NHL - Sports Rumors

Wed Oct 17, 2007 7:12 am EDT

Flyers being singled out?

By Joe Zedalis

Steve Downie

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A fair number of Philadelphia Flyers fans have raised the concern that the dual suspensions of Jesse Boulerice and Steve Downie may have more to do with their wearing orange and black than the misdeeds they committed on the ice. Both players deserved stiff suspensions and got them for reckless head or face shots.
But how will the NHL discipline the "usual suspects" around the league in the future? Guys like the Ducks' Chris Pronger? And why did the NHL decide that no action was necessary against the Predators' Jordin Tootoo for taking a run at, and delivering a head shot to, the Coyotes' Daniel Winnik?

Some believe the Flyers already are being singled out by the NHL at the expense of other teams if you consider the Tootoo hit. Justice can't be blind. All head shots need to be punished regardless of the uniform or the player wearing it.

Source: Philadelphia InquirerNew Window

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67 Comments

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  1. smokeythebear503
    1. Posted by smokeythebear503 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:30 pm EDT

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    If I were the Flyers I'd keep encouraging the dirty play. They're on pace to have as many points in 35 games as they did in all 82 last year.
  2. Eric B
    2. Posted by Eric B Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:57 pm EDT

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    The dirty play has to stop...if you get known for being a "dirty" player...the league will punish you harder for everything...GO WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  3. Kerry Frasers Hair Gel
    3. Posted by Kerry Frasers Hair Gel Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:03 pm EDT

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    How about Andy Sutton's elbow to the head?
    0 game suspension: http://youtube.com/watch?v=FFp2dlMrv0c
    20 game suspension: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LItMqF6_G0I
    3 game suspension: http://youtube.com/watch?v=07lzWueATqw
    25 game suspension: http://youtube.com/watch?v=8-Y3x0mr_Ik
    The only difference, orange and black jerseys.
  4. Bill
    4. Posted by Bill Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:32 pm EDT

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    The game can live w/o the Head Hunters. Send them to England...Go Wings !!!!
  5. D M
    5. Posted by D M Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm EDT

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    "0 game suspension: http://youtube.com/watch?v=FFp2dlMrv0c"
    20 game suspension: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LItMqF6_G0I "
    Should have got more than 0 games but the flyers version was a lot more extreme and deserves the 20.
    20 game suspension: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LItMqF6_G0I "
    3 game suspension: http://youtube.com/watch?v=07lzWueATqw
    25 game suspension: http://youtube.com/watch?v=8-Y3x0mr_Ik
    Don't agree with the 25 here.
  6. leskch00
    6. Posted by leskch00 Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:49 pm EDT

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    I have the answer! Colin Campbell hates the Flyers! He hated them as a player cause Sultz would beat his A$$ when he was a Pen and Holgrem knocked him out cold and broke his jaw when he was a Detroit! They is a history there and the biggest liar is Campbell himself. What will Jagr or Crosby get when they use their sticks to carve someones face.
  7. leskch00
    7. Posted by leskch00 Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:49 pm EDT

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    i have the answer! colin campbell hates the flyers! he hated them as a player cause sultz would beat his a$$ when he was a pen and holgrem knocked him out cold and broke his jaw when he was a detroit! they is a history there and the biggest liar is campbell himself. what will jagr or crosby get when they use their sticks to carve someones face.
  8. Dan the TEA Man
    8. Posted by Dan the TEA Man Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    As a flyers fan, I have no problem with these suspensions, in and of themselves. Boulerice, in particular, was almost prosecuted for hitting a player while in the minors. However, the NHL should treat similar hits by other players equally harshly. The days of the Broad Street Bullies are long gone; the current version of the NHL is about speed, not toughness.
  9. boristhespider
    9. Posted by boristhespider Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    IF hockey has become a bunch pansies that play then I refuse to watch. Perhaps shots to the face and head are not needed, however have any of us arm chair centers actually played hockey? There is a difference between playing and watching. When you play you get caught up in the game and you do what you have to do. Unfortunately that may lead to someone getting injured and you getting to ride the pine for a few games. With that being said I do believe if rough and dangerous plays are going to lead to suspensions then the entire league should be watched and not just one team. These Flyers are not really the Flyers of old where they would just as soon take some ones head then score.
  10. yeaaaaaaaaaa
    10. Posted by yeaaaaaaaaaa Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:05 pm EDT

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    Racism against the black and orange men
    go flyers
  11. Fukka Yu
    11. Posted by Fukka Yu Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:37 pm EDT

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    Do i think the flyers players should have been suspended.... Downie not really, Boulerice no doubt. The problem is that players on other teams have done very similar things on the ice with little to no consequence. Where is the outrage over TooToo's attempt to injure another player? The Flyers are treated differently, and there is no doubt they are being singled out by the league. The bar has been set with suspensions, too bad the only team being measured is the Flyers.
    Kerry frasers hair gel = hey Ceez!
  12. jtb3rd
    12. Posted by jtb3rd Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:43 pm EDT

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    Boulerice and Downie were and should have been suspended but how the hell does Tootoo get off with nothing? That is a complete joke and the reason the NHL will never be taking seriously. Good job Colin, your showing your true colors now.
  13. AJB
    13. Posted by AJB Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:42 pm EDT

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    the return of the broad street bullies is not sitting well w/ the league..the league has move away from a violent physical force to high speed open end to end action..this is due to the european influences in the game and the league trying to promote its stars as magician on ice rather than tough guy personnas!!
  14. Kerry Frasers Hair Gel
    14. Posted by Kerry Frasers Hair Gel Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:03 pm EDT

