- MBFlyerfan

Always love the way Crosby "fights".. If he can't jump a guy in the faceoff circle before he's ready, or have the refs step in between before throwing shots over their shoulders, he just tugs and wrestles guys to the ice and tries to get some shots in on the way down or after they're down.





He fights like a vagina.. I realize he isn't a fighter.. but at least look respectable doing it if you're going to do it. Jeez...



One time.. just one time.. I want to see him square up with someone, with no refs getting involved... and without tugging on a guys jersey until he gets whiplash.

Always love the way Crosby "fights".. If he can't jump a guy in the faceoff circle before he's ready, or have the refs step in between before throwing shots over their shoulders, he just tugs and wrestles guys to the ice and tries to get some shots in on the way down or after they're down.





He fights like a vagina.. I realize he isn't a fighter.. but at least look respectable doing it if you're going to do it. Jeez...



One time.. just one time.. I want to see him square up with someone, with no refs getting involved... and without tugging on a guys jersey until he gets whiplash.
- WarriorHockey21

He squared up with Niskanen.

And tugging on a guy's jersey is incredibly smart, as it gets the guy off balance and is a way to loosen up your arms if a guy tries to tie them up (see Luke Schenn vs. Downie).

The other thing about Crosby is that he's in incredible shape, even for a pro hockey player. His core strength is off the charts, so it's very hard for players to handle him. Unless you're a trained fighter or have a crazy strength advantage, I'd say he could beat the poop out of anyone on this board.

The McLean one and the Bruins one (Ference?)...I can't defend those, those were cheap.

He fights like a vagina.. I realize he isn't a fighter.. but at least look respectable doing it if you're going to do it. Jeez...



One time.. just one time.. I want to see him square up with someone, with no refs getting involved... and without tugging on a guys jersey until he gets whiplash.
- WarriorHockey21

I imagine the refs panic when Sid decides that he's got to spark his team in a game where they're down by two to the Panthers. They don't want to be the guy in the video when Sid's head hits the ice.

Sid's fight card is certainly less impressive than Joe Sakic's while not making a terrible showing like Alex Semin. I don't think Sid will have an honest fight in his career.

Every hip check is dangerous. Especially if the player's especially tall.
- jmatchett383

I absolutely HATE hip checks. Even if they're legal, and done properly, they're inches away from ending a player's season ... or career.

There's just no need for these kind of checks to be legal.

He squared up with Niskanen.

And tugging on a guy's jersey is incredibly smart, as it gets the guy off balance and is a way to loosen up your arms if a guy tries to tie them up (see Luke Schenn vs. Downie).

The other thing about Crosby is that he's in incredible shape, even for a pro hockey player. His core strength is off the charts, so it's very hard for players to handle him. Unless you're a trained fighter or have a crazy strength advantage, I'd say he could beat the poop out of anyone on this board.

The McLean one and the Bruins one (Ference?)...I can't defend those, those were cheap.
- jmatchett383

But that's a cop out, imo.. the way he does it. Jolting a bit and trying to gain a hold advantage is one thing. Making it your main objective is a completely other. I can't frickin stand the guy when he drops the gloves. It's like something you'd see my 5 year old nephew do to another little kid...

Guess it's just me, but I can't stand him, let alone his" fighting style". I don't care how much core strength he has, if he actually fought like a real man, he'd lose most of those fights. All his core strength does is help him tug the shat out of people until they black out and fall over..

I imagine the refs panic when Sid decides that he's got to spark his team in a game where they're down by two to the Panthers. They don't want to be the guy in the video when Sid's head hits the ice.

Sid's fight card is certainly less impressive than Joe Sakic's while not making a terrible showing like Alex Semin. I don't think Sid will have an honest fight in his career.
- Johnny Wrath

Hahaha.. classic.. floppy arms slap you silly!

But that's a cop out, imo.. the way he does it. Jolting a bit and trying to gain a hold advantage is one thing. Making it your main objective is a completely other. I can't frickin stand the guy when he drops the gloves. It's like something you'd see my 5 year old nephew do to another little kid...

Guess it's just me, but I can't stand him, let alone his" fighting style". I don't care how much core strength he has, if he actually fought like a real man, he'd lose most of those fights. All his core strength does is help him tug the shat out of people until they black out and fall over..
- WarriorHockey21

Per TSN, Flyers acquire Crosby in exchange for Rinaldo and a 3rd round pick.

