The way I read/watched the play was that he was frustrated at himself for having two opportunities and getting the puck knocked off his stick both times.  You can read it as a hissy fit if you want but I think it was just a player showing emotion (like banging the glass after a big goal) and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Posted by Vikrant Grewal from Wollongong, Australia on 10/26/09 at 06:06 AM ET

a terrible example for any kid watching the game.

This is where a parent leans over and says, “See that? That’s kinda douchey to do. Don’t do that. Ok?

Actually, I see nothing “hissy fit” like about breaking your stick. It’s not like he was playacting to the crowd or the ref or anyone else. Just a moment of frustration that got the better of him.

And, er, owners and stick companies make a hella lot more money than Kesler will ever see. Losing one overpriced stick isn’t going to do anything. Any fuchtard who calls players who’ve sacrificed their lives “spoiled” should be forced to go through an NHL player’s day; survive a bag skate, corner drills and the weight room, or, tell them to their face that they’re spoiled.

Posted by Osrt on 10/26/09 at 06:09 AM ET

Worse?  Definitely the complaining.

I laughed.  At worst it was the same kind of silly display as a baseball player beating up on the water cooler after he’s frustrated with himself after a bad at bat.  A couple of seconds of amusement and then quickly forgotten.

It isn’t as though the stick wouldn’t have broken on the next shift, since these things break all the time.  It hardly rises to the status of “but what about the children?” level.  Not worthy of complaining about.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 10/26/09 at 06:09 AM ET

Someone call the wahmbulance for David.

Posted by Yankee Canuck on 10/26/09 at 06:52 AM ET

Player showing emotion, I like it.

Posted by Jarick on 10/26/09 at 08:49 AM ET

Either that, or the teams should fine him for that, a terrible example for any kid watching the game.

Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot. Why does everything these days have to be “for the kids?” Seriously. Get the hell over it. If you don’t like people showing emotion, don’t turn on the television. Don’t attend movies or live sporting events. Don’t leave the house.

Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 10/26/09 at 09:04 AM ET

So, he makes a lot of money, there fore he’s not allowed to get frustrated?

Yup.  Makes total sense.

And yeah, why is it a bad example for kids?  He didn’t hurt anyone, he just broke HIS OWN STICK.

“Hey son, if you get stopped on a break and you’re frustrated?  Don’t take it out on an inanimate object, ok?  That’s wrong!”

You know, it amazes me, people are on Frolov for not showing enough emotion when he gets benched and now people are bitching because Kesler’s showing too much emotion?  Wow, nobody’s ever gonna be happy, are they?

And for the record, Gilbert got the puck first, Canucks Announcer, THAT’s why there was no call.

Posted by Garth on 10/26/09 at 10:27 AM ET

it would be another story if they were down a goal or if it was the playoffs or something but up 2 goals with 7 mins left in the game this is a b*tch move.  i thought it made him look like a jackas$. 

but agreed with Orst - its up to the parents to explain to the kid why this is a b*tch move.

Posted by slammer on 10/26/09 at 10:30 AM ET

Did anyone stop to think that maybe his child was kidnapped and he had to score in order for the kidnappers to return his child unharmed?

I’m surprised all he did was break his stick…

Posted by Garth on 10/26/09 at 10:40 AM ET

Would it have been less disgusting if he broke the stick across another player’s face?

Posted by ]eff on 10/26/09 at 11:39 AM ET

should have been an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Gilbert’s sweep check on the puck was mint. of course the sportsnet morons say otherwise but the sweep check cleaning hit the puck first. Kesler gets up and acts like a goddamn baby. throw him in the box. if more guys start doing this the NHL is going to look more like basketball and soccer.

Posted by Death Metal Nightmare from MKE on 10/26/09 at 12:33 PM ET

LOL. You lost me when you said PENNER and team Canada together. Talk about an Oiler Homer.

Teach Stortini how to fight.

Posted by MegaNuck on 10/26/09 at 12:52 PM ET

Yeah, always blame the athlete.
This was clearly the stick’s fault.

Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 10/26/09 at 02:49 PM ET

Kesler?? Really? what have he done to make team canada? Id have stoll over him on any given day.

Hordichusk is a biggest turtle. remember last year that guy turtled out against smakintyre. maybe he could learn some souray(who one punched k.O some canuck last year.

Posted by Oilers Rock from Edmonton, Alberta on 10/26/09 at 06:43 PM ET

*#$%@& you, that was insane. Keslers the man

Posted by gillsy on 11/02/09 at 11:07 PM ET