Rangers 2010-2011

[WSjo22 1]

Why put his name in there if you don't think Cooke and guys of his ilk stand up for what they've done? Trust me, Matt Cooke has crossed the line a hell of a lot more times than once. Cooke knows linesmen's numbers better than just about any other player in the league.

Used him as an example because it was the last big instance that I real call a player crossing the line and being openly called out by others and some one his own.. The next game he answered the bell with Thornton. I've seen other times where he's done borderline stuff and cowarded but does that mean that when he does answer it that you can't cite it as an example in future instances? Brent Burns butt end is a good example. He is in no way regarded as a dirty player, does that mean you can't talk about what he did in that instance when talking about future incidents in similar fashion? Not saying Cooke is a saint or respectable on the ice just using an incident as an example

I agree Chippa, more times than not guys just fight the fight for them and it's left at that for all we know. This is an incident where you're a part of a team you want their respect and you want to do right by them; when want of them calls you out like that it should tell you that you've crossed the line

[Theo 1]

Just saw the highlights. Man, how big a douchebag is Avery? Doesn't wanna fight...doesn't wanna fight and then when Smid turns his head, Avery sucker punches him. How can anyone respect a dipshit like that?

That was not a sucker punch, sorry. A sucker punch comes out of nowhere from behind the person or the side of the person.

Look:

Smid instigated the fight. Both were squared off. As an NHL player in that position, you have to expect anything and everything from your opponent, UNTIL you or the other guy skates away. And then you just hope you don't get McSorley'ed or Bertuzzi'd. It was a good lesson for Smid. I can't sit here and say it was clean or that it was within the golden shrine of NHL fighting rules. But it was not all that bad either to be honest.

There is a reason why it was not given a suspension and given Avery's track record, that says a lot.

As far as EC, his comments are disgraceful from a teammate.

[Chadd 916]

That was not a sucker punch, sorry. A sucker punch comes out of nowhere from behind the person or the side of the person.

Look:

Smid instigated the fight. Both were squared off. As an NHL player in that position, you have to expect anything and everything from your opponent, UNTIL you or the other guy skates away. And then you just hope you don't get McSorley'ed or Bertuzzi'd. It was a good lesson for Smid. I can't sit here and say it was clean or that it was within the golden shrine of NHL fighting rules. But it was not all that bad either to be honest.

There is a reason why it was not given a suspension and given Avery's track record, that says a lot.

As far as EC, his comments are disgraceful from a teammate.

Not this again.

[chippa13 1844]

Please, for as long as Avery decided to keep his gloves on, it was reasonable for Smid not to expect that Avery would suddenly drop them and start swinging. Avery suckered him and good for his teammate to call him out for it. Sometimes teammates shouldn't stand up for each other and this was one of those times.

It was interesting that you brought up the McSorley incident because Ray Bourque looked sickened in the lockerroom after that and said something to the effect of it being the worst thing he had ever seen in a hockey game. I guess Bourque's comments were disgraceful, too.

[Theo 1]

Please, for as long as Avery decided to keep his gloves on, it was reasonable for Smid not to expect that Avery would suddenly drop them and start swinging. Avery suckered him and good for his teammate to call him out for it. Sometimes teammates shouldn't stand up for each other and this was one of those times.

It was interesting that you brought up the McSorley incident because Ray Bourque looked sickened in the lockerroom after that and said something to the effect of it being the worst thing he had ever seen in a hockey game. I guess Bourque's comments were disgraceful, too.

Are you comparing what McSorley did to what Avery did last night? Please...The two are night and day to the extreme.

I brought that up along with Bert, partly in jest if you read the context, that sometimes even after you do walk away from a fight that never happened, bad things can happen.

Chippa- Smid instigated the fight. he should have been ready at any cost. Once again, not a sucker punch. Look for Matt Johnson clips for that.

[chippa13 1844]

This will be my last on this one; when a guy refuses to drop for as long as Avery did then it was reasonable for Smid to not expect a scrap much less a free shot.

[WSjo22 1]

What fight did you see Smid instigate? Because what I saw was Smid challenge Avery for several moments while he refused until Smid skated away like most players would do and to your comments about the Bertuzzi incident are ridiculous.... I don't think any player should have to think about someone attacking them from behind or getting sucker punched in retaliation for doing something permitted in the context of the game

[Theo 1]

What fight did you see Smid instigate? Because what I saw was Smid challenge Avery for several moments while he refused until Smid skated away like most players would do and to your comments about the Bertuzzi incident are ridiculous.... I don't think any player should have to think about someone attacking them from behind or getting sucker punched in retaliation for doing something permitted in the context of the game

SportsnetSpec Mark Spector Sports

I always thought "sucker punch" definitioin was, the recipient isn't looking/ has no clue it's coming.

1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply

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Mark Spector Sports

SportsnetSpec Mark Spector Sports

With due respect, is it a sucker punch when Smid sees punch coming all the way? Cheap shot, sure. Sucker punch though...?

9 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

I see a lot missed the boat on what I meant by Bertuzzi and McSorley. I guess I phrased it wrong, although it seems pretty clear to me. I was saying that if a fight does not occur, when skating away from each other, one should not have to worry. Obviously, in those two infamous situations, there were very bad decisions and consequences.

I'll try to make it even simpler: My point is: if two players are still squared off and in striking range, you better keep your guard up. And if one decides not to go and skates away, he should be free to do so and not worry about being brutally attacked from behind. But so long as he is away from the play squared off, be ready for a fight.

And of course Smid instigated or challenged- either way it is the same thing and you admit that in your wording as you note he challenged Avery. He instigated Avery to fight or confronted him. He was the one who went up to Avery looking to fight after Avery's hit on his teammate.

