I've been cross checked hard in the back and I have never flown to the ice like that. I don't know, usually when you superman its because you are letting yourself go down.
- nastyflyergirl

regardless, it's hard to judge that a guy dove on the play. he's really not expecting to get checked in the back on the way back to the bench.

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I've been cross checked hard in the back and I have never flown to the ice like that. I don't know, usually when you superman its because you are letting yourself go down.
- nastyflyergirl

Crosby went down like he was hit by sniper fire, but getting hit from behind when you have no idea it's coming, with no real chance to brace yourself for impact, I can see going down pretty hard. Not to mention getting pushed by 200+ pound men who are strong.

And the Code of Conduct didn't change overnight. There's still no name calling. You can make your point without it.
- bodiva88

You're not the boss of me, zebrafish!

So Bill, I suppose the Penguins are supposed to roll Crosby, Malkin, and Neal out there there again in garbage time when the game is out of reach after they've played most of the last 10 minutes and risk them getting injured? That would only have made a bad loss disastrous. There was nothing wrong with Vitale being out there, and nothing wrong with throwing a clean check. The check was textbook shoulder to shoulder, and wasn't "a little high", nor was it "gratuitous".

It was just hockey, no matter how you or Lava wants to spin it. Considering how your previous coach used to complain about Crosby's whining, I was really taken aback by the amount of whining coming from the eastern edge of the Commonwealth yesterday. How sad.
- Emperor Filonius

I had no problem with the hit on Briere. I did have a problem with Vitale not getting a kneeing major and a game misconduct in the first period.

So Bill, I suppose the Penguins are supposed to roll Crosby, Malkin, and Neal out there there again in garbage time when the game is out of reach after they've played most of the last 10 minutes and risk them getting injured? That would only have made a bad loss disastrous. There was nothing wrong with Vitale being out there, and nothing wrong with throwing a clean check. The check was textbook shoulder to shoulder, and wasn't "a little high", nor was it "gratuitous".

It was just hockey, no matter how you or Lava wants to spin it. Considering how your previous coach used to complain about Crosby's whining, I was really taken aback by the amount of whining coming from the eastern edge of the Commonwealth yesterday. How sad.
- Emperor Filonius

Every team's fanbase in general in all sports whines about things that go against their team. Did you just start watching sports a couple weeks ago? What exactly are you trying to accomplish with post after post after post about complaining about Flyers' fans complaining?

regardless, it's hard to judge that a guy dove on the play. he's really not expecting to get checked in the back on the way back to the bench.
- bradleyc4

I could watch this gif all day.

It's all gamesmanship, it happens every year and all 30 teams engage in it. Are fans of both teams going to spend another day complaining about the other team's dirty whiny players while ignoring our their own team's dirty, whiny players?
- Jsaquella

Hi, you must be new here so allow me to answer that for you.

Yes.

Enjoy your stay.

Let's face it, both teams played a chippy game yesterday. And both teams had guys that did their share of WWE promos yesterday. Laviolette's comments were certainly self serving, as was Crosby's complaint about the cross check from Schenn.

It's all gamesmanship, it happens every year and all 30 teams engage in it. Are fans of both teams going to spend another day complaining about the other team's dirty whiny players while ignoring our their own team's dirty, whiny players?
- Jsaquella

Apparently the answer may be 'yes'

I had no problem with the hit on Briere. I did have a problem with Vitale not getting a kneeing major and a game misconduct in the first period.
- bmeltzer

That's a fair point Bill, one I tend to agree with, but being Vitale didn't get a game misconduct and was available for Bylsma to use, I don't have issue with him being on the ice at that stage of the game.

Hi, you must be new here so allow me to answer that for you.

Yes.

Enjoy your stay.
- Scoob

+1

That's a fair point Bill, one I tend to agree with, but being Vitale didn't get a game misconduct and was available for Bylsma to use, I don't have issue with him being on the ice at that stage of the game.
- PLindbergh31

I honestly don't know what Laviolette's gripe is with this whole thing.

honestly, there's WAY too much complaining going on by both Pens fans AND Flyers fans.

The hit was clean, and probably inevitable considering Schenn's crosschecks on Crosby. The Pens were taking a bit of retaliatory action for the Flyers going after #87. And, the Flyers did the same after Briere was laid out. That's hockey.

Flyers fans need to stop whining about how dirty the hit was. It wasn't, and we would be loudly cheering if Rinaldo had laid out Malkin. Were the Pens supposed to ONLY play their top lines during the last couple of minutes?

I love Lavi, but his whole "gutless" remarks are a complete over reaction. I guess he feels he needs to back up his players a 100%, but I just think he went to far with that remark.

And Pen fans need to recognize that Crosby's OWN stick work on Giroux led to Schenn giving him some in return. Let's not act like Sid was Mr. Innocent here, okay? Crosby probably also deserves an acting award for some of his embellishments.

The bottom line is that the situation could have easily been reversed had the Pens been winning by a couple of goals with a minute or two to play. As a Flyers fan I've seen my team do it a 100 times over the years.

All in all, we're starting playoff hockey a few games early. In the words of the late, great Macho Man: "oh, yeahhhhhhh!"

