That's a load of horse dung. If Gilles doesn't get suspended for there rest of the season for what he did to Tangradi, but upholds this kind of crap, hockey isn't worth watching.

Elbowing Tangradi, then hammering him while he's on the ground injured, forget hockey, he should have been arrested for aggravated assault!

Garage league, indeed!

I certainly hope 24/7 wasn't the high water mark of the Pens season. Ever since that, we've dealt with a deluge of injuries, questionable tactics (coughCookecough), suspensions, high-visibility losses, and general inconsistent play on the ice.

The universe needs to balance itself out again, and soon.

In reference to the NHL, in the words of the Angry Video Game Nerd: "What where they THINKING??????"

The Penguins are going to pay the most for the league dropping the ball on this, big time.

Godard earned my respect tonight, Haley is nothing but a minor league low rent goon (who only had the balls to fight nonfighters). He shouldn't even sniff the ice in a NHL arena. The Islanders should be embarrassed he was even on the ice.

Godard knew the price he'd pay for leaving the bench to prevent the low rent goon from attacking his goalie, and he did it anyway.

My hat's off to you Mr Godard.

So, basically Godard is going to get suspended because the refs screwed up and allowed Haley to just skate away from the fight he was currently engaged in and towards Johnny? Godard protected his teammate when he shouldn't have had to.

I liked Capuano's "i didn't tell them to do anything, the players just responded emotionally" defense. What a tool.

the officials dropped the ball big time.

looks like the islanders had enough of being the joke of the league and erupted in violence.

i'm all for a good fight or two, but this was seriously an embarrassment. the NHL should, in all fairness, hand out about 12 suspensions/fines after this game. especially for the islanders players: taking a swing at talbots head from behind (remember bertuzzi on moore?), a player placing a dirty hit on tangradi (who looked concussed) then laughing at him from the doorway.

the islanders are a joke. philly has nothing on them.

this is definitely a pens season that faces adversity. in a strange way, this situation is far more interesting than a team coasting through the season.

even with the roster the pens have, they should, and will, make the playoffs.

don't worry. this team has many good years in front of them.


PS: Can't wait to hear Smizik complain about hockey fights in his "blog" yet again. This will please him very much.

I'm fine with the suspensions to Godard and Bylsma, should they be confirmed. Godard did what he had to do and now he and the coach will be punished by the rules. If they aren't, we are going to hear the usual "the Penguins are protected by the League" BS.

On the other hand, I seriously hope members of this joke called the "NY Islanders" get the warranted suspensions/fine. If they don't, I seriously don't know what to think about this League anymore.

I still didn't forget the best player in the world is out indefinitely with a concussion while the goons that injured him *on purposed* got away without even a slap on the wrist.

That should read "suspensions/fines" and "on purpose". Sorry.

This all makes me want to puke. Are the Islanders going to get away with all this?

When do they ref's get suspended for not doing their job? This is crazy!

If you ask me this entire game should be reviewed by the NHL and the ref's should be either suspended or fined. Its about time something be done about this. I am not against fighting in hockey, but i am against someone who is hurt having to worryabout getting beat on while he's down. You watch though... AGAIN, the ens will get the worst of this...this is just the norm....

I also want to add that if the game is getting to fast for the ref's then bring backthe red line or put a ref up high in a booth... It is impossible to compare previous great hockey players to players of today. Look how many more goals Lemiux could of had if you were allowed in the crease or didnt have a red line. Everyone wants to change something! WHY? Why now when you fight (SOME) players get a game misconduct while others dont... Its simple... If you wanna fight both guys should have to remove their helmets and fight... When the fall to the ice its over... Or should we just make it like what they are trying to do in the NFL and make it a sissy sport... "THESE PLAYERS GET PAID A LOT OF MONEY TO TAKE RISKS THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF".... our guys in our millitary make $20,000 a year to get put in harms way constantly....

