Ryan Wilson: Malkin and Crosby Score, Penguins Win + Update On Orpik Penguins defeat Blue Jackets in an uneventful game 2-1

With everything that has happened lately I think the three days off will do the team some good. Recharge the batteries.

With everything that has happened lately I think the three days off will do the team some good. Recharge the batteries.
- acdc1206

Emotionally and physically the last few days have been quite intense.

Can sympathize with Orpik. When I had my concussion I could not recall a single aspect of the game I had been playing. I distinctly remember trying my hardest to remember what day of the week it was and couldnt even do so. Its scary.

The ONLY even tiniest grain of salt I can take from the Orpik news is that hopefully the NHL will take it into consideration when they issue their suspension to Thornton. We all know that the NHL seems to issue penalties based on results vs actions and intent. In other words, if Orpik was fine, the penalty would be less severe, which is crazy, but its that's the way it is in the NHL world. Even with that, I'll be shocked if he gets more than 10 games, when he should be getting 40.

So is Thornton suspended from all games until his hearing? Does it usually take this long to actually schedule a hearing?

So is Thornton suspended from all games until his hearing? Does it usually take this long to actually schedule a hearing?
- kgrpitt

Meetings are prolonging it, Neal's accidental contact suspension was an easy over the phone way to pacify Pens haters.

Meetings are prolonging it, Neal's accidental contact suspension was an easy over the phone way to pacify Pens haters.
- nbartley9

You can certainly count yourself among the very few--from any fan base--who thought that was accidental.

So is Thornton suspended from all games until his hearing? Does it usually take this long to actually schedule a hearing?
- kgrpitt

I was thinking the same thing. The Board of Governors meeting must be holding it up. He should get 20 +, but taht wont happen.

So is Thornton suspended from all games until his hearing? Does it usually take this long to actually schedule a hearing?
- kgrpitt

It doesn't usually take this long, but since it was a given he was going to be suspended, it doesn't matter.

This isn't going to be good news for the NHL so the delay may be less about the BOG meetings holding up the process than a conscious marketing decision to wait. By delaying the hearing until Friday afternoon, the BOG meetings will take center stage in the media all week. By the time they hold the hearing on Friday afternoon and issue the findings, it will, in some ways be lost in the wash. To late to be much discussed on talk radio with a full slate of weekend games about to kick off, etc... When given a choice, HR always issues bad news on a Friday afternoon and the Dept. of Players' Safety is just an HR dept at the end of the day.

It doesn't usually take this long, but since it was a given he was going to be suspended, it doesn't matter.

This isn't going to be good news for the NHL so the delay may be less about the BOG meetings holding up the process than a conscious marketing decision to wait. By delaying the hearing until Friday afternoon, the BOG meetings will take center stage in the media all week. By the time they hold the hearing on Friday afternoon and issue the findings, it will, in some ways be lost in the wash. To late to be much discussed on talk radio with a full slate of weekend games about to kick off, etc... When given a choice, HR always issues bad news on a Friday afternoon and the Dept. of Players' Safety is just an HR dept at the end of the day.
- akane13

Yeah I was thinking they prolonged it just for the reason you stated. It is always better, HR wise, to announce unpopular/bad news on the weekend. Most people are less likely to be listening and alot of action going on during the weekend to worry about something that occurred a week ago.

I was thinking the same thing. The Board of Governors meeting must be holding it up. He should get 20 +, but taht wont happen.
- joescullz

I think Neal should have gotten 8-10 and Thornton 25+. Just both horrible plays and disgrace for the teams they represent and for the game in general.

I think Neal should have gotten 8-10 and Thornton 25+. Just both horrible plays and disgrace for the teams they represent and for the game in general.
- kgrpitt

I'm a huge Neal fan but unfortunately these actions don't help anyone and only hurt the Penguins team. He was on a tear but now he won't see the ice for four more games. I really hope this is the last time we have to talk about him getting suspended and he realizes that he needs to be playing and not watching from the press box.

It might be the unpopular opinion here, but a few days removed from it, I don't see Thornton getting more than 8-10 games, nor should he.

This play has the stretcher effect.... If you just look at what Thornton does, he pulls Orpik down from behind onto his butt, then gives him two gloved punches. We've seen a ton worse in this sport... If Orpik comes out of the scrum with a broken nose, us Pens fans are calling for Thornton's head, but it doesn't go much further. We've seen much harder punches (with and without gloves) cause little or no injury. It just happened to catch Orpik in the right spot.

