Wanted to comment on those saying in yesterday's thread that Mike Emrick has a "grudge" against the Flyers. Scoop Cooper could address it better than I can, because Doc is one of Scoop's closest friends, but I have talked to Emrick enough times to be able to say that this is 100 percent false.

Emrick holds the organization in high regard, even though no one likes to lose his job. But even if he didn't, he's an absolute pro who is pure class. Any personal feelings are left out of his professional work.

When Emrick learned he was being replaced by Jim Jackson, do you know what Doc did? He took JJ out to lunch and passed along as much advice as he possibly could about the particulars of broadcasting hockey in the Philly market. He didn't have to do that, but that's the kind of person Mike Emrick is.

It should also be said, although Emrick himself wouldn't want it to be said, that Doc is the #1 reason that Mark Howe finally got in the "big" HHOF in Toronto. It is Doc who nominates Fred Shero for the builders' category year after year.

If you don't enjoy his broadcasting style or think he has a good voice for play-by-play, that's your prerogative. I disagree, but that's a matter of opinion. But to say his work is influenced by some sort of bias, is 100 percent false.

How was Vitale's hit dirty?!? Briere's head was down flying through the nuetral zone. What do you expect? Your going to go down hard.
- PensMalkin71

It was the cleanest dirty hit I have ever seen, we all know the intent was there... No one was hurt and its over, but call it like it is and move on...dont stand there and defend it.

You're being far too civil and it disgusts me.
- Jsaquella

So are you, do I need to call you to my house for some phantom cable repair and drive you mad

so if rinaldo blows up Crosby in garbage time w/ a legal check we're cool - right? good
- isaiah520

If Bylsma is stupid enough to have Crosby out there in that situation in a game that's already decided, then he's absolutely fair game for a legal check.

You're being far too civil and it disgusts me.
- Jsaquella

I try when I'm in here I'm not as civil when the trolls come to our blog.

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?
- eayost

Mostly making a point that Flyers fans on this board have labelled the Penguins players, organization, and fans as whiners and complainers. My point is simply that you are no better than us in this regard.

Wanted to comment on those saying in yesterday's thread that Mike Emrick has a "grudge" against the Flyers. Scoop Cooper could address it better than I can, because Doc is one of Scoop's closest friends, but I have talked to Emrick enough times to be able to say that this is 100 percent false.

Emrick holds the organization in high regard, even though no one likes to lose his job. But even if he didn't, he's an absolute pro who is pure class. Any personal feelings are left out of his professional work.

When Emrick learned he was being replaced by Jim Jackson, do you know what Doc did? He took JJ out to lunch and passed along as much advice as he possibly could about the particulars of broadcasting hockey in the Philly market. He didn't have to do that, but that's the kind of person Mike Emrick is.

It should also be said, although Emrick himself wouldn't want it to be said, that Doc is the #1 reason that Mark Howe finally got in the "big" HHOF in Toronto. It is Doc who nominates Fred Shero for the builders' category year after year.

If you don't enjoy his broadcasting style or think he has a good voice for play-by-play, that's your prerogative. I disagree, but that's a matter of opinion. But to say his work is influenced by some sort of bias, is 100 percent false.
- bmeltzer

Hockey play by play has got to be the hardest of the play by play of the 4 major sports. I have no problem with Emerick. He seems like a classy guy even before reading the stuff about Howe etc.

Edzo on the other hand....

For me nobody did it better than Mr. Gene Hart.

So are you, do I need to call you to my house for some phantom cable repair and drive you mad
- flyers4487

Hell it was an entertaining game. There were plenty of shenanigans by both sides and the stuff at the end, with Lava going nuts and Hartnell doing the Hulkamania ear cup had me laughing harder than I did at Titanic.

What drives me nuts is the whole, well your team is dirty because of this and my team never would do blah, blah, (frank)ing blah.

It's a rivalry. There's going to be games that get nasty. Don't like that? Watch (frank)ing golf.

Wanted to comment on those saying in yesterday's thread that Mike Emrick has a "grudge" against the Flyers. Scoop Cooper could address it better than I can, because Doc is one of Scoop's closest friends, but I have talked to Emrick enough times to be able to say that this is 100 percent false.

