Paul Stewart: Thornton Went After the Wrong Guy

Paul Stewart: Thornton Went After the Wrong Guy
- Paul Stewart

Perfectly stated, Stewie.

Neal's definitely a very skilled player, but he's also definitely a guy that lacks respect for opposing players. He's got a history and there's no way that the knee to Marchand's head was unintentional.

Thornton's actions are definitely worthy of a suspension, but Neal's cheap shot should definitely receive attention.

Along with Zac Rinaldo's moronic attack on Roussel in Dallas, Brendan Shanahan should be a busy fella this week.

7-10 games?!he does a bertuzzi for a Loui and brad Marchand.....


Should be out for the year but I could settle for 25+

So bad for the rep of the league, things like this. He can't even score

Neal will get less games because it is less appealing for the media to play over and over again compared to the sucker punches on Orpik. Both are equally bad in my opinion but truthfully the discipline in this league is more about showing they are doing something about dirty plays than actually trying to keep players safe.

Neal will get less games because it is less appealing for the media to play over and over again compared to the sucker punches on Orpik. Both are equally bad in my opinion but truthfully the discipline in this league is more about showing they are doing something about dirty plays than actually trying to keep players safe.
- Greatlakeswimmer

Marchand is the cheapest player and orpik is a stand out dman. I hate the fact that people can't hit anymore in this league.

I don't see them at all the same. Both are bad but Marchand is long overdue and totally exaggerated...he will play next game I bet unless the term of suspension is pending

Marchand is the cheapest player and orpik is a stand out dman. I hate the fact that people can't hit anymore in this league.

I don't see them at all the same. Both are bad but Marchand is long overdue and totally exaggerated...he will play next game I bet unless the term of suspension is pending
- TJTD

I agree that its stupid that you can't lay a solid clean hit on someone anymore without having to back it up and fight afterwards.

I disagree that getting a knee in the head hard enough to spin you 180 degrees is exaggerated and I don't think anyone in the league show have their head hit because they are overdue for anything.

Once again, you nailed it Paul! Point by point, I agree completely with your assessment of the events that transpired in that game, and your discipline recommendation. While I'm not defending Thornton in any way, Orpick was the only one to face the wrath of a team watching its players go off from suspected dirty hits. While Orpik's hit was completely clean, he has made enough suspect hits and dirty play that made karma comeback to bite him. However, that being said, no sucker punch is justified!!! As for Neal, he IS one of the dirtiest, and cheap shot players in the league. The Pens overall are an extremely dirty team, right up to the Whiner in Cheif, Sidney Crosby. Again, I agree with your assessment completely, and the suspensions to come. Hopefully Pittsburgh sees this as a wake up call that sooner or later, you reap what you sow. It's just ashame that it was Thortons cheap reaction to orpiks clean hit, that brought Pittsburgh's dirty game to light. Loved the post, Paul!!

If Thornton had not mugged Orpik . Neal would have gotten the attention for that bogus knee to the head . Neal deserves at least 10 games . He won't get it as it is only a phone hearing . Thornton on the other hand is just beyond all reasoning with his actions. My bet is he gets 20 games . The Bruins will appeal and it will get knocked down to 10

I agree completely with your assessment of this situation, Stewy. Clear, concise, and conforming to both the rules and the Code.


Neal's knee to Marchand's head



Thornton's slew foot of Orpik

Paul Stewart: Thornton Went After the Wrong Guy
- Paul Stewart

Paul, In your day if a player such as Eriksson is hurt by a 'questionable' hit and that player ( Orpik, a physical player ) is confronted by an opponent ( Thornton ) to drop the gloves, doesn't Orpik in this case, stand up and drop the gloves with Thornton? I think yes, which in turns ends the issue right then and there, in your day. As for Neal I agree 100%, except with his history 3 games is not enough, 7 in my book, kneeing a defenseless player already down in the head, deliberately.

How is the Orpik hit clean? Loui didn't play the puck it bounced off the boards and went to the middle of the ice. If he touches sure bombs away but Orpik hit a guy who did not touch the puck. If he was playing the puck and not trying to kill the guy he would just kept the puck in. Obviously what Thornton did crossed the line and has no place but Orpik is no innocent victim here that he is being made out to be. He had a chance to fight and protect himself. He elected to hide behind the instigator and not fight Thornton than got a 2min penalty and later did something extremely stupid and classless.

Pittsburgh up to their old tricks... most hated team in the NHL!!!

Perfectly stated, Stewie.

Neal's definitely a very skilled player, but he's also definitely a guy that lacks respect for opposing players. He's got a history and there's no way that the knee to Marchand's head was unintentional.

Thornton's actions are definitely worthy of a suspension, but Neal's cheap shot should definitely receive attention.

Along with Zac Rinaldo's moronic attack on Roussel in Dallas, Brendan Shanahan should be a busy fella this week.
- Jsaquella

Roussel's a dirty POS too, but generally I agree.

If Thornton doesn't get at least 25 games, I'm going to pissed. To me, worse than Bertuzzi vs Moore (where Bert actually faced criminal charges). I see several inconsistencies in suspensions, and I don't care what a player's reputation or history is it how sorry they are. IMHO, Neil deserves at least 7. Merry Christmas to all of you, and here's to BUF getting the #1 nhl pick in 2014!

