I would love to see a league wide fan vote on the most hated team and player in the league right now. This series has absolutely made Pitt enemy #1 and Crosby the most hated player in the league. No doubt in my mind.
I would love to see a league wide fan vote on the most hated team and player in the league right now. This series has absolutely made Pitt enemy #1 and Crosby the most hated player in the league. No doubt in my mind. - Flyers2821
I hope Crosby keeps playing this way. His team is following him right out of the playoffs.
Here's the thing with Neal (btw kudos to the DefendingBigD blog for compiling all the clips). He does have a bit of a past history, although he's not ordinarily a dirty player.
Nevertheless, he has a one-game suspension (boarding during 2009-10 season) and a fine (this season for high sticking) that fall within the NHL's "repeat offender" window.
During the 2009-10 season, he also hospitalized Phoenix's Petr Prucha with a hit that was a borderline elbow on the follow-through. Colin Campbell let that one slide, rather inexplicably because it happened only a few weeks after Neal's suspension for boarding Columbus' Derek Dorsett.
If only we could time travel. If the pens want a street fight style hockey team, im sure clarke and the rest of the 74-75 squad would love to oblige them.
Here's the thing with Neal (btw kudos to the DefendingBigD blog for compiling all the clips). He does have a bit of a past history, although he's not ordinarily a dirty player.
Nevertheless, he has a one-game suspension (boarding during 2009-10 season) and a fine (this season for high sticking) that fall within the NHL's "repeat offender" window.
During the 2009-10 season, he also hospitalized Phoenix's Petr Prucha with a hit that was a borderline elbow on the follow-through. Colin Campbell let that one slide, rather inexplicably because it happened only a few weeks after Neal's suspension for boarding Columbus' Derek Dorsett. - bmeltzer
Neal's hit on Dorsett that drew suspension (note Peter Laviolette as studio analyst about one month before Flyers hired him to replace John Stevens).
I think the only 2 good things that came out of the series so far it the 3-0 lead, and the rest of the league and media is starting to see the Penguins for what they are. Lavi & Torts said it right before the playoffs, now the actions of the penguins are proving it. The most arogant and hypocritical team in the league. A bunch of self-entitled Prima-donna's. I hope Talbot was listening yesterday when Crosby said he doesn't like anyone on the Flyers...
This all started with Crosby, and his disrespectful play. The thing with the glove was just "bush league". It belongs in "Slap Shot".
So let your true colors shine through Pittsburgh. It wont be long until your the most despised franchise in hockey, and then the media will turn on you. Cheers to getting what you deserve.
Location: the jewelry is still out Joined: 01.16.2007
Apr 16 @ 9:52 AM ET
Here's the thing with Neal (btw kudos to the DefendingBigD blog for compiling all the clips). He does have a bit of a past history, although he's not ordinarily a dirty player.
Nevertheless, he has a one-game suspension (boarding during 2009-10 season) and a fine (this season for high sticking) that fall within the NHL's "repeat offender" window.
During the 2009-10 season, he also hospitalized Phoenix's Petr Prucha with a hit that was a borderline elbow on the follow-through. Colin Campbell let that one slide, rather inexplicably because it happened only a few weeks after Neal's suspension for boarding Columbus' Derek Dorsett. - bmeltzer
I have no faith that justice will be served by the league in this case.
But more alarming is that neither hit by Neal (on Couturier or Giroux) received a penalty? Were they missed by the refs, or deemed not worthy of a penalty? Was there any explanation given?
Here's the unpenalized Neal hit that hospitalized Prucha a few weeks later. Note that Coyotes bench at first has minimal reaction, thinking their teammate got hit cleanly and it was just an unfortunate result -- and then going nuts when they see the replay.
I think the only 2 good things that came out of the series so far it the 3-0 lead, and the rest of the league and media is starting to see the Penguins for what they are. Lavi & Torts said it right before the playoffs, now the actions of the penguins are proving it. The most arogant and hypocritical team in the league. A bunch of self-entitled Prima-donna's. I hope Talbot was listening yesterday when Crosby said he doesn't like anyone on the Flyers...
This all started with Crosby, and his disrespectful play. The thing with the glove was just "bush league". It belongs in "Slap Shot".
So let your true colors shine through Pittsburgh. It wont be long until your the most despised franchise in hockey, and then the media will turn on you. Cheers to getting what you deserve. - RooNosHockey
I have no faith that justice will be served by the league in this case.
But more alarming is that neither hit by Neal (on Couturier or Giroux) received a penalty? Were they missed by the refs, or deemed not worthy of a penalty? Was there any explanation given? - bradleyc4
Since the Flyers were ahead in the 3rd period, they aren't allowed to have a power play...you know, unless it's something egregious like shooting the puck over the glass.
Nevertheless, despite being a repeat offender under NHL rules, it's unlikely Neal will be suspended.
1) Couturier appeared OK afterwards, as was Giroux (hopefully that continues to be the case in days to come)
2) Refs didn't call a penalty on either play (we've seen suspensions for plays that the refs let go, however)
3) The NHL is going to suspend two other Pens for incidents from this game; albeit one is an automatic suspension without a review or league decision to be made.
Here's the thing with Neal (btw kudos to the DefendingBigD blog for compiling all the clips). He does have a bit of a past history, although he's not ordinarily a dirty player.
Nevertheless, he has a one-game suspension (boarding during 2009-10 season) and a fine (this season for high sticking) that fall within the NHL's "repeat offender" window.