But you can't deny Orpik getting knocked out is what gets this outrage to the level it's at now.

People are complaining that the NHL punishes too much based on injury, but then are calling for 20+ games for Thornton. You can't have it both ways. If there is no injury, there is very little outrage (and very little suspension if any). Just another cement head hockey player taking some liberties against another player.

What Thornton did has no place in this game, and the idea that Orpik has to "answer" for what everyone outside of Boston views as a clean hit, is a complete joke. But the injury makes this into a bigger controversy than it probably should be.

*ducks*

It might be the unpopular opinion here, but a few days removed from it, I don't see Thornton getting more than 8-10 games, nor should he.

This play has the stretcher effect.... If you just look at what Thornton does, he pulls Orpik down from behind onto his butt, then gives him two gloved punches. We've seen a ton worse in this sport... If Orpik comes out of the scrum with a broken nose, us Pens fans are calling for Thornton's head, but it doesn't go much further. We've seen much harder punches (with and without gloves) cause little or no injury. It just happened to catch Orpik in the right spot.

But you can't deny Orpik getting knocked out is what gets this outrage to the level it's at now.

People are complaining that the NHL punishes too much based on injury, but then are calling for 20+ games for Thornton. You can't have it both ways. If there is no injury, there is very little outrage (and very little suspension if any). Just another cement head hockey player taking some liberties against another player.

What Thornton did has no place in this game, and the idea that Orpik has to "answer" for what everyone outside of Boston views as a clean hit, is a complete joke. But the injury makes this into a bigger controversy than it probably should be.

*ducks*
- rival22

I dont necessarily think people want it both ways. Most agree punishing based on injury is a pretty dumb way to decide on suspensions. However, the fact that this did cause a serious injury shouldnt mitigate the action. Just as Zac Rinaldo should have been punished for throwing punches to an unwilling combatant. Could easily have been the same as when Carcillo suckered Matt Bradley a few years ago.

Basically I get what youre saying. Just because the NHL punishes based on result, doesnt mean that a terrible action with a bad result should be judged any softer.

It might be the unpopular opinion here, but a few days removed from it, I don't see Thornton getting more than 8-10 games, nor should he.

This play has the stretcher effect.... If you just look at what Thornton does, he pulls Orpik down from behind onto his butt, then gives him two gloved punches. We've seen a ton worse in this sport... If Orpik comes out of the scrum with a broken nose, us Pens fans are calling for Thornton's head, but it doesn't go much further. We've seen much harder punches (with and without gloves) cause little or no injury. It just happened to catch Orpik in the right spot.

But you can't deny Orpik getting knocked out is what gets this outrage to the level it's at now.

People are complaining that the NHL punishes too much based on injury, but then are calling for 20+ games for Thornton. You can't have it both ways. If there is no injury, there is very little outrage (and very little suspension if any). Just another cement head hockey player taking some liberties against another player.

What Thornton did has no place in this game, and the idea that Orpik has to "answer" for what everyone outside of Boston views as a clean hit, is a complete joke. But the injury makes this into a bigger controversy than it probably should be.

*ducks*
- rival22

I hate when people do this but im going to do it anyways, answer your question with 2 more questions.

1. You do not believe he was slewfooted?
2. Who do you think "dropping the gloves" literally is protecting? Why not fight with the gloves on?

It might be the unpopular opinion here, but a few days removed from it, I don't see Thornton getting more than 8-10 games, nor should he.

This play has the stretcher effect.... If you just look at what Thornton does, he pulls Orpik down from behind onto his butt, then gives him two gloved punches. We've seen a ton worse in this sport... If Orpik comes out of the scrum with a broken nose, us Pens fans are calling for Thornton's head, but it doesn't go much further. We've seen much harder punches (with and without gloves) cause little or no injury. It just happened to catch Orpik in the right spot.

But you can't deny Orpik getting knocked out is what gets this outrage to the level it's at now.

People are complaining that the NHL punishes too much based on injury, but then are calling for 20+ games for Thornton. You can't have it both ways. If there is no injury, there is very little outrage (and very little suspension if any). Just another cement head hockey player taking some liberties against another player.

What Thornton did has no place in this game, and the idea that Orpik has to "answer" for what everyone outside of Boston views as a clean hit, is a complete joke. But the injury makes this into a bigger controversy than it probably should be.