I absolutely HATE hip checks. Even if they're legal, and done properly, they're inches away from ending a player's season ... or career.

There's just no need for these kind of checks to be legal.
- FlyerGuy

So how would you suggest a guy like Chara deliver a "clean" check to a guy like Briere? A "clean" shoulder check is a hit to the head, which is a penalty. The only way to cleanly hit him is to use his hips.

If done properly, like the Scuderi one, it's a very effective way on removing the player from the puck. It hurts like hell, and can make you cramp up, but it won't cause serious injury if used correctly.

I did it all the time because I'm only 5'9 150 lb and was trying to defend guys who were 6'+ 200 lb+ and couldn't easily muscle them off the puck. Wanna guess how many careers I ended by doing so?

He squared up with Niskanen.

And tugging on a guy's jersey is incredibly smart, as it gets the guy off balance and is a way to loosen up your arms if a guy tries to tie them up (see Luke Schenn vs. Downie).

The other thing about Crosby is that he's in incredible shape, even for a pro hockey player. His core strength is off the charts, so it's very hard for players to handle him. Unless you're a trained fighter or have a crazy strength advantage, I'd say he could beat the poop out of anyone on this board.

The McLean one and the Bruins one (Ference?)...I can't defend those, those were cheap.
- jmatchett383

Niskanen just looked really weak in that scrap. It's 2 guys fighting wearing visors off a face-off. It's honest using the very worst kind of relativism.

- MBFlyerfan

Same exact hit as the Jake one.

I don't like that. It's too low for me. Principle point of contact is the knees...that's a no go in my book.

If you wanna hipcheck someone, you hit em in the thigh or hip. Going right for the knees by bending down into the catcher's position is not ok.

Man...Crosby can really throw em.

But that's a cop out, imo.. the way he does it. Jolting a bit and trying to gain a hold advantage is one thing. Making it your main objective is a completely other. I can't frickin stand the guy when he drops the gloves. It's like something you'd see my 5 year old nephew do to another little kid...

Guess it's just me, but I can't stand him, let alone his" fighting style". I don't care how much core strength he has, if he actually fought like a real man, he'd lose most of those fights. All his core strength does is help him tug the shat out of people until they black out and fall over..
- WarriorHockey21

Actually, his core strength would help him keep his balance, maneuver a player's arms, and deliver a punch. Those are key components to a hockey fight.

You can not like him and his fighting style all you want, but it's ridiculously effective.

So how would you suggest a guy like Chara deliver a "clean" check to a guy like Briere? A "clean" shoulder check is a hit to the head, which is a penalty. The only way to cleanly hit him is to use his hips.

If done properly, like the Scuderi one, it's a very effective way on removing the player from the puck. It hurts like hell, and can make you cramp up, but it won't cause serious injury if used correctly.

I did it all the time because I'm only 5'9 150 lb and was trying to defend guys who were 6'+ 200 lb+ and couldn't easily muscle them off the puck. Wanna guess how many careers I ended by doing so?
- jmatchett383

I've seen Chara check plenty of smaller guys (and who isn't smaller?) without using a hip check. He basically just uses his size to ride their whole bodies into the boards.

I just don't like any hits below the waist, just like I don't like them above the shoulders.

I've seen Chara check plenty of smaller guys (and who isn't smaller?) without using a hip check. He basically just uses his size to ride their whole bodies into the boards.

I just don't like any hits below the waist, just like I don't like them above the shoulders.
- FlyerGuy

Yes, Chara more or less just leans on guys and rides them into the boards, true. Still, if you do it properly, there's nothing illegal or dirty about a hip check. You just have to know where the hips are and not aim too low (or too, high, or you'll get bowled over).

Yes, Chara more or less just leans on guys and rides them into the boards, true. Still, if you do it properly, there's nothing illegal or dirty about a hip check. You just have to know where the hips are and not aim too low (or too, high, or you'll get bowled over).
- jmatchett383

I hear ya ... it definitely has to be done right.

My issue with hip checks, after playing and watching games for 4 decades, is how often they seem to immediately result in either a scrum, fight or retaliatory hit. Not always, but quite often.

It seems that the player or team on the receiving end almost always interprets a hip check as being borderline dirty.

