THN.com Blog: Mario Lemieux's actions will speak louder than words

[doniceage]

BY: Ken Campbell

It was as predictable as the swallows flocking to Capistrano. No sooner had the words of rebuke for the NHL come out of Mario Lemieux’s mouth Sunday afternoon than legions of critics emerged to point out his hypocrisy.

Gotta love that hockey culture. One of the greatest, most physically gifted players in the history of the game sounds an alarm over the state of affairs in the NHL and how disciplinary matters are handled and instead of using it as a platform for meaningful debate on the issue, outsiders attack Lemieux for it.




http://www.thehockeynews.com/article...daily_20110215

[pghin08]

I love how people are using the fact that the Pens have Matt Cooke as an excuse. As if Lemieux somehow signs off on the questionable things that Cooke does. I watched that game last Friday, and it was an example of thuggery the likes of which I've never seen.

[Wickabee]

The fact is he's never, ever spoken up when on-ice thuggery has been a benefit to the Pens. He chooses this, now? Why? Because they lost? Because his two star players are hurt?
It's a little difficult to take him seriously at this point, when he's had many chances before. The Penguins (yes, especially Cooke) have been running around since Sid got hurt like it it their right to claim retribution against anyone and everyone in the league. Now they're complaining about 1 game? Vancouver has 4 top D-men AND 1 of the minor league replacements out with injury (some due to plays with questionable non-calls attached) and they aren't running all over the league trying to gain retribution, why is Pittsburgh doing it? Because Crosby is a "Premier Player"? That's no excuse.
In short, just can't take the guy seriously on this one.

[keystoneantiquities]

The Penguins won't take liberties with my Islanders again. You can take that to the bank.

[CSSports]

Lemieux and the Pens should suspend Cooke without pay and send the message that his part in it all was unexcuseable....That would send a message that the Pens will not accept play like that....

When was the last time a team suspended their own player for their actions on the ice to keep the integrity of the game?

[steen101984]

I love how people are using the fact that the Pens have Matt Cooke as an excuse. As if Lemieux somehow signs off on the questionable things that Cooke does. I watched that game last Friday, and it was an example of thuggery the likes of which I've never seen.

He continues to employ him and regualrly signs his pay cheques thats the definition of signing off on Cooke. As far as im concerned he can take his bat and ball and go home. I always wondered where Crosby got the whining from but he has apparently been learning from the best.

[duwal]

I love how people are using the fact that the Pens have Matt Cooke as an excuse. As if Lemieux somehow signs off on the questionable things that Cooke does. I watched that game last Friday, and it was an example of thuggery the likes of which I've never seen.

Its not an excuse. Its a simple fact that Cooke is one of the top players in the league that is doing exactly what Lemieux says is wrong with the league. All people are seeing is Mario being a hypocrite with his complaining. Its like a parent complaining that the school needs to discipline some of the troublemaking students when their own children is the leading causes of the disturbances

[Wickabee]

Couldn't be said better. Start at about 4:29

[theboxbreaker96]

ok yes cooke is dirty but does he sucer punch guys let alone attack them on the ground like matt martin? no. does he elbow people in the head? yes. does he attack a person when they are hurt covering there face and throw punches at them like gilles? no. cooke should have gotten more but hedman could have gotten something for the hit on sid.

my point is lemieux is upset that nothing happened to steckle, hedman then this brawl when the isles do something like this he has had enough. cooke gets suspended for hit from behind and sid gets hit from behind by hedman nothing.

the NHL is inconsistent and needs to shape up they go out and target players and its not just cooke. lets say cooke hits corsby like hedman did does he get a suspension yes i will guarentee it same with the steckle.

i am a pens fan but you cant disagree

[theboxbreaker96]

why doesnt cherry say and show the hits sid has taken or the cheap shot dipetro did to cooke. sid has yet to return he only singles out the pens im not saying the hits he showed are not dirty because they are but so was the 2 on sid and the one on cooke. ovechkin came out and said the hit was clean.

so cherry instead of calling out lemieux and the pens think before you speak