Rd 1 - Official Series Discussion Thread: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers

[GrimUSMC]

I conceed. All I was saying was the flyers were the better team. Even through all that went on they kept their composure enough to play hockey and win the game. We can sit here for days and debate who did what first, we all know there is bad blood beteen these two teams and there are no angels on either side. I can admit to my teams faults and their lack of composure. The flyers are the better team, but their are not the saintly team that you guys are defending. They just were able to keep it from affecting the outcome of the game.

The Flyers are by no means angels. Most Flyers fans are just angry at the cheap attempts to injure, mostly Neal, and the fact that Crosby started almost every scrum, and yet never stuck around to finish it. If you are going to start it, win or lose you should be man enough to stick around and fight the batttle you caused. Thats why people are so angry.

[FlyerGuy22]

Why exactly were they tossed? It looked like every other after the whistle scrum/fight I have ever seen. A friend told me it was by rule, so what exactly was the rule?

And yes, Letang beat Timonen down. He won that one.

47.7 is the rule used to throw them out.
I'm not really sure how they decided to use this rule or why only on these 2 (I guess they figured it wasn't a good idea to toss Crosby/Giroux in the first period)

[pghin08]

Why exactly were they tossed? It looked like every other after the whistle scrum/fight I have ever seen. A friend told me it was by rule, so what exactly was the rule?

And yes, Letang beat Timonen down. He won that one.

I'm pretty sure the rule is that you can't start fighting while someone else is fighting. Automatic ejections.

[pghin08]

47.7 is the rule used to throw them out.
I'm not really sure how they decided to use this rule or why only on these 2 (I guess they figured it wasn't a good idea to toss Crosby/Giroux in the first period)

Crosby/Giroux was the initial altercation, that's why they weren't tossed.

[walker066]

Being a Die-hard Pens fan and living in the Philly area, I'm not happy with how this series has gone. I have watched the 1st game and heard about the 2nd and 3rd games. I had prior commitments, so I was unable to watch. With that said...

1. The Pens should be ashamed of there special teams play. You cannot continue to give the puck away and expect to win the game. For as good at the PK was in the season, it sure hasn't shown in these playoffs. Someone needs to be held accountable.

2. The aggressive play is encouraged in the sport, but there is a fine line and both the Pens and Flyers have been accountable for this thuggery play in this series.

3. As mush as I like Blysma, he is too soft as a players coach. All this has happened under his watch. I'm not saying they need to fire him, but someone needs to shake things up and it's got to be him or some players gone.

4. Flyers fans, please and I mean please, the Crosby whining complaints are getting old. It's obvious the fans hate him and some are probably just jealous he is better than anyone who has laced them up in the orange and black. If you disagree you wouldn't want him on your team, you are not being truthfully to yourself.

5. I can understand it's been 37 years and you are dying for a cup, but just a couple of years ago, Ashem's play was encouraged, now it's not. Pick one or the other, but don't act like this play never happened in a Flyers uni.

6. I really don't have any hope at this point, but the Pens must show up in game 4. They need to move on from this chippy play and get back to the basics. If not, then..........

[walker066]

The Flyers are by no means angels. Most Flyers fans are just angry at the cheap attempts to injure, mostly Neal, and the fact that Crosby started almost every scrum, and yet never stuck around to finish it. If you are going to start it, win or lose you should be man enough to stick around and fight the batttle you caused. Thats why people are so angry.

But it was ok for Buddy Ryan to do so back in the day??? I'm not disagreeing with you, but for the Philadelphia fan base to act like this never happened under there watch it's behind words. Buddu Ryan did it. The Broad Street Bullies did it.

It's sports, it happens, it's competition at the highest level. Some people will agree, some won't.

[GrimUSMC]

But it was ok for Buddy Ryan to do so back in the day??? I'm not disagreeing with you, but for the Philadelphia fan base to act like this never happened under there watch it's behind words. Buddu Ryan did it. The Broad Street Bullies did it.

It's sports, it happens, it's competition at the highest level. Some people will agree, some won't.

Buddy Ryan did what? The Broad Street Bullies did what? Im not sure what you are saying. They always fought their battles. Plus, I was not alive to see it and am not really an Eagles fan, though thats more anger over todays franchise, but I digress, lol.

And I will tell you first hand Crosby is not better then anyone who ever laced them up in Orange and Black. Lindros in his prime was much better then Crosby will ever be.

After yesterdays game, I can guarantee you no Flyers fan would ever want Crosby in the orange and black. Yesterdays display would never be tolerated here in Philadelphia, especially from the "captain." Especially when he looked like he was going to cry in the post game interview.

[GrimUSMC]

Being a Die-hard Pens fan and living in the Philly area, I'm not happy with how this series has gone. I have watched the 1st game and heard about the 2nd and 3rd games. I had prior commitments, so I was unable to watch. With that said...

1. The Pens should be ashamed of there special teams play. You cannot continue to give the puck away and expect to win the game. For as good at the PK was in the season, it sure hasn't shown in these playoffs. Someone needs to be held accountable.

2. The aggressive play is encouraged in the sport, but there is a fine line and both the Pens and Flyers have been accountable for this thuggery play in this series.

3. As mush as I like Blysma, he is too soft as a players coach. All this has happened under his watch. I'm not saying they need to fire him, but someone needs to shake things up and it's got to be him or some players gone.

4. Flyers fans, please and I mean please, the Crosby whining complaints are getting old. It's obvious the fans hate him and some are probably just jealous he is better than anyone who has laced them up in the orange and black. If you disagree you wouldn't want him on your team, you are not being truthfully to yourself.

5. I can understand it's been 37 years and you are dying for a cup, but just a couple of years ago, Ashem's play was encouraged, now it's not. Pick one or the other, but don't act like this play never happened in a Flyers uni.

6. I really don't have any hope at this point, but the Pens must show up in game 4. They need to move on from this chippy play and get back to the basics. If not, then..........

We NEVER, and I mean NEVER, encouraged him to take a stick to someones grape. Jessie Boulerice did it once, and even us flyers fans called for a lengthy suspension and wanted him gone. I actually can somewhat understand Ashams heated and passionate over reaction more then Neals calculated cheap shot after cheap shot. He saw a team mate get dropped and rushed to his aid, and it does appear he aimed for the chest and missed.

[abls10]

And I stated from the start my disappointment in those players and their actions. I don't know if it stemmed from regular season, because I was unable to watch all six games. But it seemed to me that the flyers were gunning for Neal and Malkin right from the start of game one. There was a lot of hitting from both sides, but whistles were not blown (both sides). I know it's the playoffs, and the whistles are stuck in the refs pockets, but I believe if calls were made early on (especially these 2 teams), alot of these scrums could of been avoided. And I am not blaming the refs for losing. Heck, the way power play is going for the pens, I would rather they not be on the power play. The refs let it get out of control by allowing some of the questionable hits early on by both teams. And it just spun out of control.

[PensFan7187]

"Lindros in his prime was much better then Crosby will ever be."

Even Carl and Bonnie disagree with you on that one.