Crosby Cheating?

[Nick79]

Good! That's how it's supposed to be, like the NBA does for LeBron and did for MJ, how the NFL goes out of it's way to kiss Tom Brady's ass! Thanks Sid for whining and crying and doing what your supposed to do, to get the superstar "benefit of the doubt", and unfairly advantage MY TEAM, the Penguins! And fuck Canada if they don't like it!

[Pabst]

Literally everything I've read on this subject has called bullshit on Couture's claims. Even Sharks' fans are telling him to shut up. The Pens' aren't getting any sort of advantage with this because its a non-story.

[Nick79]

My thing is, the way the hard core hockey fans are all gung ho about NOT calling penalties in the playoffs, "Let the players decide!" they're always yelling! It's kind of hypocritical to whine when you don't get a call!

[V DUB]

It's a player, not a fan. His whining is baseless & was covered already.

We all already know "your thing".

[Nick79]

It's a player, not a fan. His whining is baseless & was covered already.

We all already know "your thing".

"My thing", yeah, somebody has to be SMART while others just accept the ridiculousness of the sport.

[Nick79]

Saturday Night was another great example of the stupidity, So Thornton gets a FOUR MINUTE PENALTY? Why, because of the little scratch on his face that he wouldn't have gotten if he wore a shield? No scratch and that is 2 minutes less? that's idiocy! Meanwhile, Crosby gets literally tackled right in front of the goal and that's OK? Too much weird BS, hockey officiating and rules are almost as illegitimate and fake wrestling-like as the NFL is now.

[jeemie]

Couture's bitching worked, at least for a game. I thought the linesmen were a lot more strict with faceoffs Saturday night.

I echo Nick's sentiment about the Crosby non-call. Doc Emrick commented that no penalty was called there because Crosby was off-balance. I'm not familiar with all the nuances of the rules, so I have to ask...is that really true? Because if it is, it's stupid. You get pulled down...you get pulled down. It should be called.

I had the impression the calls have been slanted in favor of San Jose, but when I ran the numbers, Pittsburgh's had 6 PPs and San Jose's had 6 PPs (one of them a double minor).

And the Pens have had 7 penalties called on them to 6 for San Jose.

So I guess it's not as slanted as I thought.

[Donnie Brasco]

Couture's bitching worked, at least for a game. I thought the linesmen were a lot more strict with faceoffs Saturday night.

I echo Nick's sentiment about the Crosby non-call. Doc Emrick commented that no penalty was called there because Crosby was off-balance. I'm not familiar with all the nuances of the rules, so I have to ask...is that really true? Because if it is, it's stupid. You get pulled down...you get pulled down. It should be called.

I had the impression the calls have been slanted in favor of San Jose, but when I ran the numbers, Pittsburgh's had 6 PPs and San Jose's had 6 PPs (one of them a double minor).

And the Pens have had 7 penalties called on them to 6 for San Jose.

So I guess it's not as slanted as I thought.

Doc Emrick can eat a dick, he's towing the company line there. He was not off balance, that was a strictly "NHL playoffs" non call. "Gotta play through it" nonsense.

The tripping call on Bonino was a legit trip but to call it AFTER Sid gets tossed to the ice? C'mon...that's a terrible standard.

Basically the Pens weren't taking as many penalties because they had the puck so much. Not sayin the Pens never commit an infraction but the opportunities to take penalties is lessened when you have it so much

[bradshaw2ben]

Couture's bitching worked, at least for a game. I thought the linesmen were a lot more strict with faceoffs Saturday night.

I echo Nick's sentiment about the Crosby non-call. Doc Emrick commented that no penalty was called there because Crosby was off-balance. I'm not familiar with all the nuances of the rules, so I have to ask...is that really true? Because if it is, it's stupid. You get pulled down...you get pulled down. It should be called.

I had the impression the calls have been slanted in favor of San Jose, but when I ran the numbers, Pittsburgh's had 6 PPs and San Jose's had 6 PPs (one of them a double minor).

And the Pens have had 7 penalties called on them to 6 for San Jose.

