” As players we must accept responsibility for our actions and I am no different but I did not intend to injure Brian and that is why I was disappointed with the NHL’s decision yesterday. ”

The NHL’s decision was for you to take responsibility for your actions.

” I will play hard, play with passion and play with respect for my teammates, opponents and fans. ”

Oh, he didn’t finish his sentence, it should finish with:

“We respect everybody here in the locker room and outside, but over there [on the ice], we play for our team, and we make some hard hits, and sometimes, you get hurt. That’s a hockey game.”

I mean come on, it was really just a push and he fell.

Posted by Nathan from BC on 03/16/10 at 12:57 PM ET

“I did not intend to injure Brian”

Or Daniel….

Or Dustin….

Or Rich….

Or Patrick….

Or Jamie….

Or Sergei….

Or Tim….

Or Dennis…..

Posted by Tony from Virginia Beach, VA on 03/16/10 at 01:06 PM ET

Queue the whiny Pens fans.

Posted by WingsFanInBeanLand from Lidstrom's head telling him 1 more year on 03/16/10 at 02:05 PM ET

Hey, I’m just repeating what I’m sure Alex said after every one of those “passionate” hits…

Posted by Tony from Virginia Beach, VA on 03/16/10 at 02:09 PM ET

Gotta hand it to the Capitals PR department; they’ve got some good writers.

Posted by JMK from South Central PA on 03/16/10 at 02:18 PM ET

The hit wasn’t really dirty per say, but it’s one of those plays that should have been avoided. As JJ said the other day, if you want to play the man in that situation you ride him into the end boards… ya don’t give a careless-lazy shove. Following through on a check (aka riding him into the boards) all but ensures the other guy isn’t sliding headlong into the boards as well as eliminates him from continuing to battle for the puck in normal circumstances.
Intent to injure or not, it’s these types of plays where some judgement needs to be used. This is going to be a gray area for the league to rule on… it’s really up to the guys on the ice & AO’s proven time and time again that he choses to make these types of plays and feels he’s in the right.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 03/16/10 at 02:29 PM ET

I don’t think any of us can argue the fact that the league, in general, has made some horrendously inconsistent disciplinary decisions lately.

Posted by JMK on 03/16/10 at 02:34 PM ET

Gotta hand it to the Capitals PR department; they’ve got some good writers. Posted by JMK from South Central PA

Sure do, if you read at the second grade level.

Posted by AYKM on 03/16/10 at 02:44 PM ET

Queue the hockey fans that want intelligent hockey conversation.
Shit, not quite enough to form a queue.

Cue whiney Wings fans whining about whiney Pens fans.

Posted by Nathan from BC on 03/16/10 at 02:56 PM ET

with respect for my teammates, opponents

shoving somebody into the boards from behind is not respect.  doesn’t he grasp this simple concept?

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 03/16/10 at 02:59 PM ET

I mean come on, it was really just a push and he fell

the expected result of pushing someone from behind when they’re not expecting it, while you are traveling at a high rate of speed on a slippery surface, is that they will fall.  with a few feet of the boards, that is dangerous.  why can’t people understand this?  THE EXACT SITUATION MATTERS.  pushing him in the back somewhere else on the ice under different circumstances may not be more than an interference penalty.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 03/16/10 at 03:03 PM ET

“ I mean come on, it was really just a push and he fell “

That line from me above was and is sarcasm.

Posted by Nathan from BC on 03/16/10 at 03:27 PM ET

” I mean come on, it was really just a push and he fell “

That line from me above was and is sarcasm.

oh LOL

I guess my sarcasm detector isn’t working today.

I was about to post “suppose I push you off a bridge, it was just a push and you fell, right?”

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 03/16/10 at 03:29 PM ET

THE EXACT SITUATION MATTERS.  pushing him in the back somewhere else on the ice under different circumstances may not be more than an interference penalty.

Well said.

