Fallout From the Crosby Fight

[RGM81]

I'm sure everybody by now has seen the Crosby/Niskanen fight from the other day. You couldn't go two seconds on the TV without it, and just about every major sports outlet was talking about it - even ones that never talk hockey.

Here is the actual scrape:

http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/98305

(sorry, can't post the video link as YouTube's block at work)

This has led to considerable discussion as to whether stars should be fighting...

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=339876

"Some people will say that it's leadership, that he was trying to spur his team on to something greater," McKenzie countered. "I think it was because that he was minus-2 on the night. The Pens don't have a lot going right now and Crosby is not blessed with great goal scoring wingers and he's not racking up points. I think it was frustration."
While you can debate Crosby's intent, what cannot be argued is that when a marquee talent decides it's time to fight that it makes for compelling viewing.
During Game 3 of the 2004 Stanley Cup Final - with the series tied at a game apiece - Jarome Iginla and Vincent Lecavalier brought fans out of their seats as they decided to face off with fists at centre ice. In this case, you had two captains (and extremely large physical specimens) throwing down and dropping bombs on each other. While the Flames would go on to win that game 3-0, the Lightning would claim the ultimate goal by earning the lone Stanley Cup title in franchise history by taking the series in seven games. No one was injured during the tilt and both parties handled themselves adequately.
On the flip side, we present the amusing case of Washington Capitals sniper Alexander Semin's lone career bout. After being roughed up by Rangers defenceman Marc Staal, Semin responded with what appeared to be a series of open handed slaps to the back of the head of the Blueshirts' blueliner. While the performance may not have inspired teammates to victory (the Caps were already up 2-1 when Semin threw down) he was able to inspire a legion of would-be comedians to come up with their favourite bongo-related jokes to describe Semin's particular brand of pugilism.
Outside the embarrassment of a star player potentially getting their heads handed to them in a tilt, the biggest concern that presents itself when a superstar scraps is the very real possibility of injury.

Discuss.

[flemingc04]

Awesome fight from Crosby! I haven't been watching the highlights the past couple of days so this is the first time I saw or heard of it.

Personally, I think it's okay for star players to fight once in a while. In this case, the Penguins were down 4-1 and Morrow dropped the gloves with non-fighter Letang. Crosby was probably frustrated beyond anything that he figured he would try and light some fire under his team. It's just another form of leadership while letting off some steam at the same time.

There is always the risk of injury, but I think it's good for star players to hold their own ground without others having to fight their battles once in a while. If players like these can hold their own ground once in a while, then maybe they can go without some extra toughness on their line now and then to help protect them.

[JHEYKID]

I'm not going to lie, I am more impressed with Jamie Benn fighting twice in one game then Crosby's cat fight. If star guys want to go, let em' go.

[duwal]

I'm not going to lie, I am more impressed with Jamie Benn fighting twice in one game then Crosby's cat fight. If star guys want to go, let em' go.

cat fight? did you see the fight? Crosby connected with a good amount of punches, that was no cat fight. It was a good scrap

[Captngeetch]

How many secretly wish Crosby busted a hand in the fray ?

[JHEYKID]

cat fight? did you see the fight? Crosby connected with a good amount of punches, that was no cat fight. It was a good scrap

They both aren't fighters, was a sloppy tilt. Not many good punches IMO. Props to both for dropping them though.

[Gabby10]

Soo tired hearing about the Crosby fight. Ever since he jumped the guy in Florida a couple of seasons ago, I don't really care for him.

[centrehice]

[QUOTE=flemingc04;8817836]Awesome fight from Crosby! I haven't been watching the highlights the past couple of days so this is the first time I saw or heard of it.

Personally, I think it's okay for star players to fight once in a while. In this case, the Penguins were down 4-1 and Morrow dropped the gloves with non-fighter Letang. Crosby was probably frustrated beyond anything.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< <<<<<<<<

The league has awarded the Pens over 70 PP's this season. He should only be frustrated in himself.

Now, let's look at whom he chose to fight. Hmm....... Matti Niskanen. He would have had a tougher scrap from Agnetha Faltskog from ABBA.

Crosby should have taken on Ott, if he thinks he's a tough guy.

Bottom Line..... Crosby would never fight a North American that he couldn't JUMP, or he would never fight somebody his own size from North America, or somebody who's tougher than himself.

He takes on a calm, even-tempered Swede that as far as I know, could go his entire career without fighting again, if not for Sid the tough guy.

Crosby needs to stop acting entitled.

[gilp11]

[quote=centrehice;8819873]

Awesome fight from Crosby! I haven't been watching the highlights the past couple of days so this is the first time I saw or heard of it.

Personally, I think it's okay for star players to fight once in a while. In this case, the Penguins were down 4-1 and Morrow dropped the gloves with non-fighter Letang. Crosby was probably frustrated beyond anything.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< <<<<<<<<

The league has awarded the Pens over 70 PP's this season. He should only be frustrated in himself.

Now, let's look at whom he chose to fight. Hmm....... Matti Niskanen. He would have had a tougher scrap from Agnetha Faltskog from ABBA.

Crosby should have taken on Ott, if he thinks he's a tough guy.

Bottom Line..... Crosby would never fight a North American that he couldn't JUMP, or he would never fight somebody his own size from North America, or somebody who's tougher than himself.

He takes on a calm, even-tempered Swede that as far as I know, could go his entire career without fighting again, if not for Sid the tough guy.

Crosby needs to stop acting entitled.

hahahahaahha WOW what a joke

[FuriousD82]

I just saw the video for the first time. I am a Red Wings fan and despise Sidney.

Having said that, you can tell why he is one of the superior athletes in the world based on his strength and balance. While you never want your star player to scrap, he did it right, he didn't jump Niskanen, he just attacked quickly. Niskanen was probably a bit in shock and afraid to hit the golden boy, as well, until Crosby attacks.