During the 2009-10 season, he also hospitalized Phoenix's Petr Prucha with a hit that was a borderline elbow on the follow-through. Colin Campbell let that one slide, rather inexplicably because it happened only a few weeks after Neal's suspension for boarding Columbus' Derek Dorsett. - bmeltzer
NHL doesnt have the stones to suspend him. He will receive a fine max. Things could get ugly again for Game 4 with Neal in the lineup.
Here's the unpenalized Neal hit that hospitalized Prucha a few weeks later. Note that Coyotes bench at first has minimal reaction, thinking their teammate got hit cleanly and it was just an unfortunate result -- and then going nuts when they see the replay.
Location: Be nice from now on, NJ Joined: 03.17.2006
Apr 16 @ 9:58 AM ET
Philadelphia PA. - NBC is scrambling to somehow replace the 50 hours of Crosby related programming they have in the vault for the entirety of the playoffs. Comcast president Brian Roberts has a team of 100 videographers following multiple NHL player in to bathrooms, shower stalls, and Pierre McGuires hotel room in an attempt to get enough footage to fill in all of the intermission, pregame, postgame, and commercial breaks that will soon be left without viable programming.
NBC, expecting the Penguins to Win the Stanley Cup after scores of experts picked them to win the coveted trophy, had prepared entire specials geared around promoting Crosby and how great he is at every aspect of life. They showed Crosby helping an old lady cross the street, Crosby performing CPR on a choking puppy, Crosby performing open heart surgery with a pocket knife and a bottle of Gin as anesthetic on a blind nun who had just been hit by a car driven by Scott Hartnell.
I have no faith that justice will be served by the league in this case.
But more alarming is that neither hit by Neal (on Couturier or Giroux) received a penalty? Were they missed by the refs, or deemed not worthy of a penalty? Was there any explanation given? - bradleyc4
Yea, I'll explain. The Penguins were down, and if they were going to mount a come-back they couldnt if they were on the penalty kill... As much as the penguins were at fault for their actions, the refs should have really done something to keep all that from happening.
Nevertheless, despite being a repeat offender under NHL rules, it's unlikely Neal will be suspended.
1) Couturier appeared OK afterwards, as was Giroux (hopefully that continues to be the case in days to come)
2) Refs didn't call a penalty on either play (we've seen suspensions for plays that the refs let go, however)
3) The NHL is going to suspend two other Pens for incidents from this game; albeit one is an automatic suspension without a review or league decision to be made. - bmeltzer
If I'm the Flyers, whether they are hurt or not, I make Giroux and Couturier and Schenn.. "Day-to-day". Now they might be hurt, and Neal might get what he deserves....
Yea, I'll explain. The Penguins were down, and if they were going to mount a come-back they couldnt if they were on the penalty kill... As much as the penguins were at fault for their actions, the refs should have really done something to keep all that from happening. - RooNosHockey
Location: the lone wolf of hockeybuzz Joined: 07.31.2009
Apr 16 @ 10:04 AM ET
Hey Bill, I recall you enjoyed the last Queen song a Flyers-Penguins game reminded me of. This one came on the radio yesterday, I thought it was appropriate:
NHL doesnt have the stones to suspend him. He will receive a fine max. Things could get ugly again for Game 4 with Neal in the lineup. - stveshdy
I dont think so. Penguins are going to try, but the Flyers have already shown they are the classier team. They haven't gone for revenge for anything... and put thier marks on the score-board. I think the Penguins are going to expect the Flyers to try and get revenge and they will come out and take some bad penalities in game 4, and the Flyers will sweep the series. At that point, Flyers will be playing to stay healthy, no need to get hurt to a team heading to the golf course.
Location: HEY. Does this pole still work?, NJ Joined: 01.14.2011
Apr 16 @ 10:06 AM ET
If I'm the Flyers, whether they are hurt or not, I make Giroux and Couturier and Schenn.. "Day-to-day". Now they might be hurt, and Neal might get what he deserves.... - RooNosHockey
Location: We're gonna skate to one song, and one song only. Joined: 12.15.2010
Apr 16 @ 10:06 AM ET
I think that for as much as you guys are all correct for doubting the NHL will come through on this, you're going to be pleasantly surprised.
Neal's track record and the blatant way he went about headhunting at speed is too much to ignore, and I think Shanny and crew know they have to do something, there's too many series turning into circuses right now. Weber's play was dirty, but I don't think there was enough malice or force behind it to seriiously injure zetterberg - at most he would have broken his nose. These two hits from Neal were attempts to concuss, no question about it and he should be gone.
If he stays, I think the next game will get too ugly, and if the flyers get a nice lead on the pens again, they'd be smart to bench their stars and let their capable grinders shut down the pens the rest of the way. You don't want to play into this nonsense any more than you have to.
I am rooting for this flyers squad only second to my Sens, I said this summer that what Holmgren did was the best 1-year rebuild any team has ever done, and now it's showing. No Pronger, subpar season from Bryz, and this team is still rocking, with the pieces brought in this summer in the Richards and Carter deals and FA signings playing a key part in all of this. Kudos to Holmgren for recognizing true value when he sees it.
Sens and Flyers fans have lots to be excited about, both teams way ahead of where people projected them (flyers obviously farther along), with most of the best players on each squad being young players or prospects. Thumbs up for bright futures!