Kurtis Foster was still missing games in October 2009 from the Mitchell “push” in October 2008 that shattered his femur (thickest bone in the body and not something that can usually be broken from anything less devastating than a car wreck or a bullet).

“Pushing” a guy into the boards at 27 mph, from 10 feet away is not, magically, more innocuous than “checking” a guy into the boards at 27 mph, from 10 feet away. The amount of force conferred to the receiving player is exactly the same.

Posted by steve on 03/16/10 at 03:30 PM ET

“suppose I push you off a bridge, it was just a push and you fell, right?”

I would excuse you for the passion and energy you put forth while doing so.

Posted by Nathan from BC on 03/16/10 at 03:59 PM ET

Sure do, if you read at the second grade level.

This excludes about 95% of all Pens fans, so we’re good.

I kid, I kid.  It’s only around 85%.

Posted by Right Winger from Washington, DC on 03/16/10 at 04:32 PM ET

Hahahaha! You just said 5%, then changed to 15% of Pens fans are excluded from only being able to read at a second grade level! You put the joke on yourself by accident! I like it!

Though excluding 15% of Pens fans from reading at a second grade level means that it’s possible they read at only a first grade level, or conversely, they read at a higher than second grade level.

I’m in the second demographic! Yay! Smart as a Caps fan!

Posted by Nathan from BC on 03/16/10 at 04:53 PM ET

Classy statement by Ovy.  Again, this shows why Ovy and the Caps are first class.

More than I can say for Cooke and what he said about Savard.

Posted by Bruce from DC on 03/16/10 at 05:36 PM ET

Classy statement by Ovy.  Again, this shows why Ovy and the Caps are first class.

I’m assuming this was sarcasm too, right?

Right?

Anyone?!?

Posted by Garth on 03/16/10 at 05:42 PM ET

Why would it be sarcasm?  It was a classy statement by Ovy and the Caps organization.

What statements did the Pens organization put out about Savard?  None.  Shows why the Pens are a 2nd class organization.

Posted by Bruce from DC on 03/16/10 at 05:48 PM ET

Bruce from DC,

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=521013

And can you believe it those words are actually from Penguins’ players mouths into a microphone, not faxed out by their PR department?

*#$%@& me I fell flat into the ocean. Bruce, you have your rod ready?

Posted by Nathan from BC on 03/16/10 at 05:59 PM ET

Classy to pretend you’re taking responsibility for your reckless, dangerous play and then, one line later, saying you’re not going to change your reckless, dangerous play?

Talking about the respect you have for your team and opponents in a statement about the suspension you received, depriving your team and fans of your presence in two games because you shoved a guy face first into the board when he didn’t have the puck?

Yeah, that’s about the definition of classy, isn’t it?

I don’t recall Bylsma blindly defending Cooke and making up lies about the hit they way Boudreau did (he didn’t hit him from behind, he didn’t extend his arms, etc)

REAL classy.

Posted by Garth on 03/16/10 at 06:04 PM ET

I don’t recall Bylsma blindly defending Cooke and making up lies

And you know what?  Maybe he did, I honestly don’t know.  But to call this statement classy is absolutely ridiculous.

Posted by Garth on 03/16/10 at 06:06 PM ET

“Right now my thoughts are with Savard and I hope he makes a speedy recovery.”

Whoa.  What a great speech by Cooke showing how remorseful he is about almost killing a player on the ice.

What did your coach say about Savard?  Not much.  Seemed like your coach and Crysby were more focused on the rule book.

Thanks for doing the research to prove my point, Nathan. 

Ovy and the Caps organization release a statement showing compassion about Campbell.

Cooke releases a half ass sentence about hoping Savard makes a speedy recovery.  Bylsma and Crosby are concerned about the rule book. 

Thanks for the clarification!

Posted by Bruce from DC on 03/16/10 at 06:06 PM ET

““I am very sorry that Brian was injured and I hope he is able to return to his team soon. ”

“ As players we must accept responsibility for our actions and I am no different          but           I did not intend to injure Brian and that is why I was disappointed with the NHL’s decision yesterday. ”

Quittin’ time folks, talk to y’all tomorrow.

