Thrashers, Bogey Take Hit In Pittsburgh
Atlanta’s 6-game winning streak came to an ugly end in Pittsburgh as the Thrashers lost 6-2 to the Penguins. It was the first time since losing 5-1 to New Jersey back on February 6 that Atlanta simply had it’s butt handed to them on a platter. As for the game itself, the Thrashers just got beat by a very hot Penguin’s team that outplayed them. Period.
With the loss, the Thrashers will finish the season Oh-fer-Pennsylvania…having dropped all four games played against Philadelphia as well as the four versus Pittsburgh.
However, the loss…or losses… that concerns me most is that of star rookie defender Zach Bogosian, who left the game shortly after the Penguins’ Matt Cooke went knee-first into Bogey, and Boris Valabik who left holding his left shoulder after a multi-player scrum behind Pittsburgh’s net. The official team report on Zach is that he suffered a “lower body injury”. Like you, I can only hope that these minor and…in Bogey’s case… isn’t a re-aggravation of the broken bone that was suffered last October. I’m sure we’ll learn more about it later.
Was the hit against Bogosian inflicted by Cooke with the intent to injure? Well, you all can hack that out if you wish. As for me, it certainly looked that way. Now…I’m I viewing that through blue-tinted glasses? Am I just being sensitive to the fact that Bogey may have been seriously hurt again?
Or is it the history Atlanta has had regarding hits from the Pens of late?
Cases in point…
Shorty after the All-Star break last season, in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jarkku Ruutu took a run at the Thrashers’ Ilya Kovalchuk along the boards. Even though Ilya was able to duck out of the way to avoid the high elbow…Ruutu struck Kovy knee-to-knee. To me, and many others, the intent was to injure Atlanta’s star scorer…and it succeeded, putting Kovalchuk on the bench for a few games.
The NHL took no action against Ruutu.
Last December 18th, the Penguin’s Sidney Crosby was the third man into a fight involving Boris Valabik. While the Thrashers’ defender was bent over, being held by his Penguin combatant, Crosby took multiple swings at the back of his head and then his groin in less-than-classy display.
There was no disciplinary action taken against Crosby for either being the third man into a fight or the punches being thrown in such a manner. He is, after all, the league’s poster-child for post-lockout recovery….thus, the Chosen One is untouchable.
And while we’re on the subject of Crosby…you know, just once I’d like to see Cindy go to the box after being called for a minor penalty without cryin’ and slobberin’ like a spoiled rotted 5-year old girl who just got told that she wasn’t getting a pony for Christmas. Just once.
Valabik thought there was more to the hit on Bogosian than a simple tripping call. “I just don’t understand how that is tripping,” Valabik said. “He’s an 18-year-old future superstar, and if people are calling to protect superstars in this league, that was a knee in my book and anybody’s book. The question to me: Is that the same trip as if you trip somebody that slips on your stick”?
“Make your own opinion. I don’t know. I saw what happened just like you guys.”
Anyway…for some odd reason, when it comes to hits on Thrashers by Penguins, the league has a habit of simply looking the other way.
But, moving forward…regardless of whether or not you might feel the hit on Bogosian was nasty or not, the Thrashers’ locker room is starting to resemble a M*A*S*H unit. Last week, Kovy went down with a “lower body” injury and has missed the better part of four games now. Slater took an elbow to the head in Buffalo last weekend and then Ron Hainsey missed his first game of the season after being hurt in Monday’s 5-1 win against the Caps. Now… Bogosian and Boris.
Good Lord…the way things are going, Friday night’s game in Philips could look more like the Detroit Red Wings vs. the Chicago Wolves.
Not To Be Overlooked Though…
Lost in Tuesday’s mess was the fact that Bryan Little scored his 30th goal of the season. It came with just 34 seconds ticked off in the game and gave Atlanta an early lead. Todd White assisted on Little’s goal giving him 63 overall points on the season. Prior to this year, White’s highest point total was 60 while playing for Ottawa in 2002-03.
Marty The Magnificent
New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur notched career win number 552 wto pass the great Patrick Roy as the NHL’s all-time winningest goalie. Brodeur made 30 saves in the Devils’ 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Marty set the mark in his 987th career game…Roy’s 551 came in 1,029 starts.
After the game, Brodeur took a pair of scissors and cut the nets off the pipes to take home with him.
What’s next for Brodeur? Well, he’s only three shy of the all-time shutout record and 600 wins is only 48 away… that’s but one average season for him. So, keep your scissors close at hand, Marty.
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109 comments Add your comment
Dwayne Johnson
March 18th, 2009
7:43 am
Although I hated the streak to end, i’m glad teams in the lower tier of the standings got some points. I’d still love to see Tavares in Thrasher Blue. Remember, alot of people feel no “superstars” will sign with Atlanta, ASG won’t spend the money for UFA’s and Atlanta needs to build thru the draft. Well, Tavares is the real deal. No doubt about it.
Mark Toth
March 18th, 2009
8:42 am
What kind of respectable journalist resorts to name calling? Cindy? All of you losers that bash Crosby would change your tune if he were on your team. He is the team captian, but everyone wants him to keep his mouth shut. Funny… I thought the captian was supposed to cry to the refs. Every other teams captian does it, including Atlanta’s.
Rawhide
March 18th, 2009
8:55 am
Mark Toth – As the header above indicates…this is a “Fan’s Perspective” of the Thrashers. Hence, I am not a journalist…respectable or no. I provide my “perspective” of the team as a “fan”.
Nothing more…nothing less.
As for Crosby…he is indeed one of the most talented and gifted players to perform in this league as you can find. No arguments there. But…in my perspective…he knows he is the league’s golden child and is quite the cry-baby. Again, just my “perspective” as a “fan”.
Thanks for chimin’ in though…
Dwayne Johnson
March 18th, 2009
8:57 am
CINDY CROTCHBY….CINDY CROTCHBY…..CINDY CROTCHBY.
If any player in the NHL, Thrasher or not, hit a man in the go-nads while he is being held down by another player, should be suspended. Everyone knows he is a good player, everyone knows everyone whines, just like everyone else does. But preferred treatment is why I stopped watching the NBA. Certain players get “special” treatment. If Kovy busted a man in the groin, he should be suspended.
Russian
March 18th, 2009
8:59 am
I was sure for 90% that we lost the game in Pittsburg. I am not mad. It should be happend, because:
1. we played two game in the row.
2. We won game against Ovechkin.
3. We won 6 games in the row.
4. We were tired.
5. Pittsburgh played much better.
6. Moose is not a Kari
Also I realize that Sterling should sit in Chikago and not move his butt to NHL. I was not happy that they called him to Atlanta. He did absolutely nothing all 3 games. I feel sorry for him, but he should be out.
kracker
March 18th, 2009
9:18 am
I’m proud the guys set a new winning streak standard! It gives them a new goal for next season…or maybe the remainder of this one.