Shero has to bring in some NHL talent today. He cannot allow this team to go into the next game without reinforcements and I do not mean the brawling type. This team needs a forward that can help them win some games until they get healthy. Kovalev makes some sense in that he should be had rather cheaply and the way things are going it doesn't make sense to give up too much future without having a better idea what will happen with 87. But do you want to commit that much of the available cap space to bring back AK27? I think he would do well here and could form a decent line with Staal and Dupuis until some others come back. Regardless of who, Shero needs to acquire someone today that can play with the team tomorrow. More call ups are not going to cut it. The season is really fragile right now and an acquisition is in order. Wake up RS!

Godard and Bylsma are going to get suspended, that's fine. If I'm Mario, I slip Godard a check for those 10 games of pay that he will be missing out on. Godard did what he had to do and without regard to his own consequences, that's what an enforcer does.

But the suspensions shouldn't stop there. Gilles should get a 10+ game suspension for elbowing Tangradi, then throwing punches while the kid is bent over with a concussion. What a P.O.S. His dad should be embarrassed. Haley should be suspended for sucker punching Talbot and instigating a fight with Johnson.

And lastly, the refs should be fined or suspended for not throwing Gilles and Haley out of the game in the second period when it was obvious they were going to take a run at every lightweight on the Pens roster.

This is a big weekend for Shero. It's obvious that we're not going to survive with WBS callups.

Quit your whining. The league has been protecting the p***y Penguins for 20 years, since the Lemieux days. Your goalie went out of his way to fight our goalie and put him out for the season and Talbot put out Comeau with a cheap shot. Sorry, but payback is a b***h. Your team got what they deserved. Go cry to Bettman.

We need an edit feature! I forgot that it was another POS, Martin, instead of Haley that sucker punched Talbot.

Props to Randy for caring enough about the dogcrap Islanders to troll on another team's fan blog. Must be one of their two dozen season ticket holders.

There is just so much that disgusted me about last night. I'd like to think that it's not just because my team was the one that took the brunt of the abuse. Like it was said last night, games like these are the ones that the haters reference when they bash the NHL. The league desperately needs new leadership. Everybody knew this was coming, this all could have been prevented. You think Roger Goodell would allow this to happen?

I didn't watch the game, but Engelland played, right? Why wasn't he answering the bell instead of chronic punching bags like Adams and Talbot?

RandyDolt, Ricky Glass was the instigator in the events leading up to The One-Punch Machine-Gun Brent Johnson knocking his silly a** out, then Johnson let up on him after he realized the devastation and took pity on his fragile a**. The isles have been a joke for 15 years so I guess this is the highpoint of the season for you, enjoy it d-bag. Spring will be here soon and you wont have to concern your feeble mind with hockey

I'm still confused about why the Islanders wanted "revenge" last night anyways? Was it for DiPietro getting Glass Joe'd or for Comeau flopping to the ice (only to return skating about 30 seconds later) on a clean hit from Talbot? A combination of the two? I guess I thought DiPietro was kinda responsible for putting himself in that position in the first place...

If the Islanders want revenge, they should go sucker punch Garth Snow for signing Glass Rick to that 15 year contract. Oh well, just 10 years to go.

Bones, you must understand those poor souls have no prospects, no goals in hockey other than avoid being embarrassed night in, night out.

They have to make up stuff in other to create a spark of interest in their season.

From a reasonable Isle fan: I'm disgusted with Gillies, and hell yes I agree what Martin did was stupid/def suspension worthy - however, let's not turn what happened into the Bertuzzi/Moore situation. It was not a direct punch from behind (nor did it go on after 3/4 games like the Canucks Avalanche circus did - if you remember, Moore already "got his" and the Avs just kept bullying game after game) - I love the physical aspect as much as the next hockey fan, but Gillies' antics was far worse than Martin's, and I'll never stand by what he did even though he's wearing my team's sweater -the guy seems genuinely nuts and I have no problem having him being used as an example. Let's see though, cause Campbell always messes things up.

With that said, I want Pittsburgh fans to remember where you were before you got Crosby, Malkin, Fleury and Staal. I'm not saying you were "dirty" I'm just saying that all good teams have to be bad before they're good. The Isles are going through that right now. So easy with the "joke" references lol because you should respect your early 2000's past . . . . I understand the anger is fresh from last night, but let's be realistic - unfortunately sometimes hockey turns into a circus, but it's not every game! In my opinion, the Isles did what they had to do, but some guys took it way too far and definitely deserve to be suspended.