Posted by Nathan from BC on 03/16/10 at 06:20 PM ET

Oh, the “but” in the above post was supposed to be sperate from the rest.

“ As players we must accept responsibility for our actions and I am no different
but
I did not intend to injure Brian and that is why I was disappointed with the NHL’s decision yesterday. ”

Posted by Nathan from BC on 03/16/10 at 06:21 PM ET

What is your point, Nathan?  Ovechkin’s hit is made several times throughout the course of a hockey game.  It was unfortunate that Campbell’s toe of his skate was caught in a rut on the ice.  I don’t believe Ovechkin intended to injure Campbell.

However, when you go full speed and attempt to take off another player’s head without him even knowing you are there, then you have to question what Cooke’s intentions were when he tried to decapitate Savard.

Posted by Bruce from DC on 03/16/10 at 06:28 PM ET

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=521013

And can you believe it those words are actually from Penguins’ players mouths into a microphone, not faxed out by their PR department?

*#$%@& me I fell flat into the ocean. Bruce, you have your rod ready?

does the Penguins organization not employ editors?  sheesh.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 03/16/10 at 06:34 PM ET

While I may not agree with Ovechkin’s antics on the ice, I will admit that the Geico commercial where he drives the zamboni into the boards and Mike Green says he did it on purpose is mildly amusing. Maybe if the hockey thing doesn’t pan out ...

Posted by IronFist on 03/16/10 at 07:27 PM ET

Ovy and the Caps organization release a statement showing compassion about Campbell.

Yeah, what wonderful people, paying lip service to respect and compassion.

Ovechkin’s hit is made several times throughout the course of a hockey game.

Ahh, I get it now.  You don’t watch hockey or undertand it at all.

At least Cooke pretended to care about Savard’s injury and attempted to reach out to Savard.  Ovechkin couldn’t even muster that much, all he could do was pretend he’s slightly sorry.

Posted by Garth on 03/16/10 at 08:11 PM ET

Garth,

You sound like another blind Pens fan that doesn’t know anything about the game.  You’ll keep thinking that Cooke is a great guy and tried to be the pope and Mother Theresa with Savard but let’s be real.  You know that Cooke is a dirty piece of crap.  The Pens organization did absolutely zero in issuing a statement about Savard.

Try all you want but you know and I know that Ovy and the Caps are right concerning this situation.  They were first class about what happened with Campbell. 

If it were Crysby’s head that Thornton tried taking off and he were out the rest of the season, you would be all up in arms and then maybe you’d be a smarter fan about the game.

Posted by Bruce from DC on 03/16/10 at 08:18 PM ET

Nice try Bruce, but I’m a Red Wings fan and the only team I hate more than the Pens is the Ducks, so take your assumptions about biases elsewhere.

Of COURSE Cooke is a dirty piece of crap.  What more do you want than for HIS OWN TEAMMATE to say ON CAMERA AND ON THE RECORD that it was a dirty hit and there’s no place for it in the game.

When exactly, did anyone on the Caps say that about Ovechkin’s hit?  I didn’t hear Alexander Semin or Mike Green publicly decry the hit.  All I heard was Bruce Boudreau with his BS excuses.  “His back wasn’t turned.”  Yes it was.  “He didn’t fully extend his arms.”  Yes he did.  “It didn’t deserve five and a game.”  You’re god damn right it did.

Concerned about the situation?  You’re f*cking delusional.  Ovechkin said he’s sorry Campbell was injured (translation: sorry he got suspended for a dirty hit) and said he’s not changing his game.

It’s too bad you’re in DC because it probably means you didn’t see the countless players from around the league, on camera, saying that Ovechkin is a reckless, dangerous player (hmmm, no Caps saying that though…they must have been too busy being concerned about Brian Campbell to address their reckless, dangerous Mr Moneybags).