*ducks*
- rival22

I'll portect ya.
Very well said, cleanish hit but unnecessary to crush someone like that.
Refs let to much go and Thornton lost his temper, rightfully so. Just did it the wrong way.

I'll portect ya.
Very well said, cleanish hit but unnecessary to crush someone like that.
Refs let to much go and Thornton lost his temper, rightfully so. Just did it the wrong way.
- Thornton22

Very strange for a bruins fan to complain about guys hitting hard Lucic hits harder than almost anyone I have ever seen.

I hate when people do this but im going to do it anyways, answer your question with 2 more questions.

1. You do not believe he was slewfooted?
2. Who do you think "dropping the gloves" literally is protecting? Why not fight with the gloves on?
- nbartley9

I'll bite!

Slewfoot yes sorta(by defintion then yes)...... but if you watch it, Thornton hangs on to Orpik so he doesn't land hard on the ice. He actually protects Orpik on the way down.
Time for you to have a field test, go get a friend who is equal size to you.
Your wear Hockey Gloves and your buddy is bare fisted, now trade punches, one for one.
Who is gonna look worse afterwards?
Christ I can't believe I had to spell that out for you.

Very strange for a bruins fan to complain about guys hitting hard Lucic hits harder than almost anyone I have ever seen.
- nbartley9

Don't recall complaining about the hit all, let me re-read all my posts on the subject..... nope didn't complain. Puck was played albeit inadvenrtainly by Loui
Got caught with his head down. Yes, Orpik could have and probably should have let up. Thats all.

Lucic tries not to catch players unaware, in open ice.
He tends to pancake them along the boards. Note: I said along the boards, not into them. As a rule, but it has happened.

Very strange for a bruins fan to complain about guys hitting hard Lucic hits harder than almost anyone I have ever seen.
- nbartley9

This...

"unnecessary to crush someone like that"

If Johnny Boychuk steps up and hits Crosby like that, Bruins fans would build a statue of him in front of the Garden.

I hate when people do this but im going to do it anyways, answer your question with 2 more questions.

1. You do not believe he was slewfooted?
2. Who do you think "dropping the gloves" literally is protecting? Why not fight with the gloves on?
- nbartley9

It was a slewfoot... but not the really dangerous ones where a player is skating and falls back and smacks their head.... Orpik basically just sat down.

Yes, getting smacked in the face with a hockey glove hurts like hell... but how many gloved shots to the face do you see in every playoff game during scrums? A lot.


Like I said, I hate what Thornton did, and that doesn't belong in the game... He was just being a baby because Orpik wouldn't fight him after a clean hit.

Don't recall complaining about the hit all, let me re-read all my posts on the subject..... nope didn't complain. Puck was played albeit inadvenrtainly by Loui
Got caught with his head down. Yes, Orpik could have and probably should have let up. Thats all.

Lucic tries not to catch players unaware, in open ice.
He tends to pancake them along the boards. Note: I said along the boards, not into them. As a rule, but it has happened.
- Thornton22

Lucic ran a goalie on open ice...

And Boychuk hunts players down looking for big open ice hits a lot.

Don't recall complaining about the hit all, let me re-read all my posts on the subject..... nope didn't complain. Puck was played albeit inadvenrtainly by Loui
Got caught with his head down. Yes, Orpik could have and probably should have let up. Thats all.

Lucic tries not to catch players unaware, in open ice.
He tends to pancake them along the boards. Note: I said along the boards, not into them. As a rule, but it has happened.
- Thornton22

"unnecessary to crush someone like that" sounds like complaining about a hard hit, but if not then ok.

This...

"unnecessary to crush someone like that"

If Johnny Boychuk steps up and hits Crosby like that, Bruins fans would build a statue of him in front of the Garden.
- rival22

Lets make it say equal talent, Kunitz type person. Then no, no statue.
Also if Boychuk hit Crosby like that you can bet your ass that every single non-Bruin fan and even some Bruins fans would lose their poop and call for his head, his familes head and the NHL to ban body checking. Now don't kid yourself Orpik would have gone right after Johnny too.
Differenc eis Johnny would have fought him right there.
Not exactly a fair comparrison now is it.
Also I'm not a fan of the huge unnecessary open ice hits when player has no chance to protect himself. Spoken as a NHL fan not just a Bruins fan.