So I guess it's not as slanted as I thought.

Just because PPs are even doesn't mean calls/noncalls are even. Pens have had the better of the play and could have gotten a few more calls if they were holding to some standard above prison rules (which Emrick alluded to after one egregious non-call "Alcatraz is only an hour away").

[Louis Lipps Service]

It's a player, not a fan. His whining is baseless & was covered already.

We all already know "your thing".

"My thing", yeah, somebody has to be SMART while others just accept the ridiculousness of the sport.

I've seen very few people here "accepting the ridiculousness of the sport"

[jeemie]

Couture's bitching worked, at least for a game. I thought the linesmen were a lot more strict with faceoffs Saturday night.

I echo Nick's sentiment about the Crosby non-call. Doc Emrick commented that no penalty was called there because Crosby was off-balance. I'm not familiar with all the nuances of the rules, so I have to ask...is that really true? Because if it is, it's stupid. You get pulled down...you get pulled down. It should be called.

I had the impression the calls have been slanted in favor of San Jose, but when I ran the numbers, Pittsburgh's had 6 PPs and San Jose's had 6 PPs (one of them a double minor).

And the Pens have had 7 penalties called on them to 6 for San Jose.

So I guess it's not as slanted as I thought.

Just because PPs are even doesn't mean calls/noncalls are even. Pens have had the better of the play and could have gotten a few more calls if they were holding to some standard above prison rules (which Emrick alluded to after one egregious non-call "Alcatraz is only an hour away").

Good point- hadn't thought of that.

[SteelPro]

Saturday Night was another great example of the stupidity, So Thornton gets a FOUR MINUTE PENALTY? Why, because of the little scratch on his face that he wouldn't have gotten if he wore a shield? No scratch and that is 2 minutes less? that's idiocy! Meanwhile, Crosby gets literally tackled right in front of the goal and that's OK? Too much weird BS, hockey officiating and rules are almost as illegitimate and fake wrestling-like as the NFL is now.

It is absurd that the presence of blood makes the penalty for an infraction stiffer. As ridiculous as the NFL rules have become at least the penalty is standard. It isn't 15 yards for a hit to the head, but 25 yards if the guy wobbles off the field with a concussion.

[Steelersfan]

I don't have a problem with the NHL calls normally, as long as it's even. Even the non-calls in the playoffs/Cup final, again as long as its even for both teams.

In this instance however, it is hurting the Pens to a degree, because they are BLATANTLY going out of their way not to commit a penalty or retaliate because of the Sharks PP skills. So the Sharks are realizing the Refs are letting them play and MUGGING the Pens, all the while, the Pens are "walking-on-eggshells" a bit to stay out of the box.

There was a game the Sharks were throwing punches, one just barely missed Malkin. There were a few Baseball swing high-sticks by the Sharks not called in this series. Granted the Pens had a few that were let go too. But to call a 4 min double minor Sat night was ridiculous. It wasn't a high stick at all. It was a swipe at the puck low that caught and rode up Thortons stick. Granted, you must have control of your stick. Granted, regular season it could be called for a 4 min penalty. But the way the games this series have been played, giving them 4 minutes tilted the outcome. That high stick was blatant NON intentional. 2 minutes sure ok. 4 minutes the way this series is being referee'ed, NO WAY. The way the series is being attempted to be non-called is giving the flopping/desperate team a tilted advantage.

Don't want to whine though. The Pens have the ability to kick their ass anyway. They just got to go out and pummel Jones with shots and for god sake, have people go to the net. I don't know how many times I've seen them dig pucks out or still a puck in the Sharks end and have NOBODY to pass the puck too. No help or backup.

[Nick79]

... that was a strictly "NHL playoffs" non call. "Gotta play through it" nonsense.

You can ridicule me all you want, but when real penalties happen and the ref swallows the whistle, that equals THE REFEREES DECIDING THE OUTCOME, not the players. This bullshit about "let the players decide" is just that, BULLSHIT! If the players where deciding the outcome, a player getting the benefit of drawing a whistle he deserved is exactly the definition of a player deciding the outcome. For example, Crosby using his superior skill to squirm between two mucker/grinder, slug, losers from Ontario and getting tackled because they can't keep up with him, is absolutely a player (#87) deciding the outcome by getting a whistle.