Or COURSE Cooke’s hit was worse, and it’s absolutely pathetic that Colin Campbell couldn’t get his head out of his ass long enough to see that Cooke NEEDED a suspension, but that doesn’t change the fact that Ovechkin is a dirty, reckless, gutless player with no respect for anyone.

He knees and doesn’t care.  He slewfoots and is surprised he gets a penalty.  He shoves a guy from behind, breaking multiple bones, giving him a concussion and possibly ending his season and what does he do?  He says he’s not going to change the way he plays.  He says that IN HIS APOLOGY STATEMENT.  It’s just lucky for him (and Campbell) that Campbell went into the boards head first instead of at an angle or a concussion would’ve been the least of the concerns.  Maybe Ovechkin could’ve said that he wasn’t going to change his game while pulling away the tube that Campbell would be blowing into to make his wheelchair move.

Classy?  Yeah, he’s got class out the ass.

Posted by Garth on 03/16/10 at 09:53 PM ET

Bruce,

Nathan’s “point” is that apologizing does not make Cooke “classy” or his action any better. In Ovechkin’s case, the words are even more hollow, since he didn’t even take responsibility for his own actions.

Cooke said he hopes for a new rule and that, when in place, that he will follow it..

Ovechkin, in his statement, says, essentially, he’s going to keep doing what he’s doing whether it’s illegal or not.

I don’t buy Cooke’s mia culpa. I think he’s apologizing only because he doesn’t want to be suspended next time. Even if I did, Marc Savard is still in a room with no lights, staring at a wall, so it certainly doesn’t make things better in my eyes.

There’s nothing “classy” about anything Cooke has said or done. That Ovechkin pledges to continue breaking the rules: “I will continue to do what I have done since I was taught to play” is not only not “classy,” it’s both worse than what Cooke said and worse than if he (Ovechkin) had said nothing.

To put out a less conciliatory statement than even a villain like Cooke is the height of both classlessness and cluelessness.
\

And now for something else,

Bruce

The last few days I’ve come to the conclusion that you’re a plant: a Pens or Flyers fan who so hates the Capitals that he impersonates a Capital fan too obtuse to actually exist, in order to further discredit their fanbase.

I’ve seen too many exchanges like this to believe you’re real:

x: I’m sick of seeing the league not give out 10 game suspensions to guys like Ovechkin, Cooke and Richards.
Bruce: OV’s great. Why don’t you ever call Cooke dirty? You’re just jealous cause we’re gonna win the cup. We have the best record and that’s what that means.

Those kind of exchanges (along with some gelastic theory about Campbell being boarded by his own foot) lead me to the conclusion than that you’re really from Scranton or something and trying to make people from Washington look like jackasses. Cut the act, most of them deserve better.

Posted by steve on 03/16/10 at 09:55 PM ET

Brucey from DC at it again!  Didn’t you get enough sleep last night after your mother sent you to bed? A little cranky today? Some people making fun of your hero Ovechkin?

You know, I really don’t mind the intelligent discourse among hockey fans with some brains and a willingness to try to understand others’ opinions, but Bruce, you’re making Caps fans look really bad….. Or are you really just Bruce Boudreau?  Mmmmmm…....

Posted by VAHockeyFan on 03/16/10 at 09:57 PM ET

Steve:  The operative word in your post is “most” deserve better.  I’ve seen some incredibly stupid Caps posts over the last few days that make me think there are a lot of 30 year old unemployed guys living in DC in their parents’ basements and spending too much time on the internet.

Posted by VAHockeyFa on 03/16/10 at 10:05 PM ET

Nice try Bruce, but I’m a Red Wings fan and the only team I hate more than the Pens is the Ducks, so take your assumptions about biases elsewhere.

Ohhhh shit.  I don’t think we’ll be hearing from Brucey on this post again!  Hahahahahaha…

Posted by Flashtastick56 from Milford, CT on 03/16/10 at 11:22 PM ET

I’m sorry to have confused you with a Pens fan, Garth.  They are the whale turds of the NHL, not Wings fans.  At least the Wings have a respectable organization.