Finally, I have respect for Johnson. It wasn't like he suckered DiPietro (he just simply has a sick punch! lol) but I remember seeing Johnson tapping DP after the fight b/c he clearly felt bad. Johnson could clearly take care of himself, and I don't think Godard needed to jump off the bench, but I thought Johnson showed class with the simple gesture of tapping DP - it was Fleury's laughing that I think put a lot of the Isles over the edge . . . .

Cheers guys

Yeah, must be tough to cheer for/play for what has become the black hole of the NHL. I have become a Nabokov fan in the last 14 hours.

I must admit . . . it's NOT easy!! lol but a diehard is a diehard - what are we to do? jump ship and turn to the Rangers!? Oh the horror . . . .

I appreciate your take Tom, but while the Pens certainly were terrible at that time, they were also a cash-strapped team trying to compete with the likes of the Rangers, Flyers, Avs, and Wings with no salary cap in place. The Islanders have been bottom-feeders since the cap era began, which is exactly what the cap is designed to prevent. Deciding to go caveman after you're up 6-0 says a lot about where the organization is at. Being up by a touchdown wasn't enough 'revenge'?

Lets be honest here... The pens didnt hve a team last night at all... The islanders got ahead and let the high of being ahead so many points convince them they were invincable.... Today im sure they will wake up ad realize they are still the worst team in the NHL... lets face it... They are terrible... Cant wait till next match up

did anyone here any player interviews or Bylsma interview post game?

hear... sorry

Tom89, very good post. i have visited other isles sites and fans are celebrating like they just won a cup, so its nice to hear from someone with some common-sense. Its just that usually in hockey a team responds to a situation and thats the end of it, they go back to playing hockey. the islanders just kept on long after their point was made. i understand the isles wanting to stick up for each other and settle the score after last week, i even get calling up Haley to goon it up a bit but Gilles actions were despicable. he should be gone for the year in my opinion, however what the league decides to do from here is anybody's guess. as for Fleury laughing, the guy has a perpetual grin on his face. other than when he was struggling at the beginning of this season, i've never seen him not smiling and cheesing.

Good point brought up by HNIC guy: if the NHL had dispensed discipline after the Habs-Bruins played Punch Out!!! the other night then maybe this all could have been avoided. Campbell needs to go.

I agree with the comments above about taking the Goddard suspension if the Isles get their just deserts.

I have to put most of the onus on the Isles. They had some B.S. chip on their shoulder, and just went out of control. Whether the coach orchestrated it or not, he's culpable for not controlling his own players. The "I didn't plan it, they just got emotional" argument is pure crap.

I won't even get started on the officiating crew...

It's in the NHL's best interest to nip this in the bud; who the hell want's to watch that crap every night? That's not hockey, it's Slap Shot.

Fair enough, Tom89. And rest assured I do remember the time when the Penguins were struggling at the bottom of the table.

When I called the Islanders a "joke" in my first comment, I wasn't talking about the standings, but about last night's circus. I would make the same comment regardless of the team.

(My second comment was a different story, but that was a reaction to Randy the Troll).

And I agree with those who say that circus was as much the NHL's fault as it was the Islanders'. The sport of hockey doesn't need that kind of display.

D. Sanchez, Engelland was tossed in the first melee along with Dupuis and Rupp. he didnt really gey his moneys worth however.

What does this have to do with Fleury? Depetro is the loser here just like his team of losers.
That team is a disgrace to hockey and we know about their ignorant fans. The pens are the elite team here playing a team that was eliminated on Halloween.
I do look for retribution in April it will be a fitting end to the reg. season.

Just got a tweet from an Islanders fan saying how proud he was of his team for exacting revenge last night. That makes my blood boil...

Boom Shaka, 100% agree about the isles coach - he didnt have the balls to man up and say "we wanted to send a message/stick up for each other/avenge our players/whatever", because if he didnt tell his team to go out there and settle things he isnt much of a coach. its hockey, the majority of fans understand why and how things happen, for a coach to stand up there and say he had nothing to do with it is insulting to any hockey fans intelligence.

