a penalty...even in overtime.

Seriously, let's move on. This shouldn't even be an issue.
- Sell My Monkey

Ahhh, c'mon. This is hockey! Worst yet, this is the internet!

Moving on takes months.

dive or not dive...tickytac penalty called in playoff ot

C'mon John. We don't need a troll invite with the blog title.
- rival22

You have another poll question to use? I'm all ears

Strait was 100% guild of a hold. Crosby had him beat, and was driving to the net about 8 feet out, and Strait grabbed at his shoulder clearly from behind. You have to call that - I don't care if it's preseason or playoff overtime. Absolutely the right call. Islander fans who disagree are simply delusional (or just upset about some other bad non-call earlier in the OT/game).

The only legitimate question is whether two penalties should have been called on the play, one for Strait, and one for Crosby for embellishment.

You have another poll question to use? I'm all ears
- the-mitch-wilsons

Carkner- accident or assault, on stabbing Cooke in the face from the bench.

Actually the grabbing on the shoulder and pulling is only the first cause of loss of balance. The fact that Straits right skate takes out Crosby's right skate (coincidental I'm sure) is the other trigger to the loss of balance.. nothing but a solid scoring opportunity that was negated by goon tactics..

Solid call. Good Job. Stay consistent. Thanks Refs.

You have another poll question to use? I'm all ears
- the-mitch-wilsons

Why can't Pens hold a lead?
Who needs to play better?
Who on the Islanders has impressed you?

I don't know... but after an evening of arguing about a dive or no dive, this just opens it up again to everyone.

Actually the grabbing on the shoulder and pulling is only the first cause of loss of balance. The fact that Straits right skate takes out Crosby's right skate (coincidental I'm sure) is the other trigger to the loss of balance.. nothing but a solid scoring opportunity that was negated by goon tactics..

Solid call. Good Job. Stay consistent. Thanks Refs.
- seaofgreen

2PM practice... lets hope we see Orpik skating with Martin.

It was absolutely a dive. Sid is the strongest player in the league on his feet.. all game long he dealt with much worse than that.. He knew he'd get the call, so and soon as that hand came up around him he went down. Cant blame him for going down either.

The refs need to let the game be played...

why John, why?...

Carkner- accident or assault, on stabbing Cooke in the face from the bench.
- nbartley9

Ha, good one but I would be surprised with anything other than a 99% to 1 % (by Carkner) vote.

Strait was 100% guild of a hold. Crosby had him beat, and was driving to the net about 8 feet out, and Strait grabbed at his shoulder clearly from behind. You have to call that - I don't care if it's preseason or playoff overtime. Absolutely the right call. Islander fans who disagree are simply delusional (or just upset about some other bad non-call earlier in the OT/game).

The only legitimate question is whether two penalties should have been called on the play, one for Strait, and one for Crosby for embellishment.
- Ravidel11

I think that's fair. The refs clearly decided that the latter penalty didn't need to be called.

Linda Cohn grew up on Long island, IIRC, so she's hardly an unbiased opinion.

anytime anyone uses those talking head goofs on nbc in milbury or roenick to defend their point of view...kill yourself. One is a shoe wielding child beater and the other is a crybaby. come on!

Yes crosby sold it. The object of the game is to win. He sold what was a blatant holding penalty. In OT no less to put his team on the powerplay. good, i hope he does it every chance he gets.

why the hell are we talking about that one penalty anymore anyway, in fact im done with it.

We should be talking about how the pens FINALLY showed a bit of character coming out cool and level headed in OT to play their game which resulted in the win. The the reports of no smiles and all business in the locker room afterward. you could see it in the post game videos with the players, in their attitudes. I have hope for game 4.

why arent we talking about the excessive amount of shots let on goal and how MAF (and im a huge MAF hater) has actually been playing decent enough to keep them in the game. If we keep the Isles to 20 or under shots this series is a cakewalk.

How about we talk about how dan decided to actually roll the line combinations more or less all game and how that translated to some clutch offense. Surprise!!!! Stick to the lines until Neal comes back and just slot him in the second line. offense will come as it always does. now we just need to tighten up on D. honestly our only problems right now seems to be backing off the opponent with the puck entering the zone, horrible neutral zone puck management and gap control. really... just fix those things and everything should click.

lastly, brooks orpik please please please come back. barring that i say try out bortuzzo. we've seen engelland and he can't stay out of the box or between the net and the defender. We've seen depres and sad to say i think the coaching staffs lack of confidence in him has translated into a shaky first game in the playoffs. try out bortuzzo,...or give depres another game and instill some confidence in the kid.

oh and game of thrones was legit last night.

Actually the grabbing on the shoulder and pulling is only the first cause of loss of balance. The fact that Straits right skate takes out Crosby's right skate (coincidental I'm sure) is the other trigger to the loss of balance.. nothing but a solid scoring opportunity that was negated by goon tactics..

Solid call. Good Job. Stay consistent. Thanks Refs.
- seaofgreen

If they were consistent this wouldnt even be a discussion.

If they are gonna call the game the same way they do in the pre-season and regular season... then it has to go all game long and for EVERY infraction.

During the second period (i believe) JT chips a puck in deep tried to go past Letang who pushes him and interferes with his progress.. so he tries again, and again Letang blocks him. In the regular season they call that 99/100 times. Drives me nuts because the d-man cant play his position, but it is what it is. Yet yesterday it was hailed a great defensive play and let go.

IMO, let the players play the game.

why John, why?...
- Emperor Filonius

Ha, it's just one hockey poll for one day out of an entire season. If the Penguins can survive the Islanders, Penguins fans can survive this vote!

Personally, I don't believe Crosby dove but it is a big topic for the day.

Actually thought the opposite with the announcers rarely saying anything negative towards Pittsburgh. Even after Cook's elbow late in the game they made sure to say "now thats a good clean hit" when it was nothing more than a direct elbow to the head and even extended his arm in the motion

What do you guys think about starting Vokoun next game? He was brought in as an insurance policy in case Fleury couldn't get it done. Since Game 1, where he had no real tough saves, he's been back to last year's self. I know the D hasn't been great, but still, 4 goals in back-to-back games is far from good. If he was on any other team, he'd be getting crucified right now.

I'm not saying Vokoun is the answer, but right now, I am saying that Fleury isn't.

Actually thought the opposite with the announcers rarely saying anything negative towards Pittsburgh. Even after Cook's elbow late in the game they made sure to say "now thats a good clean hit" when it was nothing more than a direct elbow to the head and even extended his arm in the motion
- Trainfellow

We must have been watching 2 different games, because that was not an elbow at all. Unless they've renamed the part of the body that is called "elbow."

oh and game of thrones was legit last night.
- saintjust21