Emrick holds the organization in high regard, even though no one likes to lose his job. But even if he didn't, he's an absolute pro who is pure class. Any personal feelings are left out of his professional work.

When Emrick learned he was being replaced by Jim Jackson, do you know what Doc did? He took JJ out to lunch and passed along as much advice as he possibly could about the particulars of broadcasting hockey in the Philly market. He didn't have to do that, but that's the kind of person Mike Emrick is.

It should also be said, although Emrick himself wouldn't want it to be said, that Doc is the #1 reason that Mark Howe finally got in the "big" HHOF in Toronto. It is Doc who nominates Fred Shero for the builders' category year after year.

If you don't enjoy his broadcasting style or think he has a good voice for play-by-play, that's your prerogative. I disagree, but that's a matter of opinion. But to say his work is influenced by some sort of bias, is 100 percent false.
- bmeltzer

Well said. The sad truth is that when the Pens play a nationally televised game they are going to get more attention regardless of who calls the game. It's what happens when the league is trying so hard to sell Crosby as this decades Gretzky.

Mostly making a point that Flyers fans on this board have labelled the Penguins players, organization, and fans as whiners and complainers. My point is simply that you are no better than us in this regard.
- Emperor Filonius

Ohhhh, thanks for clearing this up. I don't think anyone ever knew. Do you go to the Rangers, Boston, Habs, etc. boards to let them know too?

I try when I'm in here I'm not as civil when the trolls come to our blog.
- canadianpenfan

I try to stay here.

so if rinaldo blows up Crosby in garbage time w/ a legal check we're cool - right? good
- isaiah520

The thought of that sets my nether region a tinglin....

It was the cleanest dirty hit I have ever seen, we all know the intent was there... No one was hurt and its over, but call it like it is and move on...dont stand there and defend it.
- flyers4487

OK this is where I draw the line.

Now we have to decipher between clean, dirty. cheap and dirty clean?

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

Probably the best synopsis I've seen, FG. I actually think Lava may have made a (small) tactical error with his comments. They have clearly shown they are capable of handling the Pens this year...no need to give your playoff opponent any bulletin board material at this juncture.

I try when I'm in here I'm not as civil when the trolls come to our blog.
- canadianpenfan

Can't fault you on that, there's some... er, vocal Flyers fans who roam the other threads here

Wanted to comment on those saying in yesterday's thread that Mike Emrick has a "grudge" against the Flyers. Scoop Cooper could address it better than I can, because Doc is one of Scoop's closest friends, but I have talked to Emrick enough times to be able to say that this is 100 percent false.

Emrick holds the organization in high regard, even though no one likes to lose his job. But even if he didn't, he's an absolute pro who is pure class. Any personal feelings are left out of his professional work.

When Emrick learned he was being replaced by Jim Jackson, do you know what Doc did? He took JJ out to lunch and passed along as much advice as he possibly could about the particulars of broadcasting hockey in the Philly market. He didn't have to do that, but that's the kind of person Mike Emrick is.

It should also be said, although Emrick himself wouldn't want it to be said, that Doc is the #1 reason that Mark Howe finally got in the "big" HHOF in Toronto. It is Doc who nominates Fred Shero for the builders' category year after year.

If you don't enjoy his broadcasting style or think he has a good voice for play-by-play, that's your prerogative. I disagree, but that's a matter of opinion. But to say his work is influenced by some sort of bias, is 100 percent false.
- bmeltzer

My main issue with Emrick is who he is saddled with to do the games. I think he was a great PxP guy, may have lost a mile or two off his fastball, but he still is very capable and does a good job.

I don't like him with Edzo and Pierre. Not a fan of Edzo and I like Pierre with a guy like Gord Miller. I'd love to see Doc and Clement as a team for NBC

Hell it was an entertaining game. There were plenty of shenanigans by both sides and the stuff at the end, with Lava going nuts and Hartnell doing the Hulkamania ear cup had me laughing harder than I did at Titanic.

What drives me nuts is the whole, well your team is dirty because of this and my team never would do blah, blah, (frank)ing blah.

It's a rivalry. There's going to be games that get nasty. Don't like that? Watch (frank)ing golf.
- Jsaquella

I so want Hartnell to record a promo video now, talking about the 20,000 Hartnellmaniacs waiting at the Wells fargo Center. Somebody get the man a boa and some sunglasses!