I saw the youtube clip finally. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Opu27qvhFA
It’s pretty clear in the slow motion frames from behind Cooke. Do you need to stick your knee way out to make a shoulder hit? Cooke clearly skated right to Bogosian, turned his left leg with the knee out right into Bogo’s leg and knee. Was Cooke just turning?…it looked quite deliberate to me.
ranallo10 (in AT)
March 18th, 2009
9:24 am
Mark Toth — Rawhide went about remarking about his role in this blog. Clearly you’re a Pittsburgh fan, so I understand why you wouldn’t understand RH’s role as an AJC blogger.
However, regarding your comments on the role of a “Captain”. There’s a difference between whining, complaining, and discussing questionable calls.
Whining is done emotionally, as if the player or team has been wronged by each and every call against. This is something Crosby does on a daily basis, and is something Gretzky did too.
Complaining is done by every player in the league, and is typically when the individual feels they truly did not commit the infraction for which they’re being assessed a penalty. Coaches complain too.
Discussions are what many captains do with referees, often done in a argumentative but controlled manner. Look at Lidstrom or Drury as an example of a captain that approaches the referees with their emotions in check.
There is a spectrum that can be seen for how players and captains approach referees. With that spectrum in mind, you should understand where the complaints about Crosby come from.
My final point is this…there is a reason that NHL players, when polled, identified Crosby as being the biggest complainer in the NHL. If every captain did it, including Kovalchuk, I doubt the players would hone in on Crosby being a whiner in a vast conspiracy to complain about a great player.
However, you’re right…if he were on this team people wouldn’t be complaining, but instead our opponents would. It wouldn’t matter what team he was on, he would still be a whiner, and people would still complain about his whining.
Stan Drulia
March 18th, 2009
9:27 am
Wow.. Mark Toth really nailed you there Rawhide. I guess the Pittsburg message boards aren’t entertaining enough for him so he has to scour other cities boards to start trouble. I mean, really can you blame him? What else is there to do in that city anyways? Loser. Crosby is amazing but that still doesn’t make him not a total b**ch. He is the NHLs biggest b**ch and that says a lot. The thing with Boris a few months ago looked like the little kid in the playground who really wants to fight someone but is really scared of getting hurt… so he waits til someone else has him tied up and then jumps in…. pitiful.
Glovesave29
March 18th, 2009
9:31 am
Mike, gotta look at things objectively, not as a fan. He cries and whines…a lot, that cannot be denied. I’ve sat in the seats next to the Pens bench when they come here and have watched players such as LeClair, Odelein and Recchi call him a cry baby and to “shut the $%*^& up out there”.
Glovesave29
March 18th, 2009
9:33 am
Forgot this – “Cry to the ref”? No that NOT what a captain does, he SPEAKS with the ref. I’d lose respect for Kovy if he acted as Crosby does. I am not denying his talent, or the fact I’d love to have him on my team…if he grows up a bit.
Stevo
March 18th, 2009
9:34 am
I thought the hit on Bogosian was a cheap shot. I was also surprised that no one really took a run at Cooke later in the game. Bogosian was trying to stick up for himself, I just wish someone else on the team would have taken it upon themselves to make Cooke pay for injuring our best young player. Some penalties are worth taking….
Smoothie
March 18th, 2009
9:34 am
Rawhide et al, there is no doubt in my mind that the “hit” initiated by that flaming butt belch Matt Cooke was illegal, unnecessary and completely out of line with the spirit of physical play in the NHL. Whoever mentioned the instigator rule is right; in these cases where there is an apparent intent to injure or an example of sheer recklessness, the other team should be able to respond as needed. We shouldn’t need to wait an entire period to see if someone like Valabik is going to try to “even the score”. Toby Enstrom should be able to whack Cooke right upside the head right after Cooke completes his double toe-loop into Bogey’s knee. Perhaps then talent wastes like Matt Cooke will etiher stop doing this crap or disappear from the game.
If Bogey is hurt for more than a week, I will personally fly to Pittsburgh and hurt Cooke myself.
jason
March 18th, 2009
9:39 am
Perhaps Mark Toll forgot this:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?page=0809playersurvey
And specifically:
QUESTION 4: WHICH PLAYER COMPLAINS THE MOST ON THE ICE?
• TOP VOTE-GETTER: Sidney Crosby (52%)
A simple Google search will tell you what some fans think of Sidney Crosby on the ice (”cry baby” is the most often-used G-rated word); but at various times in his short career, Crosby has been accused of complaining too much to officials about calls or non-calls and embellishing fouls to draw penalties. It was a subject that was heightened during last season’s playoffs. Crosby has repeatedly denied being that kind of a player.
• OTHER MENTIONS: Chris Pronger (8%); Sean Avery (7%); Steve Ott (5%); Ryan Getzlaf (4%); Shane Doan (3%); Marc Savard, Darcy Tucker (2%); Todd Bertuzzi, Mike Richards, Kris Draper (1%); 8 players with one vote.
RS
March 18th, 2009
9:44 am
Come on Zach, you’re young and built like a brick sh*thouse. Don’t be hurt badly…..
Mr. Heat Miser
March 18th, 2009
9:49 am
The Refs are partly to blame.
Boulton takes a butt-end of a stick to the face. Bleeds. No call.
Cooke purposefully tries to injure Bogosian. Called for tripping. WTF?
Pens player skates through crease and bowls over Moose. No call.
Exelby shoves Malkin after the whistle, barely moves him and X gets called for roughing.
I now know why refs wear PENstripes.
Darius #11
March 18th, 2009
9:50 am
Smoothie… You’d crap your pants if Cooke came after you. You are such an internet tough guy. Look at the hit. Cooke hit him with his shoulder.
You want cheap?? That bum Exelby driving Fedetenko face first into the goal post. He was cheap shotting all night long. Enjoy NASCAR..That’s all you rednecks have.
Russian
March 18th, 2009
10:03 am
Wow! We got some personal ISSUES between two Birds (Pinguines and Thrashers) Why could be a FRIENDS? Best Commercial in Phillips Arena. Smile BOYS!
ranallo10 (in AT)
March 18th, 2009
10:12 am
“Look at the hit. Cooke hit him with his shoulder.”
Look at it again…I don’t believe Cooke’s shoulder is what actually hit Bogosian’s knee. Or was it?
I have no idea if his intent was to knee Bogosian (I only saw the replay, three times), but my assumption is that he had a knee-to-knee hit in which his intent was to lay out a player who had played the puck. Cooke finished his check but unfortunately Bogosian’s knee was in the way.
I’m sure many of you wont like or agree with me for this opinion, but I see the “intent” as something that’s not easily proven, and not abundantly obvious in this situation. If you recall, I said the same thing about Ruutu’s injury inducing knee on Kovalchuk. I might be a Thrashers fan, but I’m not completely biased as to think every injury means someone is to blame due to intent. I say that knowing I’ll be disagreed with by many of you.