Yes, Chara more or less just leans on guys and rides them into the boards, true. Still, if you do it properly, there's nothing illegal or dirty about a hip check. You just have to know where the hips are and not aim too low (or too, high, or you'll get bowled over).
- jmatchett383

I'm not coming off the point where a hip check is a defensive posture of superior positioning along the boards. The offensive player has to abandon the puck. That's checking. No play on the puck. Attempting to play the puck will result in the equivalent of running into a fire hydrant. They've got to know.

I'm not coming off the point where a hip check is a defensive posture of superior positioning along the boards. The offensive player has to abandon the puck. That's checking. No play on the puck. Attempting to play the puck will result in the equivalent of running into a fire hydrant. They've got to know.
- Johnny Wrath

The only way to can retain puck possession is to wait until the player is about to deliver the hit, chip it past him and maneuver around him...which is actually a very dangerous play, because then you're basically dangling your knees over the defender.

But yes, if it's done properly, it's picture perfect defense.

I hear ya ... it definitely has to be done right.

My issue with hip checks, after playing and watching games for 4 decades, is how often they seem to immediately result in either a scrum, fight or retaliatory hit. Not always, but quite often.

It seems that the player or team on the receiving end almost always interprets a hip check as being borderline dirty.
- FlyerGuy

I agree, but how often does a big, clean shoulder hit result in a fight? Look at everyone's favorite person Zac Rinaldo and his big (clean) hit on Doughty. He dropped him coming across the middle, and had to fight Penner. Clean hits, but when you see a teammate take a hit like that, it seems NHL players need to fight you for making a clean hit.

I agree, but how often does a big, clean shoulder hit result in a fight? Look at everyone's favorite person Zac Rinaldo and his big (clean) hit on Doughty. He dropped him coming across the middle, and had to fight Penner. Clean hits, but when you see a teammate take a hit like that, it seems NHL players need to fight you for making a clean hit.
- jmatchett383

That's the rat culture thing and why fighting is really on the wrong edge of the sword these days.


Look at Craig Adams dump his man into the boards right as the fight starts. I hate that guy. He's been doing that in practice to rookies.

Since 2010, in the Regular & Post-Season, the Flyers have lost 23 total man-games to suspensions; 10 separate suspension cases. Since 2010, in the Regular & Post-Season, the Penguins have lost 50 man-games to suspensions; 13 separate suspension cases.

Got this from one of my hockey feeds. I hope those glass houses Pens fans live in are shatter proof.

That's the rat culture thing and why fighting is really on the wrong edge of the sword these days.


Look at Craig Adams dump his man into the boards right as the fight starts. I hate that guy. He's been doing that in practice to rookies.
- Johnny Wrath

Craig Adams is worthless. It's sad, he was a really effective player for years.

Still, he'll get picked up as a "defensive specialist" by someone for a few more years.

I absolutely HATE hip checks. Even if they're legal, and done properly, they're inches away from ending a player's season ... or career.

There's just no need for these kind of checks to be legal.
- FlyerGuy

I agree, and that's why Voracek got pissed.

Yes, you are right, Letang deserved it because Pittsburgh employs Farnham and recalled him for the game. Who exactly is our equal to Zac Rinaldo? Steve Downie? Sure, Downie takes liberties. However champ, Downie at least exhibits other skills that gives people the idea he can play in this league. He has a 20-goal season on his resume. He has 8 goals and 21 points as a Penguin this year. Wake me up when Rinaldo gets a five goal season, or a 20-point season. He has 20 points in his NHL career. Way to shift blame champ.

Recalling Farnham initiated all this. This once again proves the insanity of you and people like you. Show some sense.
- Oneonta Penguin

I know you guys hate hearing this but as long as you toot players horns like Downie and try to justify his role on your team you look like a bunch of hypocrites to the rest of the league. It's common sense. The guy is as dirty as they come. Total reckless piece of garbage. Point totals should have nothing to do with determining a players reckless play. I'd take it a step further and say Downie is probably more dirty than Rinaldo from what I've seen. I have no idea why you guys stick up for a player who has been nothing more than a complete, total detriment to your team every time we've played you.


If you live by the sword...

And as long as they keep that conception in their heads, it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
- jmatchett383

ding ding ding

I agree, and that's why Voracek got pissed.
- MJL

I would also say good on Voracek for handling his own poop. This is the first season where he's really high profile and to some extent a player still has to earn his credibility. Europeans especially.

I would also say good on Voracek for handling his own poop. This is the first season where he's really high profile and to some extent a player still has to earn his credibility. Europeans especially.
- Johnny Wrath

agreed.