My point is more about being furious about how guys like Cooke can get away with what he did to Savard and yet a play that happens 10 times in a hockey game gets a player suspended because of a rut in the ice and the injury that came of it.  Cooke had intention to hurt Cooke and there was no suspension.  Ovy plays each shift hard like that and it was unfortunate for what happened to Campbell but there was no intention to hurt him there.

Flashtastick, like most Pens fans in this thread, you are wrong again.

Posted by Bruce from DC on 03/16/10 at 11:28 PM ET

Sorry, I meant Cooke had intention to hurt Savard.

Posted by Bruce from DC on 03/16/10 at 11:32 PM ET

This is a great comment and shows to his character. He is a big guy and plays with passion, some people will get hurt when you give a guy who is that size, that much ice time.

Posted by Hockey from Huntsville on 03/17/10 at 12:01 AM ET

They are the whale turds of the NHL

Whale turds that watched their team win a Stanley Cup last year.

Woo.

Ovy plays each shift hard like that

He played mighty hard in Game 7 last year.  Just ask Backstrom.  And he played just as hard in the beatdown the Canadians gave the Russians.

So, you might have to change that to, “Ovy plays each shift hard like that, unless the odds are against him and his team is going to get beat…and MattCookeIsADirtyPlayerAndHadIntentToInjureSavardButOvechkinJustPushedCampbellAndCampbell’sSkateGotCaughtInTheIceCindyCrysbyBettmanFixYanniWahhhh.”  Or something like that.

The last few days I’ve come to the conclusion that you’re a plant: a Pens or Flyers fan who so hates the Capitals that he impersonates a Capital fan too obtuse to actually exist, in order to further discredit their fanbase.

I’ve seen too many exchanges like this to believe you’re real:

x: I’m sick of seeing the league not give out 10 game suspensions to guys like Ovechkin, Cooke and Richards.
Bruce: OV’s great. Why don’t you ever call Cooke dirty? You’re just jealous cause we’re gonna win the cup. We have the best record and that’s what that means.

Those kind of exchanges (along with some gelastic theory about Campbell being boarded by his own foot) lead me to the conclusion than that you’re really from Scranton or something and trying to make people from Washington look like jackasses. Cut the act, most of them deserve better.

Amazing.  Absolutely amazing.

Posted by Flashtastick56 from Milford, CT on 03/17/10 at 12:08 AM ET

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 03/16/10 at 03:59 PM ET

That avatar is bitchin’.

Posted by Flashtastick56 from Milford, CT on 03/17/10 at 12:10 AM ET

My point is more about being furious about how guys like Cooke can get away with what he did to Savard and yet a play that happens 10 times in a hockey game gets a player suspended because of a rut in the ice and the injury that came of it.  Cooke had intention to hurt Cooke and there was no suspension.  Ovy plays each shift hard like that and it was unfortunate for what happened to Campbell but there was no intention to hurt him there.

Have you been around lately?  Lots of people are furious that Cooke didn’t get suspended.  That’s not what this is about.

This play does not happen ten times per game.  This play was boarding. Blame ruts or Campbell’s body position all you want, but Ovechkin has to know better than to push a guy from behind into the boards.  I believe that Ovechkin didn’t intentionally injure Campbell.  I also don’t care.  The play he did was cheap and dirty and needs to be removed from the game.  Yes, Cooke’s was cheaper and dirtier and also needs to be removed from the game.  That’s a completely different topic.

I may actually believe the plant theory because I can’t believe that there’s anybody who would willingly go so far as to complain about league bias favoring a third-liner over one of the best players in the game.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 03/17/10 at 07:59 AM ET

I’m starting to believe that Bruce indeed is a Poe (Poe’s law mostly deals with religioun and politics, but here it’s difficult to separate parody from sincerity as well). The antics of Bruce are exaggerated to a degree that I can’t take seriously, which reminds me of a Monty Python sketch.

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 03/17/10 at 10:17 AM ET