Regarding the complaint about Malkin clobbering Hedberg…I didn’t see anything wrong there either. He had a stick sweeping under his legs taking him down, and could not be expected to stop himself in such a situation. The first goal where he made contact with Hedberg he was shoved by Exelby. In both situations I don’t believe he was playing outside of the rules, and I would argue the correct call (or non-call) was made in both situations.
R. Stroz
March 18th, 2009
10:16 am
Well look, the Pittsburgh Pagina fans are back.
Go back to your basement apartments and whine to your mommies.
Mr. Heat Miser
March 18th, 2009
10:22 am
Stevo – know why no one took a run at Cooke later in the game? He sat most all of the 3rd period, only played one shift at the end.
Hiding behind Cindy’s skirt.
Alan
March 18th, 2009
10:23 am
Look at the hit. Cooke hit him with his shoulder.
Darius, it is amusing to me that you would refer to Rawhide as an internet tough guy, yet seem to engage in the same practices. Aside from that, however, it would be helpful if you saw the angle we saw on the Atlanta feed. Hopefully, that video gets posted. Bogosian was not a happy camper, and it’s not because it was a clean hit on open ice.
Smoothie
March 18th, 2009
10:31 am
Darius — I guess I’m just like you then in being an “internet tough guy” since you’re on our blog calling me out. I’ve never seen you on here so I can only assume you are a Pens fan. Cooke did not use his shoulder to hit Bogosian’s leg and he stuck his left knee out in an unnatural way making it obvious to anyone watching he was going after his legs. That coward took a run at him and when he knew he couldn’t “catch” him clean with the knee, he extended the elbow late to try to make it look above board.
And last time I checked, I’m the same size (exactly) as Matt Cooke and I reckon I could hold my own. On a surface other than ice. I’m no pushover nor am I an ignorant “redneck” as you suggest. But then again, I’d rather enjoy my redneck friends here in the south than put up with you overbearing, boorish, passive-aggressive pricks from the Northeast WHERE I’M ORIGINALLY FROM YOU DOUCHE.
Why am I picking a fight with this idiot? I guess I am really pissed about this aggravated assault committed by this poor excuse for a hockey player named Cooke. And perhaps I’m as equally pissed by the lack of physical response by our beloved Thrashers. Boris tried, but it was a major fail due to the way his fight ended. Thanks Boris for at least trying…I and many other fans appreciate your willingness to protect Zach’s honor.
NASCAR Dave
March 18th, 2009
10:52 am
This is why I wanted to trade MOOSE… He SUCKS!!!
Darius #11
March 18th, 2009
10:54 am
I’m calling you foolish and someone who doesn’t know hockey…but I’m not threatening you…or saying that I’m going to get on a plane and attack you like you said about Cooke. Pathetic.
LAC
March 18th, 2009
10:57 am
You know, I’d like to see Crotchby rammed neck first into the goal post,
watch him twich and squirm in TOTAL PAIN ! The carried off on a strecher and get a report the next day he will never walk again !
That would be EXCELLENT and the crybaby WOULD have something to cry about ! Then he could sit in the pressbox and all you could ever see is his STUPID Punk face !
Heis only a sightly above average player and the NHL should STOP promoting him as some GOD, when he is Nothing Happening Street Trash !
Darius #11
March 18th, 2009
10:59 am
No douche….he didn’t hit Bogosian’s knee with his shoulder..It was shoulder to shoulder. He hurt his knee… That sucks for him…What’s even more pathetic than your whining is your sissy boy trying to fight and hurting his shoulder when he tries to throw a punch. Move the Thrashers to Hamilton or Winnipeg. You clowns don’t deserve hockey.
Smoothie
March 18th, 2009
11:00 am
Hey Darius, do you take EVERYTHING you read on the internet literally? If so, you must jump to a lot of conclusions in your life. If you want, after I’m done with Cooke, I can rough you up a little bit too just like your daddy used to do to you. Now make like a hockey player and PUCK OFF!!
Russ
March 18th, 2009
11:05 am
Darius – I’m going to go out on a limb and say Smoothie was probably exaggerating when he said he was going to get on a plane and attack Cooke. You might be taking his statement a little too literally, genius.
Smoothie
March 18th, 2009
11:07 am
Lastly, the replay clearly shows that Cooke’s shoulder barely made contact with Bogosian’s arm let alone his shoulder. Darius my insolent, confused “friend”, you are sadly mistaken. Cooke deserves retribution and it will come to him in time…perhaps not by the Thrashers, but in a cruel, cosmic twist he will never see coming.
Darius #11
March 18th, 2009
11:07 am
For the clown who said Cooke didn’t play in the third…You’re crazy. He took a regular shift. He played 15:16. He averages 14:07…He played more than usual.
Don’t worry..The Braves should start soon.. Oh that’s right. They suck now too.
Darius #11
March 18th, 2009
11:17 am
Yes I’m sure next year Boris will try to avenge his friend….and his arm will fall off and go sliding across the ice.
I know that moron wasn’t going to jump on a plane and attack Cooke.. It is beyond stupid to even say something like that.
Hey LAC…If Crosby is he is Nothing Happening Street Trash…..then what are you? He’s the second leading scorer in the game…next to his teammate.
He’s overrated? You think the other players just let him score and pass at will? Stick to NASCAR.
The Joker
March 18th, 2009
11:21 am
Darius#11 – Skipping school again?
What do you get when you cross Cindy Crotchby with an ugly fat woman?
Nothing, even ugly fat women have standards.
Darius #11
March 18th, 2009
11:23 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Opu27qvhFA
Supes
March 18th, 2009
11:42 am
Darius, other than the STEELERS, your sorry a&& town of Pittsburgh is a place otherwise known in baseball fan circles as PURGATORY. Your CRAPPY Pirates hold the RECORD for futility…I guess they couldn’t HANDLE the Braves beating them up in the early 90’s!
Your under achieving PENS are just that. Oh, so close, and YET so far. YOU WILL NOT WIN another STANLEY CUP, your soft a&& PENS will CHOKE again.
Meanwhile, it’s clear that you have LOW SELF ESTEEM as a fan to come here and talk SH*T.
But by all means, continue you fat piece of garbage (saying that b/c Pitt and Philly are the 2 FATTEST cities in AMERICA, sorry but it’s a FACT). Sure is amusing!
jason
March 18th, 2009
11:47 am
Darius, seems like everyone was saying the same thing about the Penguins moving until the NHL rigged the lottery for them to get the “Chosen One.” Then, voila, everyone in that dump of a city cares about hockey again! Oh, let’s get a new arena built to save our beloved Penguins (that no one in the city cared about for years).
To quote a great thespian, “If you were going to give the United States an enema, you’d stick the hose right here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!”