[WSjo22 1]

I see a lot missed the boat on what I meant by Bertuzzi and McSorley. I guess I phrased it wrong, although it seems pretty clear to me. I was saying that if a fight does not occur, when skating away from each other, one should not have to worry. Obviously, in those two infamous situations, there were very bad decisions and consequences.

I'll try to make it even simpler: My point is: if two players are still squared off and in striking range, you better keep your guard up. And if one decides not to go and skates away, he should be free to do so and not worry about being brutally attacked from behind. But so long as he is away from the play squared off, be ready for a fight.

And of course Smid instigated or challenged- either way it is the same thing and you admit that in your wording as you note he challenged Avery. He instigated Avery to fight or confronted him. He was the one who went up to Avery looking to fight after Avery's hit on his teammate.

There's a difference between a sucker punch in hockey and a sucker punch in a street fight. In a sport where in a fight most people still worry about and respect the health of the person their fighting what Avery did is a sucker punch... and the incident Smid started was over the second avery refused to fight....

[mug25 2]

Despite obviously biased officiating in favor of Crosby and Co. the Rangers beat the Penguins tonight in OT :D

BTW, my Callahan Heritage jersey is on it's way. My friend was at the game Sunday night and picked one up for me :)

[Chappie 0]

That was the single best win we've had since the Jagr era ended. Holy crap what a win.

[mug25 2]

That was the single best win we've had since the Jagr era ended. Holy crap what a win.

It made me smile to see Callahan, Staal and Girardi push Crosby around like the little bitch he really is.

[Chappie 0]

It made me smile seeing Dubi set up that goal to Staal. I was ready to write this game off as another one of those bs'ers that we seem to be getting lately. Dubi totally made that play though. In fact, he made plays on both of the last two goals.

[BenderHockey 127]

I think Dubs caught EVERYONE in the building off-guard with that pass. With that nasty move, I thought for sure he was going to finish it off.

[boconnor811 0]

Indeed a crazy finish... There has been quite a few this week, that's for sure.

[hamstercaster 2]

Just thought I'd post those two tweets from Shanahan about the Avery/Smid incident. This does not reflect my view of the incident as I haven't seen what happened but I just thought that Shannahan's comments were funny.

NHLShanny Brendan Shanahan

BTW, wherever u fall on the Avery/Smid punch, without instigator rule that used to be how half the fights started. I remember.

NHLShanny Brendan Shanahan

I remember asking a guy to fight in junior. He didn't say yes or no- just punched me in the nose. Pulled my neck muscles. Lesson learned.

[B-Nads 0]

I feel it was a sucker punch, but it's as much Smid's fault in a sense - any player should know who they are on the ice with, and what tendancies they have. Avery has a tendancy to pull bone-headed shit like this then run away - personally I think he's one of the biggest d-bag cowards in the NHL, and that act just proved it - especially when his team had to come defend him as he exited stage left. That being said, I think any player who is on the ice against Avery has an obligation to keep this stuff in mind.

My 2 cents.

[mug25 2]

Im hoping the Rangers thread isn't going to be a season long debate over Sean avery punching Smid....

Tough loss tonight. Tim Thomas really shut the Rangers down :( On a positive note, Torts put Stepan back with Frolov and Gaborik. Stepan performed really well. Enough of him being on the 4th line with Boogaard.

[Chadd 916]

Im hoping the Rangers thread isn't going to be a season long debate over Sean avery punching Smid....

Tough loss tonight. Tim Thomas really shut the Rangers down :( On a positive note, Torts put Stepan back with Frolov and Gaborik. Stepan performed really well. Enough of him being on the 4th line with Boogaard.

It's Torts, lines change from shift to shift. Even when things are going well overall.

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

Im hoping the Rangers thread isn't going to be a season long debate over Sean avery punching Smid....

Tough loss tonight. Tim Thomas really shut the Rangers down :( On a positive note, Torts put Stepan back with Frolov and Gaborik. Stepan performed really well. Enough of him being on the 4th line with Boogaard.

How long did Stepan have to put up with that?

[mug25 2]

How long did Stepan have to put up with that?

Several games.

[mug25 2]

Good game tonight against the Wild. Stepan is playing well. If you just watch his passes alone it's clear he needs to be on that line w/ Gabby and Frolov.

For those who watch every/most Rangers games you prob know about Frolov's seemingly endless infatuation with the wrap-around and know even moreso that he fails at it every time. Well, he actually scored on one tonight! Now he can stop trying every game.

[burrn 0]

I don't think it'll stop him though.

On another note, Biron is really doing his job well.

Roster wise, they've really became solid and deep compared to a few years ago.

Should be ready for a trip to the 2nd round, at least, I hope.

[mug25 2]

I don't think it'll stop him though.

On another note, Biron is really doing his job well.

Roster wise, they've really became solid and deep compared to a few years ago.

Should be ready for a trip to the 2nd round, at least, I hope.

I agree 100%. I would not be surprised if Lundqvist has that knee bothering him again. He's really been playing like absolute shit lately and for once it's not entirely the fault of the defense. I would not be too worried if Biron had to start more games for a little while as Henrik rests up and gets his shit together.

Switching gears a bit here....I wish that Iginla trade rumor would happen. I keep hearing that it's "just a rumor" but then again..."if it doesn't die, it's not just a rumor".

[Chappie 0]

I'm just wondering if the NY experience is getting to Hank. I mean, didn't he just do a taping of Martha Stewart?

I just hope his head is in it this year, because this team, while scrappy and not overly offensively gifted, is well balanced and does work.

Wouldn't mind trying Steps in between Cally and Dubi and giving AA some time on the first line though. Him and Gabby work well, and Frolov is just a whatever at this point. Whatever extra you can get out of him, you take and are happy, and whatever you don't get, you just say "whatever" and move on.