Did Saturday’s Bruins/Pens debacle really happen? I kept hoping to wake up and find that it was all just a horrible dream. But alas, it was not.
That mess really did happen. I’m disgusted in both teams because they are better than that. They have really made me mad. Like flames on the side of my face mad.
These are undoubtable the best teams in the East and here they are playing bush league hockey like a bunch of thugs. ARRGGGGH it just makes me so angry.
Since their meeting in the playoffs last year, the Bruins and Penguins have created a rivalry whose intensity has reached nuclear levels this season. And Saturday was Chernobyl.
First you have Orpik’s hit on Eriksson. Then Thornton’s reaction to said hit. Then, just when you thought things couldn’t get worse, you have James Neal kneeing Brad Marchand in the head while he is down on the ice.
Orpik’s hit started the meltdown with his check on Eriksson. From the replays, the hit didn’t look exceptionally dirty (he might have left his feet a little) but it was a devastating blow to the Bruins as it knocked the Bs left winger out of the game with his 2nd concussion of the season.
Then Thornton sent things to a critical level when he retaliated and took Orpik down to the ice. Now I love Thornton…when he isn’t being a complete and utter moron. He is a player that brings a grittiness and physicality to the game that should be appreciated. But I CANNOT abide by his actions on Saturday.
It is embarassing for not only the Bruins, but also for Shawn Thornton, and it showed in his post game interview.
He looks as if he is about to burst into tears at any time. No doubt a suspension is coming for ST22 and when it does, he will take his punishment like a big boy and hopefully put this entire debacle behind him.
And then we have James Neal. Oh James, I thought you were better than that. Pants thought you were better than that. She is wicked mad at you right now and you are going to have to work hard to get back in her good graces.
Also – you’ve been Shannaband. Five games to sit in the corner in time-out to think about what you’ve done.
What we all need to do is take a deep collective breath and just calm the f*&^ down. Stop the madness, people!
It seems to me that we are precariously close to forgetting that this game is all about. Especially the men that have the honor and the privledge to play this sport. It is about using their emmence and awesome talent to compete with dignity and grace. It’s about sportsmanship.
Forgotten what that looks like? Let Patrice show you.
Bergeron helping get stretcher out to Orpik
The one good thing I took away from this game is that Bergeron is still a class act.
Bergeron give me hope for hockey humanity.
Last night’s Leafs/Bruins game had some questionable calls and non-calls (like Phaenuf on Miller) and Bergeron responds like a boss. Comes out of the box, scores the ENG. Shrugs. NBD.
THAT is how you respond. Hurt ’em where it hurts most – the scoreboard.
Completely agree here! That goal and Bergy’s reaction was amazing. And hitting them on the scoreboard is the RIGHT way to do it! Also, How was that Phaneuf hit NOT a penalty?!
I think its unbelievable that ultimately hockey is just a game. Maybe because I’m in sports medicine and around it all the time I’ve grown used to it and forget how intense it can be. But even when the Cup is involved, this is just a game. To intentionally target someone’s head (both Nealer and Thornton) is completely inexcusible in my mind. I’m a lot like Pants; all aboard the NealMobile! But I’m so mad at him right now. And to sit there and not own up to the fact that you effed up is completely classless (it pains me to say that).
That being said, I was also a bit of a Thornton fan. My first hockey game was a Pens/Bruins game from 2008. I was the giggling teenager at the glass watching warm ups and Shawn kept shooting pucks in my direction (I’d squeal out of terror and sheer excitement every time they hit the glass mind you) and he’d giggle. Those kinds of experiences are what make this game so great. I have a theory that typically the more violent the sport/player the nicer they are in real life. Hockey players are some of the nicest guys I’ve ever met and ever worked with. That in mind, I will never be a Thornton fan again. He can talk all he wants about “the Code”. But he did what he did; and I don’t see any way that his intent wasn’t to send Orpik to the hospital. Despite what he tells the media.
Just some of my thoughts, because I think my friends are getting sick of hearing about it. lol
We have a family friend that’s a referee for various levels in the Chicagoland area. We had a conversation during the Playoffs about all the borderline hits and blatant crosschecks that weren’t being called, and he was pissed. I don’t blame him. It was actually a lot like this: The rage level in youth sports is kind of getting out of control anyways. I can’t imagine what seeing things like this does.
Also, I was at the Chicago Wolves v. OKC Barons game on Saturday night. They brought in 4 or 5 local elementary school choirs to sing before the game, and the kids got to watch the game for free. Any time two guys started chirping after a play the kids started calling for a fight. Granted, a few fights did break out, but multiple times a period you could hear these kids yelling “Fight! Fight! Fight!” I took my 8 year old cousin, and can’t decide whether or not it was a good thing that he was more interested in Sour Patch Kids and cotton candy than the game…
Ya, this is the link that was supposed to go with that: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/vent-nhl-fan-sick-indefensible-232436189–nhl.html;_ylt=A2KJ3CbkP6ZSvBEAmWVNbK5_
Anyone who knows me can affirm that I am adamantly not a fan of either team, but that game still left me feeling sick. Neal’s actions were petulant and unnecessary, while Thornton’s were borderline criminal. Those players reactions actions as shown in post game interviews shows the truth of their character, though. I’m sure ST22 will continue to feel terrible for what he did to a man he calls a friend while he sits for what will undoubtedly be a LONG time…maybe he can give Nealer some pointers on humility and repentance, because I sadly think the his 5 game time out will be lost on him.
Bergy, however, continues to be a prince
Having been watching the game at a bar–which means I really wasn’t able to watch–I watched the videos and listened to commentary tonight on NBCSN.
As a Bruins fan, I like Shawn Thornton. His style of play does serve a purpose in today’s game, but that doesn’t mean I condone fighting or what he did. I’m surprised to find out that in all his years of professional hockey he isn’t a “repeat offender.”
Watching the replay of his punches to Orpik and seeing the moment Orpik loses consciousness, that was scary. I just can’t imagine–and hope I never find out–what it’s like to be punched (ever), but especially to the point of losing consciousness.
As for James Neal, I’m not a Penguins fan, but I like him and want him to do well. What he did flabbergasted me. Again, I was surprised to find out he *is* a repeat offender.
It was a bad game for both teams and it just makes me really nervous the next time they play–which looks like it’ll be the playoffs.
Thornton plays a tough game and will thrown down if needed, but he’s not a goon. I think that he prides himself on playing a clean, albeit physical game, which is why I think that he was so broken up about the situation in the post-game interview. It was a terrible, momentary lapse in judgment. I’m not excusing his behavior but I do think he is contrite.
Bergeron is such a class act. Always has been, and always will be, I’m sure! Thank God for him. Both as a player and a person.
Sadly, I also never thought I would ever see Thornton do anything like that! And I like Neal, but that knee, omg…And his comments after the game were just as bad…
I think these two teams momentarily forgot what the game is all about for sure. The reffing didn’t help. Between the non-calls and not being able to control anything going on around them, it’s awful. He’s hoping whenever they meet next it’s a TOTALLY different experience…
Seeing Bergeron pulling the stretcher over to Orpik brought a tear to my eyes! Watching this unfold live was gut-wrenching, but this little glimmer of chivalry reminded me how great both these teams can be. Here’s to a better match in the postseason!
Honestly, that game was diabolical, and Bergeron is my favourite player on the Bruins, because he’s one of the nicest guys around. I just wish that this whole thing didn’t happen. Both teams lost great players, and I wish this never happened.