NASCAR Dave
March 18th, 2009
11:49 am
DARIUS is just a wimp who is still crying about HOSSA leaving… LOL
jackie blue
March 18th, 2009
11:59 am
Not only is Crosby a big fat baby….I think Malkin is simply a better player than he is. I wouldn’t be surprised if Malkin becomes and premier player and Crosby is relegated to the Shake vs. Malkin’s Bake role.
Sara
March 18th, 2009
12:00 pm
What a moron. Of course Cooke played more than usual…someone had to do the headhunting. Let’s see…took a run at Bogosian….took a run at Enstrom (while he was being held by another Penguin…that seems to be a pattern)…took a run at Kozlov…that one was my favorite since the pansy ran straight to the bench afterwards…and played barely two minutes after that with well over half of a period left in the game…regular shifts my arse.
But that’s ok…the Pens will get what they deserve soon enough.
Ya know what’s truly pathetic though?? If Crosby is so great and wonderful…how come so many of you Pittsburgh douches have to spend so much time running around the internet defending him? Shouldn’t his play speak for itself….oh, I forgot, it does…it says “wah wah wah.” No wonder you love him so much…you seem to speak the same language.
Darius #11
March 18th, 2009
12:04 pm
Hey Redneck Dave…Have Momma read my post again.Where did I saw I’m upset about Hossa leaving? This team is as good or better without him.
You hicks bitch about Crosby all you want but you’d kiss his ass if he ever lost his mind and signed with Atlanta.
Yes, the NHL rigged the draft for Crosby… I also think Crosby was in the grassy knoll and shot JFK….and also buried Jimmy Hoffa…
“All you have are the Steelers.” You don’t have anything down there. Pitt hoops is a #1 seed.. Pens have the TWO top scorers in the league. Steelers have won 2 or the past 4 Super Bowls..
What do you asshats have?? UGA??? Michael Vick ??
Darius #11
March 18th, 2009
12:09 pm
Supes….
Our “soft-assed Pens beat the snot out of your EVEN SOFTER-assed Flashers….or Cadavers…Whatever they call those gutless wimps. You people call Crosby whiners….Read this thread…WAAAAA..Cooke is too mean…. WAAAAA…Crosby punched our player….WAAAA….Boris’ arm fell off….
Russian
March 18th, 2009
12:09 pm
Come on Guy!
Stop doing this. Everybody knows that Crosby is good player and Talented. Malkin got 100 points, he is good also. Nobody wants to kill in ice during hockey Game. Please Stop call each other as fool or redneck and etc. WE have to just play hockey better than everybody else and make respect for each teams and Refs on the NHL.
Alan
March 18th, 2009
12:09 pm
Hey Darius, try looking at this one instead. Start at about the 0:59 mark. The slow motion replay shows clearly a knee on knee incident involving your beloved Cooke.
To whomever uploaded this video, thanks. That should put the nail in the coffin of this stupid argument.
Alan
March 18th, 2009
12:13 pm
Now, this isn’t to say I believe it was intentional. I can’t judge the intent of the player on the ice. There are a plethora of explanations for why this happened. But you have to admit that the knee landed on Bogosian more than the shoulder did, by far.
Smoothie
March 18th, 2009
12:21 pm
Well said Sara! I feel ya Russian, but without Bogey we won’t be winning all that much. Thanks Alan, but this douche won’t want to deal with reality or facts (just another dumb internet troll). R
eplay can’t show intent, but how common is it for any player to skate that far with that much momentum deep into another team’s zone to “take on” a D-man who is bringing the puck out? Intent or not, if Valabik thought it was dirty, then chances are, most of our players thought so when it happened. Just don’t know why someone didn’t go after Cooke immediately. Obvs Toby isn’t going to do it, but was the Kahlua Line on the ice at the time?
John Anderson's POV
March 18th, 2009
12:33 pm
The Thrashers were miffed that rookie Zach Bogosian was knocked out of the game on a hit by Matt Cooke. Cooke was given a two-minute penalty for tripping on the play, but Atlanta wanted at least a major for kneeing.
“It was definitely knee-on-knee,” Thrashers coach John Anderson said. “The referee said if (Bogosian) was injured, (Cooke) would have gotten five minutes. He was injured — he just didn’t lay on the ice.”
That second-period incident stewed and likely led to a melee with 4:16 to play in which 44 penalty minutes were assessed and Boris Valabik sustained an unspecified injury in a fight with Eric Godard.
“To me (Bogosian) is an 18 year-old future superstar, and if people are going to protect superstars in this league then that was a knee in my book and in anyone’s book,” Valabik said. “I think you can’t hurt anybody with a trip, and that (hit) you could hurt somebody with.”
Alan
March 18th, 2009
12:42 pm
Smoothie, I’m merely trying to take a fair approach to this. I will say it was a very unnecessary hit. Bogosian had already been taken care of, having been stripped of the puck seconds earlier in the play. Cooke’s involvement here was not necessary.
One thing I do wonder, at this point, is if Anderson has filed a complaint with the league about it. Again, for objectivity, I am not insinuating this was a dirty hit or a dirty play on Cooke’s part. But the facts are the facts. Bogosian did leave the ice and didn’t return last night. Cooke might have been hurt on the play, too, even though it looks more like he got benched after trying to take a run at Kozlov.
Bogosian’s injury is “lower body,” so we know it wasn’t a “clean shoulder on shoulder” hit, like stated by some folks wearing gold tinted glasses.
DWTOO
March 18th, 2009
12:45 pm
To all the regular bloggers – ignore Darius and he will eventually go away. Perhaps you can remember there was a troll on this blog a couple of years ago drawing everyone into a post war. At the end of the day he admitted to be a bored kid skipping school trying to get a rise out of everyone. Let’s keep on topic. I will only respond to one thing the person said – be careful talking about Atlanta losing our team. It was not long ago the Pens were virtually bankrupt, playing poor hockey, and talk was about the team moving to KC. So Darius should tread lightly there.
Think Ranallo has it right – intent is very hard to gauge. Especially when events happen so quickly. Only one person knows for sure – the rest of us can speculate and debate. As Glovesave knows when people move quickly on the ice things happen and look ugly without intent. Know this happens as a couple of guys wanted to beat me for a high stick when all I was doing was skating thru them. If they weren’t such butheads about it I probably would have apologized.
And Smoothie – I’m also from the NE and wouldn’t move back on a dare.
Smoothie
March 18th, 2009
1:13 pm
Alan, I wasn’t trying to argue with your points. I appreciate your normally balanced and unbiased opinions on this blog. I’ve never tried to hide my “fandom” and passion for the Thrashers. If I didn’t have any passion for one team, I wouldn’t bother posting as much as I do. Well that, and then there’s the boredom at work.