If Thornton doesn't get at least 25 games, I'm going to pissed. To me, worse than Bertuzzi vs Moore (where Bert actually faced criminal charges). I see several inconsistencies in suspensions, and I don't care what a player's reputation or history is it how sorry they are. IMHO, Neil deserves at least 7. Merry Christmas to all of you, and here's to BUF getting the #1 nhl pick in 2014!
- barnabyfan

Out of all the wishes in this post, only the bold part will come true. Or, Philly might race you to it.

Neal and Thornton should get right around the same number of games. I do not and never will understand the reasoning behind Neal getting fewer games even through it's well known he's a dirty player with a history and the knee to Marchand's head was intentional and could have been every bit as bad as Thornton on Orpik.

It makes no sense.

Good write up Stewie, spot on!!

Shawn did try to drop the gloves with Oprik early in the game but Orpik wouldn't go resulting in a roughing call. I don't condone what Shawn did but if Orpik had dropped them earlier and took a beating for laying that hit on Eriksson it would have never gotten to that point.

Neal's a POS is my opinion.

Hope these teams meet in the playoffs, love the bad blood.

Shawn did try to drop the gloves with Oprik early in the game but Orpik wouldn't go resulting in a roughing call. I don't condone what Shawn did but if Orpik had dropped them earlier and took a beating for laying that hit on Eriksson it would have never gotten to that point.

Neal's a POS is my opinion.

Hope these teams meet in the playoffs, love the bad blood.
- nikon2kool

The only problem with Orpik dropping the gloves is that he's a #1 pairing d-man and Thornton is a 4th liner. Also, the hit was clean as (contrary to another posters view) Louis did tip that puck.

That said, I'm all for Neal getting 10 games at least. That was an ugly play. Marchand is extremely lucky. Also, Thornton is a good guy who I respect a lot. He crossed the line and deserves at least 10 himself, but this is out of the norm for him. Kinda sucks that 3 good, respectable players will be missing time, while Neal will only be out 3-4 games.

If you think Thornton's play was worse than Bertuzzi's you are grossly misinformed. The two aren't even in the same ballpark.

Well said and fully agreed about Neal's hit. To me that was just as disgusting as Thorton's. While I agree Orpik's hit was perfectly acceptable and nobody should be sucker punched or while vulnerable. There are probably a few guys out there who weren't shedding tears for Brooks... Eric Cole's name springs to mind.

Once again, you nailed it Paul! Point by point, I agree completely with your assessment of the events that transpired in that game, and your discipline recommendation. While I'm not defending Thornton in any way, Orpick was the only one to face the wrath of a team watching its players go off from suspected dirty hits. While Orpik's hit was completely clean, he has made enough suspect hits and dirty play that made karma comeback to bite him. However, that being said, no sucker punch is justified!!! As for Neal, he IS one of the dirtiest, and cheap shot players in the league. The Pens overall are an extremely dirty team, right up to the Whiner in Cheif, Sidney Crosby. Again, I agree with your assessment completely, and the suspensions to come. Hopefully Pittsburgh sees this as a wake up call that sooner or later, you reap what you sow. It's just ashame that it was Thortons cheap reaction to orpiks clean hit, that brought Pittsburgh's dirty game to light. Loved the post, Paul!!
- Hokeeguy9

Take your Filthy Flyers colored glasses off. The Penguins are not a dirty team, even though players occasionally stray well beyond the line of decency. Neal's hit is bogus and must be dealt with. As a Pens fan, I love his shot, but cant stand players taking cheap shots. We hate when people take cheap runs at our stars, so we should also disapprove when one of our own loses his head and plays dirty. I find it funny that a Flyers fan wants to call out the Penguins for being dirty. Talk about pot calling the kettle black.... That organization bases its entire existence on dirty play and intimidation. The Neal hit was dirty and people have every right to criticize it. But you show your true colors as soon as you start bashing Sidney Crosby. Crosby is not dirty and is nowhere near a whiner. This from the fan base who constantly chants "Crosby Sucks" at every game. The Penguins as a team are not dirty and have shown they don't put up with consistent dirty play--see Matt Cooke.
And Brooks Orpik is NOT a dirty player. He hits clean, respects the game and his fellow players.

Take your Filthy Flyers colored glasses off. The Penguins are not a dirty team, even though players occasionally stray well beyond the line of decency. Neal's hit is bogus and must be dealt with. As a Pens fan, I love his shot, but cant stand players taking cheap shots. We hate when people take cheap runs at our stars, so we should also disapprove when one of our own loses his head and plays dirty. I find it funny that a Flyers fan wants to call out the Penguins for being dirty. Talk about pot calling the kettle black.... That organization bases its entire existence on dirty play and intimidation. The Neal hit was dirty and people have every right to criticize it. But you show your true colors as soon as you start bashing Sidney Crosby. Crosby is not dirty and is nowhere near a whiner. This from the fan base who constantly chants "Crosby Sucks" at every game. The Penguins as a team are not dirty and have shown they don't put up with consistent dirty play--see Matt Cooke.
And Brooks Orpik is NOT a dirty player. He hits clean, respects the game and his fellow players.
- Amanion

Better late than never eh?

Pittsburgh up to their old tricks... most hated team in the NHL!!!
- jimmc7722

I disagree.

Well said and bad for the league. Torres got 25 Thorton should get 15 first time but worse. Actually the game was boring including the chicken crap stuff, I was there they were lucky to win