[Nick79]

I don't have a problem with the NHL calls normally, as long as it's even. Even the non-calls in the playoffs/Cup final, again as long as its even for both teams.

But that sort of thinking tends to benefit the less skilled teams. A team with more skill in theory, should be able to draw more penalties.

[Donnie Brasco]

... that was a strictly "NHL playoffs" non call. "Gotta play through it" nonsense.

You can ridicule me all you want, but when real penalties happen and the ref swallows the whistle, that equals THE REFEREES DECIDING THE OUTCOME, not the players. This bullshit about "let the players decide" is just that, BULLSHIT! If the players where deciding the outcome, a player getting the benefit of drawing a whistle he deserved is exactly the definition of a player deciding the outcome. For example, Crosby using his superior skill to squirm between two mucker/grinder, slug, losers from Ontario and getting tackled because they can't keep up with him, is absolutely a player (#87) deciding the outcome.

I agree with you. I like to see talented players play and win. I appreciate hard work and big hits and all that, but if they are going to allow most of the nonsense that happens then the rulebook should be altered to reflect that. It's gotten out of control

[jeemie]

Pierre interviewed Crosby last night after the game and asked why he's been so dominant on faceoffs.

Sid got a half smile on his face and started with "I don't know...I think..." and then went on to explain well, the other guy just competes, so I compete, and my wingers help me out.

But I swear he wanted to say "I don't know...I cheat" but thought better of it.

[Ice]

Pierre interviewed Crosby last night after the game and asked why he's been so dominant on faceoffs.

Sid got a half smile on his face and started with "I don't know...I think..." and then went on to explain well, the other guy just competes, so I compete, and my wingers help me out.

But I swear he wanted to say "I don't know...I cheat" but thought better of it.

That might have beaten out the Kessel "breath" interview as the best of the playoffs, had it happened.

[Nick79]

... that was a strictly "NHL playoffs" non call. "Gotta play through it" nonsense.

You can ridicule me all you want, but when real penalties happen and the ref swallows the whistle, that equals THE REFEREES DECIDING THE OUTCOME, not the players. This bullshit about "let the players decide" is just that, BULLSHIT! If the players where deciding the outcome, a player getting the benefit of drawing a whistle he deserved is exactly the definition of a player deciding the outcome. For example, Crosby using his superior skill to squirm between two mucker/grinder, slug, losers from Ontario and getting tackled because they can't keep up with him, is absolutely a player (#87) deciding the outcome.

I agree with you. I like to see talented players play and win. I appreciate hard work and big hits and all that, but if they are going to allow most of the nonsense that happens then the rulebook should be altered to reflect that. It's gotten out of control

It gets to the point in some of these games that it seems like people are just tackling each other with no consequence and whoever gets lucky has more bounces go their way when they toss the puck toward the net as they are being mauled, wins 3-2 or 2-1, and it seems like more luck than skill.

[Nick79]

Pierre interviewed Crosby last night after the game and asked why he's been so dominant on faceoffs.

Sid got a half smile on his face and started with "I don't know...I think..." and then went on to explain well, the other guy just competes, so I compete, and my wingers help me out.

But I swear he wanted to say "I don't know...I cheat" but thought better of it.

I was thinking of that too as I watched that. I wish he had a little more 'tude and just said, "I cheat?, uh...just kidding!" then gave the real explanation.

[Nick79]

I like Sid, you can't win! I always try to give the poor character, bad guy players the benefit of the doubt, and people get pissed at me for it. here we have Sid who is squeaky clean, totally proper, always seems to be scripted with polite, PC answers, and a lot of people hate him for it.

[Louis Lipps Service]

I like Sid, you can't win! I always try to give the poor character, bad guy players the benefit of the doubt, and people get pissed at me for it. here we have Sid who is squeaky clean, totally proper, always seems to be scripted with polite, PC answers, and a lot of people hate him for it.

