Rangers head coach John Tortorella delivered a verbal uppercut to Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik and the Penguins organization following a knee-on-knee collision with center Derek Stepan. The replays clearly show Orpik sticking his knee out to make contact with Stepan and Tortorella did not take kindly to it.
"It's a cheap, dirty hit," Tortorella said. "I wonder what would happen if we did it to their two whining stars over there. I wonder what would happen. I'm anxious to see what happens with the league with this. Just no respect amongst players. None. It's sickening."
There have been no reports on the severity of Stepan's knee injury, but he did not return to the game in the few minutes remaining on the clock.
There have been no reports on the severity of Stepan's knee injury, but he did not return to the game in the few minutes remaining on the clock.
Tortorella has become the third significant person this week to openly criticize the Penguins after analyst Mike Milbury and Philadelphia Flyers assistant coach Craig Berube. Tortorella did not stop there.
"It's one of the most arrogant organizations in the league. They whine about this stuff all the time and look what happens. It's ridiculous. But they'll whine about something else over there won't they? Starting with their two (expletive) stars."
"It's one of the most arrogant organizations in the league. They whine about this stuff all the time and look what happens. It's ridiculous. But they'll whine about something else over there won't they? Starting with their two (expletive) stars."
I wish there was a camera on me as I watched Tortorella speak on the postgame show. Eyebrows raised, jaw dropped.
It is about time there are strong words being thrown out at the Penguins. It is about damn time.
You might not think so, but I take a ton of heat from Penguins fans every single time I say anything anti-Sidney Crosby. There is no doubt Crosby is the best player in the NHL. None. Yet he constantly whines every time someone just simply breathes on him.
The most recent incident came this past Sunday in a game against the Flyers. He put a late hit on rookie Brayden Schenn along the boards. Seconds later, Schenn repaid the favor by crosschecking Crosby in the back. An eye for an eye. You're even, right? Nope. Crosby looked around for the nearest official. Much to my dismay, Schenn did not receive a penalty.
This points exactly to Tortorella's comments tonight. It seems the Penguins' mentality is: "we can do it to you, but you can't do it to us."
Finally it is not us, the fans, that are openly barking harsh words at Pittsburgh. People are taking notice and tensions are boiling over. I'm surprised it's taken so long.
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