Thank you! I saw the full clip during the Rags Bruins game. They came up the ice and Schenn gave him a shot back.
- hockeylover

Milbury (who I can't stand) is ripping Crosby on WIP for starting the whole thing. and said Blysma should have taken off his skirt. Pointed out that Crosby is Gretsky like in his whining and they pointed out that while Malkin may be dirty, he does whatever it takes to win and doesn't whine when the shots are directed to him like Crosby. pretty funny stuff

I honestly don't know what Laviolette's gripe is with this whole thing.
- eayost

He's protecting his players. I don't have a problem with what went on...

I honestly don't know what Laviolette's gripe is with this whole thing.
- eayost

I loved the passion Laviolette showed sticking up for his players, but I don't understand his whole " those players hadn't been on the ice in 12 minutes" remark. Hey Pete, Pens were down by 3 goals with a minute left, were you expecting the Crosby line?

I honestly don't know what Laviolette's gripe is with this whole thing.
- eayost

Putting out a line of goons instead of losing gracefully(ie trying to actually score while there is still time on the clock)....I get it. I don't know if I'd blow a gasket in that situation as well... but I get it.

I honestly don't know what Laviolette's gripe is with this whole thing.
- eayost

I agree. I also have more of a problem with Briere being on the ice in a decided game at that point. If I were the Pens I would have done the same thing.

And has been stated, had it been reversed and Rinaldo leveled Crobsy or Malkin, we would be cheering and high fiving. (except 2Real, he disagrees).

It was a clean hit, Briere shouldn't be cutting cross ice at the blueline.

I honestly don't know what Laviolette's gripe is with this whole thing.
- eayost

Laviolette was probably dealing with being pissed from earlier. I found his antics funny, but a bit of an over reaction.

Maybe he was just pissed that Vitale was in the game to hit Briere after kneeing Grossmann. At the time all he knew was he'd already lost one key defenseman and watched one of his key forwards who had had concussion issues take a big hit from the same dude.

Milbury (who I can't stand) is ripping Crosby on WIP for starting the whole thing. and said Blysma should have taken off his skirt. Pointed out that Crosby is Gretsky like in his whining and they pointed out that while Malkin may be dirty, he does whatever it takes to win and doesn't whine when the shots are directed to him like Crosby. pretty funny stuff
- nastyflyergirl

When Milbury isn't setting franchises back two decades, or roughing up 12 year old kids, he makes valid points on occasion.

Laviolette was probably dealing with being pissed from earlier. I found his antics funny, but a bit of an over reaction.

Maybe he was just pissed that Vitale was in the game to hit Briere after kneeing Grossmann. At the time all he knew was he'd already lost one key defenseman and watched one of his key forwards who had had concussion issues take a big hit from the same dude.
- Jsaquella

Agreed.

Does anyone have video of the Grossmann hit? I missed that as I was in transit.

Putting out a line of goons instead of losing gracefully(ie trying to actually score while there is still time on the clock)....I get it. I don't know if I'd blow a gasket in that situation as well... but I get it.
- hereticpride

you can actaully try to say that the Pens were trying to implore old time hockey...
sending a message
calling card

we are not going to take the abuse you dish out to Sidney

blah blah blah

if the shoe was on the other foot, i would not have liked it either. Save your energy because another day will come to exact revenge. Plus, the best way to provide revenge is to WIN to send them home.

regardless, it's hard to judge that a guy dove on the play. he's really not expecting to get checked in the back on the way back to the bench.
- bradleyc4

Just saying I have had that happened and instinct is to try to keep yourself up and generally you fall on your knees

Crosby went down like he was hit by sniper fire, but getting hit from behind when you have no idea it's coming, with no real chance to brace yourself for impact, I can see going down pretty hard. Not to mention getting pushed by 200+ pound men who are strong.
- PLindbergh31

its relative......if I am getting hit by a girl, yes she can't hit as hard of course but at the same time I am not a 200 lb guy either. And I have taken nice cross checks in the back during men's league

honestly, there's WAY too much complaining going on by both Pens fans AND Flyers fans.

The hit was clean, and probably inevitable considering Schenn's crosschecks on Crosby. The Pens were taking a bit of retaliatory action for the Flyers going after #87. And, the Flyers did the same after Briere was laid out. That's hockey.

Flyers fans need to stop whining about how dirty the hit was. It wasn't, and we would be loudly cheering if Rinaldo had laid out Malkin. Were the Pens supposed to ONLY play their top lines during the last couple of minutes?

I love Lavi, but his whole "gutless" remarks are a complete over reaction. I guess he feels he needs to back up his players a 100%, but I just think he went to far with that remark.

And Pen fans need to recognize that Crosby's OWN stick work on Giroux led to Schenn giving him some in return. Let's not act like Sid was Mr. Innocent here, okay? Crosby probably also deserves an acting award for some of his embellishments.

The bottom line is that the situation could have easily been reversed had the Pens been winning by a couple of goals with a minute or two to play. As a Flyers fan I've seen my team do it a 100 times over the years.

All in all, we're starting playoff hockey a few games early. In the words of the late, great Macho Man: "oh, yeahhhhhhh!"


- FlyerGuy

Well said.