Anyway, I was simply making a counter-point to the overall argument that would illustrate how unusual of a play it truly was. These sort of plays do not happen all that often that deep in the defensive zone in open ice when the player is already being “dogged” or checked (see Sykora). Neutral zone yes, but defensive zone in this case is odd. To me, the way Cooke was playing leading up to this hit combined with the unusual nature of the hit smacks of full-on intent to injure or at minimum “rattle the rookie’s cage.”
DWTOO — word to your motha! No one could pay me to move back to NY!
Alan
March 18th, 2009
1:28 pm
According to Blueland Blog, Kovalchuk, Bogosian, and Hainsey (all listed as ‘probable’) are expected to practice tomorrow. Valabik (questionable) may or may not practice tomorrow, and Slater (will not play) won’t practice tomorrow.
Spud Webb
March 18th, 2009
1:41 pm
I love it! So a guy from a town that was sooooooooo close to losing the hockey team is talking smack about us & “we don’t deserve a team”? Two cups in the 90’s and you STILL ALMOST let that team get away up there???? ahhahhaha, NICE. I swear if Betman wasn’t sleeping with Mario that ole Sidney wouldnt have ended up in Pittsburgh & saved the team in Pittsburgh?? You got some rocks, or ignorance. But what can you do??? Betman is happy that hockey is still in the “burgh” and Crosby is happy to have his pacifier each night. Bottom line is this, the NHL wants the Penguins in the playoffs, watch them play, call after call. I’m ok with it, have been for years. Mario got it when he played and so is Sid. There is nothing we can do about. Good for him (Sidney), I personally love watching Ovy EAT HIS LUNCH and basically tell Sid to man up, and of course Sid can’t!!! B E A UTIFUL!!!! Not sure if the hit was intended or not, but Cooke should’ve been run by somebody.
Good news Darius, baseball is starting in the rest of the country, ahhahahha, but NOT IN THE “burgh”. You guys SUCK. ahhahahha
ThrasherTim
March 18th, 2009
1:47 pm
Here’s an interesting stat:
Overall record: 29-36-6
Vs. Flyers/Penguins/Bruins: 0-12-0
Rest of NHL: 29-24-6
Wow.
Rawhide
March 18th, 2009
1:58 pm
ThrasherTim – Very good…I had remembered the record vs. Phily and Pittsburgh but had forgotten about the Oh-fer-four against the Bruins.
ranallo10 (in AT)
March 18th, 2009
2:15 pm
I’m just curious why this whole argument couldn’t have been made without referring to how much one person’s city sucks more than the others…
Regardless of what we (Atlanta fans) or they (Pittsburgh fans) think about the hit, there is one obvious result…Zach Bogosian, the future stalwart defender for the Thrashers, was injured by the hit due to a knee on knee collision.
So, those that wanted the team to stink for a chance at getting Tavares (the next Crosby/Malkin/Ovechkin according to most hockey analysts) have a good reason to be “excited” about the next few games. The Thrashers will be without Kovalchuk (due to injury), Bogosian (due to injury), and Hainsey. Instead of three big pieces towards the team’s future playing, developing chemistry, improving skills, etc…those players will be sitting and Atlanta will rely on others in their place.
So, we might see Lewis, Lehman or possibly Kulda playing defense for a few games (though, aren’t the Thrashers perilously close to the maximum amount of minor league transfers allowed?). We will definitely see more of Sterling and Machacek at the NHL level, depending on the urgency to rush Kovalchuk or Slater back (which in my opinion is NOT urgent, and they shouldn’t be back until they are 100%).
So those wishing for a worse end to the season than the last 7 games have provided, you might be in luck. To those wishing to see young talent get their shot at the NHL level, you might be in luck too. To those wishing to see the remainder of this season end on a high note, your luck might be running thin.
Let’s all hope Bogosian’s injury is minor, and let’s hope that serious injuries avoid the team for the remainder of the season…there is only so much a fanbase can deal with.
Alan
March 18th, 2009
2:23 pm
ranallo, I believe the Thrashers have only one more transfer allowed, unless it’s an emergency call-up. As per the CBA, an emergency call-up can only occur if the roster falls below 18 healthy skaters and two healthy goalies.
ranallo10 (in AT)
March 18th, 2009
2:35 pm
Watching the replay of Valabik-Godard fight, I think Godard may have gotten him in the arm pit with their simultaneous punches, but I can’t really tell. Weird punch…but it ended up with Valabik seeming to throw out is arm in the melee.
Here is the link…you can see the punch in slow motion near the end of the clip. The announcers guessed they punched fists, maybe they’re right.
Tom
March 18th, 2009
3:13 pm
The way to get to Darius is simple.
We know we are a second rate city right now, bad owners and a bad GM in a new market.
Pittsburgh is supposed to be a mature market, but they almost left for Kansas City. But that is not the kicker. The thing that proves Pittsburgh is second rate is:
Marian Hossa.
He left you guys and more money for Detroit. And that is why Pittsburgh is second rate. He brought you close to the promise land, but knew in his heart that he would never get their with Crosby, Malkin, and the rest of the Penguin organization. He left you guys for a winner.
Glovesave29
March 18th, 2009
3:19 pm
Spud…stole my thunder. Funny how this Pens fan forgets how close they were to losing the team just a few scant years ago.
Figure it out…look who this guy is a fan of…Darius Kasparaitus. Quite possibly the most cowardly player to wear an NHL uniform (after Patrik Stefan, that is). He was alway getting into fights…with guys half his size. When a bigger player challenged him, the ran away like a little baby behind his teams’ enforcer. He never saw a spear he didn’t like, or a cheap shot he wouldn’t take…a la our new “friend” here.
Dwayne Johnson
March 18th, 2009
3:25 pm
having darius make some comments have added some spice to this blog.
thank you darius.
Dwayne Johnson
March 18th, 2009
3:37 pm
d elliot said blysma played the way cooke does…..mmmmmmmm. i never seen blysma play, but i take the comment as blysma was dirty. the intent to hurt was there, everyone saw it. what’s sad is the NHL allows Pitts burgh to treat Atl. that way.
Rawhide
March 18th, 2009
3:54 pm
Per Mike Knobler: Kovy, Bogey and Hainsey are all probable for Friday night…Boris is questionable…Slater is out.
That’s 3 bits of good news, one maybe and one un-good. Given what went down in the last week or so regarding injuries, it’s welcome news.
LAC
March 18th, 2009
4:17 pm
Hey darius DumbA$$, stick it punk ! Oh, yes Iam a business owner, how many companies do YOU own ? Only playing monoply !
Crotchby is a snot nosed little punk period. It has gone to his head, I cannot wait to see him get it handed to him.
So shut THE FU-K UP about us having an NHL team, also not so long ago
Rustburgh had a team that stunk !!!! Hell you had to have your owners threaten to move to Kansas City and play in the Brand New Sprint Center,
to keep the team, what a JOKE there !
I’ve been to Rustsburgh and talk about a place NOT to live, people rude & nasty and the city, will it’s awful !