After all the dust settles an injury-depleted team that is likely to make the playoffs is potentially down a couple more players and a team that is only competing for draft position walks away satisfied that justice was served (over and over and over again). Is this what the NHL wants professional hockey to become? Outside of the 1200 people that still cheer for the Islanders, did hockey fans enjoy watching that? Is watching the WWE on ice that entertaining? Maybe I'm sour grapes this morning, but seriously, that was pathetic on so many levels.

Maybe the NHL can hire Mean Gene Okerlund and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan to do commentary.

Not gonna happen, but if the NHL wants to make a statement and end crap like this all they have to do is hit the Islanders with a six figure fine and a draft pick or 2, kinda like what the NFL did to the Pats a couple years ago. Nothing stings worse for a team that is perpetually rebuilding than losing picks. Suspending guys that spend 2 minutes a night gooning it up does nothing.

Very interested to see what comes out of the league offices after this. I'm not crying about a couple Pens getting beat up - with Godard, Engelland and Rupp on the roster, the Pens can usually take care of themselves. If the Isles wanted to pick a fight with Talbot and make a run at Johnson, then fine. You've got your "revenge" for DiPietro getting tombstoned, now let's play some hockey.

I guess it's good that Crosby wasn't playing last night or he would have been sucker punched and slashed. Although I'd rather see him fight than Adams or Talbot.

Blame the league for this as well. They should have issued a stern warning prior to the game like they did when the B's played the Pens after the Cooke hit. They dropped the ball on this, then had basically "minor league" refs working the game last night. In all my years, I've never seen a team finish a game with 6 skaters and 2 goalies. I'm thinking Mario had it right when he called it a "garage league".

@Tom89, full respect -- if that's your team, that's your team. Call out the dummies on their behaviour (e.g. Matt Cooke) and hope the team moves on and up.

I think the joke references, at least from my perspective, target the team's perennial poor management (Milbury, Snow, etc.) rather than the team itself. And real fans know, just for example, that guys like Moulson or Tavares or Okposo or Bailey don't want to be bottom dwellers, no pro does, and I don't blame them for smelling blood last night with a depleted, tired team.

That said, I wish they could suspend the majority of both teams for 8+ games, with Gilles and Haley on the highest end of the spectrum. I haven't been more ashamed to be a hockey fan, and I'm certain that I'd feel the same way if the tables had been turned. I had that same sick feeling (less personalized) when the Habs/Bruins happened earlier in the week.

Deplorable, and even if it really hurts us, I hope the NHL uses this game as, as they called last night's effort, "a statement game"

And yes, full marks for Godard coming off the bench, even if Johnson can handle himself -- Tangradi was face down on the ice, Talbot was in no shape to help, and you don't know if the other goalie jumps in if Johnson's defending himself. I hope they don't drop it from 10, because I prefer they discourage players doing such things, but for him to do that knowing the consequences, well, that's a tough thing to do when you have a mortgage to pay, and shows he's got his team's back.

@Tom89 -- except one point, go back and watch the Bertuzzi video, then watch the Martin one -- same direction, same MO, same angle, the difference being Moore didn't detect the danger and Martin isn't 6'5", 245lbs.

It's the same crime, as I posted somewhere else. Different result, but same crime. And I'd say the same thing if it were one of our exalted stars committing it.

I echo most of the opinions here, especially Bones and bastage.

I agree, VERY similar to the Bertuzzi incident, the main difference being Max say it coming. And I also agree that Godard did the "right" thing given the situation.

I've never seen anything like the Gilles behavior. The charge, elbow, and boarding. The punching of a player who is holding his broken nose. Continuing punching the guy in the back of the head as he lays on the ice. And then to be screaming at the injured player from the runway. Simply unreal. He belongs in a jail cell.

Nice to hear a rational perspective form the Isles side Tom. Much appreciated.

And I hear ya Bones. I've been riled up over this since last night. I shot a few pucks around this morning as a release and ended up shattering my blade. Very indicative of my mood.