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    hey Fukka Yu
    Kerry frasers hair gel = hey Ceez!
    i stole Ceez's sig, thought it was fitting
  15. Russell M
    15. Posted by Russell M Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:42 pm EDT

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    Flyers fans are notorious for whinning about the refs. I frankly am sick of it. As far as rough play - if you dont like rough play in the game of hockey then go watch a game of jacks. Maybe you will enjoy that more. Its a rough game and sometimes it gets bloody. They have already neutered the sport enough already between expansion and curbing almost all contact. Its no wonder players get frustrated and snap every now and again. If the refs would just let them play this wouldnt happen.
  16. A Yahoo! User
    16. Posted by A Yahoo! User Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:29 am EDT

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    This team isn't a throwback team of the 70's. The toughest players the Flyers have, in my opinion, are Upshall and Kapanen. Those guys are gritty and can do it all. Whatever Flyer fan thinks that Boulerice or Downie has the right to speak on behalf of the team is sorely mistaken. Only the guys wearing the "C" or an "A" has the ability to speak on behalf of the team. Very rarely do 4th line players or up-from-the-AHL players earn the right and respect of the team to try and maul an opposing player. They got what they deserve, but Tootoo should also be in line for a similar suspension. This is more of a media-centric view of the Flyers than is reality. Any NHL player has the capability to hit high, spear, crosscheck and play dirty, it's not just players on the Flyers.
  17. Kyle
    17. Posted by Kyle Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:48 pm EDT

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    They should bring back the Broad Street Bullies...and I still hate the Flyers...Go Bruins.
  18. Derek F
    18. Posted by Derek F Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:56 pm EDT

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    It's the Flyers own fault for letting Boulerice play, though it was only because of injuries that he was forced into the lineup. Downie didn't really deserve twenty games, but what Boulerice did was ridiculous. I'm glad they had enough sense to put him on waivers - he probably shouldn't play in the NHL again until he proves he can avoid stupid, reckless hits. As for the Flyers being singled out, I don't think that's really the case. There's a goon mentality lingering from the 70's but both of those hits were dangerous and both deserved suspensions.
  19. stuandallie
    19. Posted by stuandallie Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:45 pm EDT

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    Derek F,
    If they are not being singled out, then why wasn't Tootoo suspended, for leaving his feet to deliever an elbow to the head? Were both hits dangerous? Yes! Downie's didn't deserve 20 games, just because he has a history doesn't mean it was intent to injur. Maybe 10 games, but 20? Come on Colin Cambell.....
  20. Robbie
    20. Posted by Robbie Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    After the season the Flyers had last year, they needed to crack some skulls to send a message this year. This is a completely different team. It is really similar to the Broad Street Bullies with the mix of speed, goal scoring, & physical play this year's team has. The Flyers were embarassed by a # of teams last year, the message has been sent that this is not the same team. When you play the Flyers, get ready to be beat physically & on the scoreboard.
  21. joe p
    21. Posted by joe p Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:32 pm EDT

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    Goon Mentality? Look at the roster. The makeup of the team is not much different than any others. The Flyers have two guys that fight (Cote and Eager). Cote is not even a regular in the lineup. They have plenty of good skaters and skill on our team. The Boulerice "hit" deserved the suspension and he blows to boot. But Downie and 25 games? You gave him the same amount as Chris Simon who hit someone in the face with a stick. We'll see Campbell's true colors when one of the "golden boys" of the NHL does something.
  22. puddin
    22. Posted by puddin Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:59 pm EDT

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    http://youtube.com/watch?v=FFp2dlMrv0c
    This isn't the only time that Armstrong has led with his elbow either. He does this all the time with guys coming around the back of the net. He hit Jeff Carter the same way didn't even get a penalty, but Carter got up and gave him a shot and got 2.
    Got to look after Sidney right?
  23. A Yahoo! User
    23. Posted by A Yahoo! User Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:24 pm EDT

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    One of the "Golden Boys" did something last year in the Finals - Daniel Alfredsson - when he shot the puck at Scott Niedermayer. As long as plays like that continue to go on and left unchecked, the rules and regulations will wither off and be considered "ok" and hits like McSorley/Brashear and Hunter/Turgeon will be the only types of actions that will demand repercussions. It's who you are and who you know that will keep you from getting suspended. The guys that put people in the seats, like Alfredsson, the league will look the other way because it was only in the "heat of the moment" or Nieds said something about his mother or some crap and deserved retaliation. Maybe when someone dies on the ice will the rules be enforced to all players who break them.
  24. EL Matador
    24. Posted by EL Matador Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:10 pm EDT

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    I just Bought my " FREE DOWNIE " T-shirt in the parking lot of the Wac.
  25. HeatherS
    25. Posted by HeatherS Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:25 pm EDT

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    Hockey players are not pansies. I DO play hockey, in fact, I play in net, and it's not about an intent to injure. No matter what position you play or what level, you can still play safe and smart. I am a huge Flyers fan, and I totally agree with the suspensions. I also agree with Boulerice being put on waivers. The Flyers aren't about head hunting and we don't need that. Yes, I think the penalties should be equal across the league, and no I don't think we should get rid of the other physical play. If you are a good, focused player, you shouldn't have to take someone's head off to get the job done. It's supposed to be about the sport of hockey, not cheap shots.

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