So go enjoy a polluted river race, and oh yes…. Is there NOT a nascar race at Pocono every year ?
N/A
March 18th, 2009
4:31 pm
Yay! I hope Bogey, Kovy, Boris, and Hainsey are all healthy for Friday’s game. I’m going with my family and I have AWESOME seats. Plus my dad’s a big Redwing’s fan and it would be nice to tease him about his team losing to the Thrashers (my mom never let him forget that they lost to Toronto in their home opener in October). Oh and to adress Darius, like nearly 85% of the people who post here are saying intention is IMPOSSIBLE to tell from watching on TV. Even TV analysts aren’t 100% sure. The fact of the matter is unless the guy has a bright neon pink sign attached to him saying LOOK OUT I’M GONNA HURT THIS GUY then there’s no way to tell. I personally think it was a dirty hit and the look of frustration on Bogey’s face made me feel for the guy, it has to suck reinjuring a recently healed wound. Oh and please if you want to go talk about how awesome Crosby is go to a Pittsburgh fansite.
Thanks
NASCAR Dave
March 18th, 2009
4:34 pm
Hey Darius, come on down to Atlanta and meet me… I’ll let you know the differnece between a “clean” and a “dirty” hit. And yes, I am serious.
Pucks 'N' Darius
March 18th, 2009
4:44 pm
Hey Darius, I guess that really sucks that WE have Esposito, and YOU don’t. You’re probably still crying in your apple juice about that one, huh? And Maryann Hossa left you guys because he knew you didn’t have a shot at the Cup like the Wings do. Oh, and thanks for Armstrong and that 1st Round Pick, what do you have to show for that trade today? Looking forward to your answers.
Nikita
March 18th, 2009
4:59 pm
Heh. I love Darius Kasparaitis. Though there’s no question he’s where he should be, rotting in a lower league.
Malkin is far more talented than Crosby, and about eight times as mature.
And on the whole Atlanta vs. Pittsburgh thing…Atlanta is unlikely to lose its franchise for many reasons, but the most important one is that Atlanta is actually the appropriate size for a franchise. Pittsburgh is not, and will always be under pressure to succeed/invest relatively large amounts of money to keep fans from decamping to one of the other teams in that region.
Sara
March 18th, 2009
5:10 pm
DWTOO, while I semi-sorta agree you can’t know intent from watching replay, the fact that Cooke went after Enstrom and Kozlov as well I think really tells the whole story.
There’s been a bunch of internet chatter about this from last night and so many people think ATL is over-reacting. Except they only see the Cooke-Bogosian hit, not Cooke on Enstrom, Cooke on Kozlov, Boulton taking the stick in the face…much less what’s happened in past games.
But like I said…the Pens will feel the wrath of the hockey gods…and it’s probably gonna be real painful.
Masha7Player
March 18th, 2009
5:26 pm
Pittsburgh may have the better hockey team, but we have the better city for everything else. Pittsburgh and all of its in-breds should be wiped off the face of the earth. I can’t believe I would ever say this, but even Boston and New York fans have more class than Pittsburgh fans. Then again, those are both cities that actually have a culture and some half-way intelligent folks that make a difference in the world..unlike those morons in “the Burgh” or whatever the hell that place is, that are sucking up our valuable air.
Thrasherfan
March 18th, 2009
5:45 pm
After reading today’s blogs…I am highsticking Darius…get back in the crib and suck on your baby bottle. Having watched the NHL for 50 years, having lived in 5 different NHL cities…trust me…Sid is talented…but not even the best played on the Penguins…and certainly not deserving to be the poster child of the NHL. As for the Penguins…what do you expect when the Captain is a crybaby. His lack of emotional maturity is evident in virtually every game. If he was doing his job…incidents like the cheap shot by Cooke on Bogosian last night would be policed in the Pens locker room…a class team would put an end to those shenanigans. I’ve been to dozens of game in the Igloo…the worst NHL facility in the country…with some of the least informed fans about the sport. Finally…your remarks about rednecks and NASCAR are pure ignorance. Stick them with your “Terrible Towels”…
LAC
March 18th, 2009
5:53 pm
Right On ThrasherFan !!!!!!!!!
Darius #11
March 18th, 2009
6:13 pm
You people are truly sad. Yes Mellon Arena is a dump. That is why we are getting a new arena after next season.
LAC…PImping out your old lady in the back seat of your ‘87 Cutlass doesn’t make you a business owner. Sorry to burst your bubble.
Is Crosby the best player on his team? Maybe not. That shows how strong this team is. He would BY FAR be the best on your team though.
You can have Esposito.. and Colby. Nice guy but he’s a third liner. Hossa helped us get to the Finals…You know. Stanley Cup Finals. Watch Youtube….It’lll explain about the playoffs.
For the genius who said about NASCAR and the Poconos…That’s not even around here…and we laugh at the asshats who go to those races.
NASCAR DAVE…BRING IT!!!! I’LL GIVE YOU THE COOKE BEATDOWN OF YOUR LIFE!!!!!
Darius #11
March 18th, 2009
6:16 pm
hahahaha….Bettman is asking to review the melee..You mean where your tough guy threw a punch and then cried like a little girl? Nascar Dork, did you teach him to fight??
BTW, Crosby didn’t high stick Enstrom either. He gave him a glove to the face..Stay away from the swamp juice people…Makes you see things that aren’t there…
Glovesave29
March 18th, 2009
6:33 pm
Darius…you’re defending THIS punk?
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wqR17KrLKw)
YOU are the one who is wearing blinders.
Darius #11
March 18th, 2009
7:05 pm
Hey a$$munch,
I was talking about the other idiots saying Crosby high-sticked Enstrom. Didn’t happen. Why don’t you play the entire clip? Your cheap little Thrashers were hacking and slashing Sid.
See Sid throws a punch and his arm doesn’t fall off…Just the ones who Nascar Dork trained…
Dwayne
March 18th, 2009
7:14 pm
Come on Darius, you’re not defending Cindy Crotchby are you? The girl was feeling on Boris’s nuts in front of thousands of people. Cindy would not be the best player on the Thrashers if he were here. The only reason Cindy’s number’s are good is because of another Russian, Malkin. Didn’t Malkin carry the Pens when Sissy Cindy was hurt last year? Just asking. And has poor little Sissy Cindy got her lisp fixed yet? Anyway, how’s the weather? 75 and sunny down here, girls are getting their tube tops and cut of jeans out. Can’t wait.
Glovesave29
March 18th, 2009
7:19 pm
Ahhhh name calling. What you fall to when you cannot use reason to get your point across.
Hacking and slashing is what happens in front of the net. If you are not willing to pay the price, you don’t camp out hear the blue ice.
ranallo10 (in AT)
March 18th, 2009
7:25 pm
I really hope the Thrashers fans that frequent this blog don’t float around to other team’s blogs after a win and make all Thrasher fans look like infantile idiots. No matter what the score was, or what “points” can be made from the visit, in the end the idiot is the person who is completely out of place…in this case the Pittsburgh fans on a Thrashers hockey blog.