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

I finally saw the replay of the Vitale-Grossman collison...and I really don't think there is any intent on Vitale's part there. He hasn't shown himself to be a dirty player in the time he's been up...granted, I'm biased. I do hope Grossman is OK.

If Bylsma is stupid enough to have Crosby out there in that situation in a game that's already decided, then he's absolutely fair game for a legal check.
- Emperor Filonius

Garbage time or not, makes no difference. I hope Lavy takes the bridle off of Rinaldo on Saturday. Makes me think of Stand by Me. "Chopper, sick balls."

What's not being shown much though is that Crosby prior to the cross check Schenn gave him was going at it pretty good with Schenn as the play was going up the ice after the hit post that wound up being a goal.

Yet editing makes it look as if Schenn wanted to kill Crosby the golden boy versus the big bad evil do'er Flyers.
- hockeylover

This. FTW. Schenn retaliated and got caught, but Crosby's hands are not clean.

Hell it was an entertaining game. There were plenty of shenanigans by both sides and the stuff at the end, with Lava going nuts and Hartnell doing the Hulkamania ear cup had me laughing harder than I did at Titanic.

What drives me nuts is the whole, well your team is dirty because of this and my team never would do blah, blah, (frank)ing blah.

It's a rivalry. There's going to be games that get nasty. Don't like that? Watch (frank)ing golf.
- Jsaquella

In my experience with pens fans, even the diehard ones (I have quite a few friends who are season ticket holders out there) have a hard time admitting their team plays dirty. Thats not to say they dont know their stuff, because they do... they just think they are "angels" while we are the "spawn of satin" when in reality both teams play the same hard noose in your face border line dirty hockey.

Come on man... The hit was clean, but unnecessary. It was just a matter of your coach trying to send a message and injuring one of our guys before the playoffs. Dirty and uncalled for. The whole game was dirty, from Crosbys and Malkins multiple slashed, to Schen's crosscheck (that somehoe knocked the strongest staker int he game over') to your coach running out a goon line...
- RooNosHockey

If you think Asham, Vitale, and Adams is a "goon line" you haven't been watching the game very long.

Wanted to comment on those saying in yesterday's thread that Mike Emrick has a "grudge" against the Flyers. Scoop Cooper could address it better than I can, because Doc is one of Scoop's closest friends, but I have talked to Emrick enough times to be able to say that this is 100 percent false.

Emrick holds the organization in high regard, even though no one likes to lose his job. But even if he didn't, he's an absolute pro who is pure class. Any personal feelings are left out of his professional work.

When Emrick learned he was being replaced by Jim Jackson, do you know what Doc did? He took JJ out to lunch and passed along as much advice as he possibly could about the particulars of broadcasting hockey in the Philly market. He didn't have to do that, but that's the kind of person Mike Emrick is.

It should also be said, although Emrick himself wouldn't want it to be said, that Doc is the #1 reason that Mark Howe finally got in the "big" HHOF in Toronto. It is Doc who nominates Fred Shero for the builders' category year after year.

If you don't enjoy his broadcasting style or think he has a good voice for play-by-play, that's your prerogative. I disagree, but that's a matter of opinion. But to say his work is influenced by some sort of bias, is 100 percent false.
- bmeltzer

Not much of a fan of Doc anymore, but there's no questioning his professionalism.

Any national broadcast featuring the Pens is going to have the coverage a little one-sided. It's expected, and honestly, doesn't bother me at all.

I finally saw the replay of the Vitale-Grossman collison...and I really don't think there is any intent on Vitale's part there. He hasn't shown himself to be a dirty player in the time he's been up...granted, I'm biased. I do hope Grossman is OK.
- Emperor Filonius

I don't feel Vitale is a dirty player, but on that play, I feel he was careless, and should have got dinged for a penalty. I'm not going to get into intent or anything like that. It wasn't something that stood out to me as Shanahan review worthy.

More concerned that Grossmann will be OK than Vitale remaining in the game.

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'm sorry, I thought the Penguins had 4 lines like every other hockey team? Who knew changes have to go from 1st to 4th like that...

Work on your argument a bit more.