The Martin on Talbot hit could easily have ended in tragedy. And I have NO problem whatsoever with Godard leaving the bench. The more I hear/read/think about last night's "game" the more disgusted I am.

I totally understand some Isles "revenge". Their "franchise goalie" is out with a broken face. Granted that was a one man vs. one man battle that both sides agreed to. But it is what it is. I don't get the extreme goonery though.

My wife, who's a huge fan as well, brought up a great point. I kept referring to the "fights" last night. And she corrected me and said, "those weren't fights, they were attacks".

Gilles came off as a complete psycho last night. Looked like a guy that couldn't control himself no matter what the situation was. He was out to hurt people and nothing was going to get in his way. Gotta wonder about the mental state of somebody that can't get their emotions under control to that degree. This isn't "Fight Club", its a sport. My wife isn't a fan, but when she saw it on Sportscenter she pretty much echoed your wife's take, that it was an assault

Lets take a look at Micheal Haley going into last night

NHL Games played this year: 0

AHL Penalty minutes this year: 196

Its tough to look at this and think what happened last night was anything but premeditated. We all knew what was coming. Islanders management should share in any discipline handed down by the NHL.

Is Gilles...and his coach, getting nothing on this? Should there not be a Major suspension and fine for his initial head shot, and then the standing in the runnway acting like a drug crazed goon? I would like to see that clip again as to who is holding open the door there in the runway? Is that an Isles org person or just someone from the rink? He and Haley are the ones that sent this over the top and both left their disignated spots (off the ice and headed off the ice). Both should receive just as heavy a fine as Godard.

HAS ANYONE SEEN ANY INTERVIEWS FROM PENS?

According to tsn.ca, Bylsma will not be suspended, but he's still fined. Godard is missing 10 games as planned.

Gillies, Martin and Konopka are scheduled to meet with league officials around 5 p.m. this evening in regards to their cheap shots / poor behavior. It appears the league shares our belief that the assault on Pens players was premeditated.

Article: http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=353548

TY..... It didnt list Haley?

Did not have the "pleasure" of watching last night's "contest." I pretty much assumed this was going to happen when I saw Haley had been called up.

Admittedly, I like the rough stuff, but not the dirty stuff, hitting guys in the head, going knee-to-knee and exacting revenge.

They are going to have to start making this stuff hurt in the pocket to make it stop.

Randy, your revisionist history is refreshing. DiPietro started the entire thing and Johnson let up on him. He called Johnson out and as the saying goes, don't start something you cannot finish. Glad to see you have the anti-Pens "talking points" down.

Tom - much respect to you. Hopefully, Tavares can give you a taste of the playoffs again.

Based on Letang's post-game comments, "A guy who would challenge a goalie -- it's kind of a cheap move, so I think we're going to play our game, but there are going to be consequences," there will be revenge.

The team is giving Godard big props today. I was in a similar role when I played and guarantee that if Godard and Cooke play in April there will be some nastiness. Unfortunately, that is the code of the game.

Personally, I think the Islanders got the game they planned last night. They purposefully brought up a bruiser to do damage. If we're going to lose Goddard for 10 games, and Bylsma is going to get suspended, if there is any whiff of proof that the melees were premeditated (look at the instigator penalties), they should be not only fined as a team, but they should be stripped of the win and forfeit the two point to the Penguins.

That would speak even louder than suspensions.

Taking away the win doesn't hurt them KRC, taking away a draft pick or two will. I'm not talking about a first-rounder, but deprive them of a second or third and see what Mr. Wang has to say to his GM and coaching staff for making the personnel moves to allow this to happen. Isles coach has NO control over his team.

April 8th, bring it on. We aren't going anywhere so we can clear the benches on you if you start any s**t. Then what? Either we pound all your players on the ice or you come off and get suspensions for the playoffs. We have nothing to lose so you'd best let it end here. And you want to make fun of the Islanders? We won 4 Cups in a row, something your team will never do. And as to the moron who said Comeau was fine, he missed 4 games with a concussion and nothing happened to Talbot for the hit. If the league won't take care of it, the players will and they did.