Show some class and stop posting. Of course, that’s just my opinion.
Glovesave29
March 18th, 2009
7:37 pm
Ranallo – especially in light of the conversations we have had lately about road trips to follow the Thrash or opposition fans coming here. Hockey is still a small community, and that we are fans of different teams is cool, we can still sit and have a cold one and talk hockey. Going on line the day after you’ve beaten another team and causing trouble and bragging just shows a lack of class.
Alan
March 18th, 2009
7:45 pm
ranallo, I know I certainly do not. I’ll usually go complement the other team on a great effort, or in cases like this, just keep my mouth shut. I did speak with a couple Pittsburgh fans earlier today who told me they felt the hit was suspension-worthy. I commended them for Malkin earning his 100th point.
Some Pittsburgh fans are classy fellows. Others, apparently, have a bit of a behavioral problem.
Darius#11
March 18th, 2009
7:53 pm
I am sorry for causing problems. I have a little winkie and I am mad at the world
N/A
March 18th, 2009
8:06 pm
Ok…how do I put this politely?…….
Darius: As a fellow NHL fan I respect your opinions and as much as I dislike the Pens I can see where they might think that the Thrashers (and their fans) are overreacting. But coming onto an ATLANTA fanblog and not only disrespecting our players but calling other posters names (granted you’re getting your share of insults too)? C’mon man even my 13 year old brother has more class than that. Look I get that you want to defend your city and your team, that’s what fans do but as assuming that everyone who’s from GA or everyone who’s an Atlanta fan is a backwater hick is unacceptable. Now please, if you have something to say, be it pro or con Thrashers share in a NONINSULTING way. Yes people on this blog will still call you names, call your players wusses, and trash your city but that doesn’t mean you have to respond to any of it. Don’t feed the fire, just let it go (FYI: you’ll end up looking like the bigger person)
Peace
Darius#11
March 18th, 2009
8:13 pm
a bigger person with a little tallywacker
dwayne
March 18th, 2009
8:24 pm
darius#11 is really Stendec
LAC
March 18th, 2009
8:44 pm
No darius,I own REAL MONEY MAKING companies,want to compare YOUR bank account to mine ? Guess not since you would not understand why I have all those zero’s after the first group of numbers…
Things go in cycles, teams, business and people, from where I stand I
can plainly see you are stuck on the IDIOT spot.
Rustsburgh is an awful place and I hope to never go there again in my life and thank-you for illistrating clearly how rude & nasty from there really are, you should be the poster boy for how your area really
is now a nice place to be ! Now go get back in your little rusty crib and suck your thumb !
Rawhide
March 18th, 2009
9:07 pm
You know…we haven’t haven’t seen this place sink to such “civility” since…well, since the last time a Penguins player took out a Thrasher…when Ruutu took Kovy out. And, in both cases…the discussion went tumbling right down the toilet because of a …surprise, surprise…Penguins fan.
I guess the blogosphere in western PA has a rapid response system ready to go anytime one of their players takes out an opponent and people actually dare to take issue with it. Judging from today’s activity here and over on Knobler’s blog…it certainly does look like the Penguin’s blog-nation got their talking points.
Hey…you gotta give ‘em points for being well organized.
Alan
March 18th, 2009
9:15 pm
Rawhide, don’t forget early last season when you pointed out the similarity between the Islanders’ logo and a giant turd. Although I don’t think that had near as much vitriol as these past incidents with the Penguins fans have.
Lol...
March 18th, 2009
9:35 pm
If you honestly thought Cooke was trying to injure Bogosian you’re clearly disillusion. Cooke was trying to knock Bogo into next week. Bogo being semi-aware, tried to dodge the hit. In doing so he put his knee in harms way. It was totally a freak thing. A guy was trying to play the body… the guy that was going to be hit tried to avoid it. There’s no blame to be placed on either player. It’s an unlucky occurrence in a high speed game.
Glovesave29
March 18th, 2009
9:46 pm
No, Bogo was already clearly engaged with another player. Cooke took a run at him realizing the situation. Bogo could not escape to his right to try to avoid the hit.
Y’know – the greatest moment in Atlanta sports came against Pittsburgh. Sid slid home under Spanky’s tag and this city went bonkers. We we crazy for the Braves, not that another team had failed. You actually felt sorry for Andy VanSlyke as he sat in CF with tears in his eyes in shock. Never did it occur to us to search out the Pirate fans to harass them there at Bleachers in Buckhead. People were shaking their hands and saying good game and buying them a drink. I am sure most fans up there would act in the same manner…
Hanson Brothers
March 18th, 2009
10:10 pm
Anyone else catch that exchange just now in the intermission of the Stars-Flames game on NHL network. They were asking the panel if all 14 non playoff teams should have a chance in the lottery for the first pick. One panelist said all teams should have a chance since in today’s NHL teams at the bottom don’t stay there as long and teams at the top don’t stay there as long. One of the other panelists said “what about Atlanta. They are always at the bottom.” To which the reply was…”you do have to draft well.” Nice to see the Canadian media holding DW accountable.
Rawhide
March 18th, 2009
10:18 pm
Glovesave29 – Ahhhh…the memories! Of course that play will be always highlighted. But I also want to point out that the year before, the Braves beat the Pirates in seven as well. Only in that series, Braves pitching completely dominated Pittsburgh, especially in their home park. After losing 5-2 in the opening game, Pittsburgh fans never saw another run scored in person that season as Atlanta won game two 1-0…game six 1-0 and game seven 4-0. Three straight shutouts in Three Rivers.
I’ll never forget the looks on all those dejected Pie-Rat fans. Priceless.
Ahhhhh…the memories!
Darius #11
March 18th, 2009
10:27 pm
Actually I thought I was reading an account from your local newspaper and then realized it was this wonderful blog. With all of the blubbering, whining and half truths I felt compelled to let you know the truth…You people have no idea.
Bogo was NOT engaged with another player. Sykora was skating BEHIND him..Again, pick up your pencils. I’ll educate you again. Engaged with another player means that they were tied up or jostling with each other. Skating behind someone is not engaging that player.
Nobody has still commented on how pathetic Boris was to injure himself throwing a punch. That sums up Atlanta sports. Good for a laugh…but sad.
LAC
March 18th, 2009
10:32 pm
Gee Rawhide, with Det coming in, I dare wonder if we will be hearing from pucks-n-snot let’s hope not,two looney’s from out of town would be too much !
michael
March 18th, 2009
10:48 pm
bogosian tried to avoid a clean open ice hit from cooke. his knee swerved into cooke’s knee. there’s no way cooke could have possibly prevented knee on knee contact. it was bogosian’s own fault. what do you want cooke to do? not hit in the open ice?