No, we get pissed at you for rehashing the same points over and over and over again.

Like this thread, for instance.

[jeemie]

I like Sid, you can't win! I always try to give the poor character, bad guy players the benefit of the doubt, and people get pissed at me for it. here we have Sid who is squeaky clean, totally proper, always seems to be scripted with polite, PC answers, and a lot of people hate him for it.

Who said they hated Sidney Crosby?

[V DUB]

I like Sid, you can't win! I always try to give the poor character, bad guy players the benefit of the doubt, and people get pissed at me for it. here we have Sid who is squeaky clean, totally proper, always seems to be scripted with polite, PC answers, and a lot of people hate him for it.

No, we get pissed at you for rehashing the same points over and over and over again.

Like this thread, for instance.

Thank you.

JFC, Nick you're a broken record. Pens are doing pretty fucking well & have adapted to the calls.

Enjoy it. This team is built on playing through it....finally.

Bitching with one win to go, is fucking mind boggling to me. This coming from a FL kid. Sack up dude.

[Nick79]

I like Sid, you can't win! I always try to give the poor character, bad guy players the benefit of the doubt, and people get pissed at me for it. here we have Sid who is squeaky clean, totally proper, always seems to be scripted with polite, PC answers, and a lot of people hate him for it.

No, we get pissed at you for rehashing the same points over and over and over again.

Like this thread, for instance.

You're the one talking about a poster and not the topic. And who is this "WE" that is getting pissed, I see only "YOU" complaining?

[Nick79]

I like Sid, you can't win! I always try to give the poor character, bad guy players the benefit of the doubt, and people get pissed at me for it. here we have Sid who is squeaky clean, totally proper, always seems to be scripted with polite, PC answers, and a lot of people hate him for it.

Who said they hated Sidney Crosby?

I should clarify, a lot of other fans throughout the league, Caps fans absolutely hate him, there's this Facebook page about hockey in general, all the other teams fans just rip him mercilessly. I get that they hate him most because he beats them, but they are more ugly going to a total lack of respect.

[Nick79]

I like Sid, you can't win! I always try to give the poor character, bad guy players the benefit of the doubt, and people get pissed at me for it. here we have Sid who is squeaky clean, totally proper, always seems to be scripted with polite, PC answers, and a lot of people hate him for it.

No, we get pissed at you for rehashing the same points over and over and over again.

Like this thread, for instance.

Thank you.

JFC, Nick you're a broken record. Pens are doing pretty fucking well & have adapted to the calls.

Enjoy it. This team is built on playing through it....finally.

Bitching with one win to go, is fucking mind boggling to me. This coming from a FL kid. Sack up dude.

The fact that they're winning this year, doesn't change what's right and what's wrong. Not enforcing the rules actually hurts the product.

[jeemie]

I should clarify, a lot of other fans throughout the league, Caps fans absolutely hate him, there's this Facebook page about hockey in general, all the other teams fans just rip him mercilessly. I get that they hate him most because he beats them, but they are more ugly going to a total lack of respect.

I can tell you why Philly fans hate him...for two reasons:

a) They wish they had him. If he was a Flyer, they'd instantly love him.
b) He has a reputation as a whiner. The last few seasons- that reputation was deserved.

[Nick79]

I should clarify, a lot of other fans throughout the league, Caps fans absolutely hate him, there's this Facebook page about hockey in general, all the other teams fans just rip him mercilessly. I get that they hate him most because he beats them, but they are more ugly going to a total lack of respect.

I can tell you why Philly fans hate him...for two reasons:

a) They wish they had him. If he was a Flyer, they'd instantly love him.
b) He has a reputation as a whiner. The last few seasons- that reputation was deserved.

A superstar's job is to whine in order to make refs feel pressure to give them calls, especially in sports like NFL or NBA where they cater to stars.

It's the same with any player, a lot of Steelers fans say they hated Ray Lewis and "would never want him on the Steelers", bullshit, if they had him, a HofF MLB, they'd lick his asshole.

[R_S]

that's some gross projecting Nick.