NHL: 2008 - 2009 season is upon us

[Puckstop31]

Maybe he's just bad luck

I did read an article this morning, he admitted that the pressure was too much for him.

It was HIS choice. Granted a pretty good bet, but still his choice. He seemed to be a good fit with the Wings skill game, but when it got to gut check, "how much do you want it" time.... He was not equal to his teamates desire.

Wow... What makes this so great for the Penguins is that they beat THIS Red Wings team. This Red Wings team, IMHO, is in the top 5 teams ever. Really. To go from getting just 100% taken apart in game 5, to winning the last 2 games they did...

Wow. Good for the NHL I think.

[RICHARD]

Why Lidstrom missed that game against Chicago - from the Freep -

I'd probably go see the doc after a 'sharp' blow tp to the bits.

Not a good way to mark a date.

[Grace]

Jen, you have more class than some of the Penguin players.

From hockeydirt.com –

Shame on Sidney Crosby and a few other members of the Pittsburg Penguins for disrespecting the Red Wings. I guess Lebron James is their role model.

After being defeated by the Penguins in game 7, the Red Wings gave the Pens a few minutes to celebrate the win. The Wings then lined up for the traditional handshake. Sadly, Crosby and few other Penguins were too busy celebrating to notice that the handshakes had begun. By the time Crosby did join the line many of the Detroit players had already come to the end of the line and headed for the dressing room. This left Crosby to shake the hands of a couple of players and some members of the Detroit training staff. Shameful, and a mockery of what the CBC announcer described as one of the greatest traditions in sport.

Then there is this –

Update: NHL.com has posted a video of the handshake. Take a look - it confirms that Sid wasn't in the lineup until late. Nick Lidstrom led the Wings line and he even waited for some Penguins to get in line, but Crosby was very late arriving and by the time he did get in line Lidstrom, Draper and many others had peeled off.

HERE is the link to the video. You might note some booing in the background. I think it was from the fans who could see Crosby and the others who were not shaking hands.

[JenBKR]

Jen, you have more class than some of the Penguin players.

From hockeydirt.com –


Then there is this –


HERE is the link to the video. You might note some booing in the background. I think it was from the fans who could see Crosby and the others who were not shaking hands.

I did notice that a few players wree late in getting to the handshake, but I didn't know why. The camara never showed what they were doing. I would agree, that was wrong of them and they should have been more respectful. However, the booing had already been going on, it started when the Pens were awarded the Cup and didn't seem to let up for quite a while. And I think hockeydirt needs to learn to spell Pittsburgh

[Grace]

I did notice that a few players wree late in getting to the handshake, but I didn't know why. The camara never showed what they were doing. I would agree, that was wrong of them and they should have been more respectful. However, the booing had already been going on, it started when the Pens were awarded the Cup and didn't seem to let up for quite a while. And I think hockeydirt needs to learn to spell Pittsburgh

That happens after the handshakes are over. Yeah, they should have just said the Penguins

[JenBKR]

That happens after the handshakes are over.

Whoops, you're right, I don't know where my head's at...

[Grace]

I was coming back to comment on the booing. Did anyone really expect the Detroit fans to cheer for the Penguins? I certainly did not expect the Pittsburgh fans to cheer for Detroit last year - and they did not.

That's why a team wants to win at home

[RICHARD]

I was coming back to comment on the booing. Did anyone really expect the Detroit fans to cheer for the Penguins? I certainly did not expect the Pittsburgh fans to cheer for Detroit last year - and they did not.

That's why a team wants to win at home

I really didn't think the fans were really rude or AHs, I noticed there were quite a few hats tossed on the ice, You figure they would have tossed more than hats at the opposing teams rink.

---------------

LOL, Of course I come from going to the El Lay Raiduhs games...Some of those fans were animals.

[Grace]

I really didn't think the fans were really rude or AHs, I noticed there were quite a few hats tossed on the ice, You figure they would have tossed more than hats at the opposing teams rink.

---------------

LOL, Of course I come from going to the El Lay Raiduhs games...Some of those fans were animals.

Like some of these -

[RICHARD]

Like some of these -

Do you get the VERSUS channel? There is a program called Sports Soup that made fun of the octopi!

They tossed a few at the host of the program, Matt Iseman.

It was really funny, I looked on the website for them but could not find the clps!

[JenBKR]

I was coming back to comment on the booing. Did anyone really expect the Detroit fans to cheer for the Penguins? I certainly did not expect the Pittsburgh fans to cheer for Detroit last year - and they did not.

That's why a team wants to win at home

Of course I wouldn't expect them to cheer, but the booing was so loud I was having trouble hearing some of it. I don't remember that happening quite like that in Pittsburgh last year (although I could be wrong, I think I may have turned the tv off then).

[JenBKR]

I just watched the clip again where the Cup was presented to the pens - I can hardly understand what is being said because of the booing. However, it occurred to me that they may have been booing Bettman himself. Ah well, no matter.

Speaking of throwing things on the ice, a CERTAIN team's fans threw all kinds of garbage and other items at the pens players as they skated off the ice after 'capping' a series I would be upset, and embarrassed, if Pens fans ever did that to an opposing team, and I would hope that has never happened. You always have your wackos though.

Hey Puckstop, which is your favorite hockey team? I know your wife follows Montreal, but I don't remember if you've ever mentioned your favorite team. Just curious

[sparks19]

He's a buffalo sabres fan

[Grace]

However, it occurred to me that they may have been booing Bettman himself. Ah well, no matter.

BINGO!! You hit it right with this comment. No matter the arena, Mr. Bettman gets nothing but boos when he shows up. When the Wings won at home in 2002, the boos were deafening - and he was giving the Cup to Stevie Yzerman who is adored in Detroit.

[smokey the elder]

Poorly played by Crosby to not join the handshake line.

I only caught the last 3 minutes because I had a rehearsal (dang it, both for games 6 and 7!) I saw the puck clang off the crossbar...whew! That was a hard-fought Stanley Cup series!

Looks like the 5-0 shellacking gave the Pens the slap upside the head they needed!