The Joker
March 18th, 2009
11:08 pm
Why argue with Shittsburgh fans, we all know what they are full of.
I love this quote from the ref to John Anderson:
“The referee said if he was injured [Cooke] would have gotten five minutes,” Thrashers coach John Anderson said Tuesday night. “He was injured. He just didn’t lay on the ice.”
It’s no wonder the Shittsburgh players flop on the ice like fish out of water whenever they’re touched.
N/A
March 18th, 2009
11:19 pm
_Sigh_ . I give up. Hey Rawhide do you know who’s on the injured list from Detroit? Last I heard Holstrom was out but I don’t know if anyone else is hurt.
jason
March 18th, 2009
11:29 pm
Personally, the highlight for me of the 1992 NLCS was watching Barry Bonds’ throw take about 24 bounces before it got to the plate. Talk about good for a laugh!
PensFan
March 19th, 2009
12:18 am
I am not going to pretend to be a neutral fan and do a sneak attack on the Thrashers. I live in Atlanta and confess to watching only Pens games here by buying tickets on the cheap online. I do not have any interest in the local team other than as an interested observer of the NHL.
I didn’t think Cooke intentionally went for the knee. I think the reason why Cooke didn’t lean in full body for the hit because instinctively he probably didn’t want to hit Bogo into Sykora. But I will say that it was definitely reckless and I do think the NHL needs to punish reckless play if it causes injuries. Kind of like high stick penalties. It’s a 2 minute thing, but you will pay for your recklessness with a 5 minute penalty if you are not lucky enough to not draw blood. I think a 2 min was OK, but I also think Cooke should be suspended because his actions caused an injury through a play that was not legal. THis would make players be more careful in their reckless hits.
As far as Crosby, I do believe that he should have been suspended for a game for the crotch shots he inflicted in Atlanta. But I will defend him on his “whining”. I have seen other players yap just as much. Early on in his career, I have seen Crosby get targeted a lot and people would accuse him of diving when I have seen other players fall to the ice for less. As far as Crosby being overhyped, you get no argument from me. Even on Pens blogs, you will see some fans admit that and some of us believe the Russians have a case to stake their claim too. Crosby is definitely not the most talented player out there though I think he is the hardest working superstar the Pens ever had.
BTW, Pittsburgh nearly lost the Pens, not because they were the lowest revenue team. They just had the right combination of low revenue, attractive franchise name value, and a no strings attached status to the local arena when the whole drama was going on. You seriously tell me that the Pens got less support than teams on Long Island or even Florida?
Rawhide
March 19th, 2009
1:01 am
PensFan – Nicely stated and presented. Well played, indeed!
Sharon
March 19th, 2009
4:13 am
“You know. Stanley Cup Finals.”
Yes, Darius, I do know. My Detroit Red Wings sent your Pens home. Oh wait, it was in your arena. Well then, thanks for hosting our Stanley Cup victory!
DWTOO
March 19th, 2009
8:23 am
LAC – Also thought of our old pal Pucks-n-Snot when reading the childish rants of Darius. On one hand I think we should just ignore the little turd, but, it is semi-entertaining.
When your team is riding high it’s easy to brag, but,the D-Boy should remember the law of gravity. The Pittsburg sports teams have had more than their share of bad times and that should give their fans a little humility. However, it just brings out the a$$hat in them.
Glovesave29
March 19th, 2009
8:25 am
Yeah Darius, that sure was funny watching a player get injured. Just like watching Dave Dravecky shatter his arm in the middle of a pitch. Or perhaps Clint Malarchuck getting his throat slashed by a skate blade. Joe Thiesman’s leg was a riotous hoot. Kris Drapers face getting smashed in was the laugh of the decade.
Buzilla in CT
March 19th, 2009
9:02 am
I’z got that Itis…Kasperitis
ranallo10 (in AT)
March 19th, 2009
9:21 am
You might want to get that checked out…I’m sure they have a cream for it.
Krust
March 19th, 2009
9:22 am
All Pitt Pens fans move back to Pitt, Please
Nikita
March 19th, 2009
9:23 am
*I guess the blogosphere in western PA has a rapid response system ready to go anytime one of their players takes out an opponent and people actually dare to take issue with it. *
Dude, it’s Pittsburgh. What else is there to do?
NASCAR Dave
March 19th, 2009
10:30 am
The best part of DARIUS dripped down his daddy’s leg…
Hockey Biltong
March 19th, 2009
10:39 am
This has been quite the read. Now we resume our regularly scheduled programming.
Laura
March 19th, 2009
10:49 am
Thank you, PensFan. The Pens are my #3 team (they were #2 until the Thrashers decided to show up so I could actually watch hockey down here – novel concept) and have been since I was a little kid. I watch them, I root for them, I read the PensBlog every day because it’s funny as hell. I have no ill will towards their team, players, or fans, but I have to admit that this season’s series against the Thrashers has been some of the roughest stuff I’ve seen for a while.
Darius#11 does NOT represent most Pens fans – all the ones I’ve ever met are really cool people. He reminds me of one of those douchy bandwagon Detroit fans that we’re going to be surrounded with Friday. Point out the good and get a big head over it, and then forget the days when your franchise wasn’t much better off than we are now.
People like this, you have to ignore. It’s fun to poke at them, but after a while, you just let it go. I’ve dealt with Chicago and Detroit fans all of my life, and frankly I don’t give them the time of day. My traditions as a Blues fan are just as valid as theirs (probably more so, because I don’t randomly attack people because I can), just as Atlanta fans are just as valid as Pens fans.
Alan
March 19th, 2009
11:27 am
Laura, sounds like you’ve dealt with the wrong Detroit fans. The vast majority of Detroit fans are some of the classiest people around. Maybe it’s the fact that a lot of us (yes, I am one) are either fans of the team since they were referred to as the “DeadWings,” or our parents were fans of the “DeadWings” and they instilled their values and classiness in us as children.
I can’t speak for Chicago fans, since I don’t know very many. I’m sure there are others here who can speak for the fanbase.
It all goes back to this Darius character, though. He certainly isn’t indicative of all Penguins fans. You can’t write off an entire fanbase based solely on a few bad apples. That goes for Detroit and Chicago fans, too.
Laura
March 19th, 2009
1:40 pm
Alan, I think that for the most part I’ve had to put up with the bandwagon Wings fans more than the legit ones who know what they’re talking about – bandwagon fans of a team are just such a different breed. The legit Detroit fans are actually pretty ok. There’s something to be said for sticking with your team through bad and good – it makes what the Wings have now more special, IMO.
Now Blackhawks fans? We-ll… there’s a hatred there that’s been brewed for generations between them and St. Louis almost as icky as the hatred between the Cubs and Cards. The 1993 playoff series between the two teams is a good example of that. I freely admit to my regional bias.