Isles Viewing Party

[elocomotive]

Puck Daddy has a good article on the topic that basically aligns with my viewpoint on the topic. This was a good quote:

Sure, you can call the organization classless or "1,000 different kinds of awkward" for identifying both what this meant to some fans and the car-crash appeal of revisiting the night the Nassau Coliseum became the Roman Coliseum. But it's not your party. It's theirs, and they can cheer the lions against the gladiators if they want to.

In the end, the Islanders didn't put this on TV and they didn't organize the party to watch it, they just told their fans it was going on and helped promote it is my understanding.

Given the situation their organization is in, you'd think Pens' fans could identify with them more than most.

 

[ELYEAH82]

I dont know, I liken this to the Pens showing Matt Cooke's greatest hits and the promo it Savard. If the Pens did this it would be such a big deal, but since this was against the Pens everyone seems ok with it.

 

[Bizzle McDizzle]

Against any other ream i would ne torally against this.

I was actually completely outraged at first... Then i heard it was against Pitt, amd it was cool.

 

[DChero]

I dont know, I liken this to the Pens showing Matt Cooke's greatest hits and the promo it Savard. If the Pens did this it would be such a big deal, but since this was against the Pens everyone seems ok with it.

The thing is, most of our hockey-savvy fans are embarrassed at some of the things Cooke has done. We don't consider that part of our identity, he isn't promoted by the team as being a hero, we don't need that. How many Penguins fans whined that Cooke was missing the playoffs?

The Isles fans are generally a good bunch. I understand that they want something to latch onto, but I don't see how this is a more suitable identity when they have guys like Tavaris on the rise. What I'm saying is, I feel that this takes attention away from what should be promoted, actual hockey talent. Let's be honest, the Islanders organization isn't hosting the venue, but they are endorsing it.

One more thing - :panda:

 

[elocomotive]

I was actually completely outraged at first... Then i heard it was against Pitt, amd it was cool.

Lol.

 

[ELYEAH82]

That is my point, the Pens havent been defending Cooke in any fashion let alone promoting his antics like it is something to celebrate.

 

[elocomotive]

That is my point, the Pens havent been defending Cooke in any fashion let alone promoting his antics like it is something to celebrate.

I don't think it's the same at all. Matt Cooke lays dirty hits on people on the regular and has shown no regard for the well being of fellow hockey players for years. This game was partly a retaliation to previous games and a reputation the Pens roster and style promoted. Now I'm not suggesting the Isles were clean - the sucker punch on Talbot was shitty, but he also wasn't injured in the game - but there was some motivation for what they did that was supplied by the Penguins. The Isles also won the game 9-3. It's not like Cooke went out and scored a hatty and had 5 points in any of his games. If the Isles lose this game 4-2, they aren't having viewing parties.

When you're a down trodden team without much to celebrate, I can understand wanting to see a 6-goal win and the night your team stood up to a team it probably views as a bully.

I don't justify it b/c it's the Pens and I dislike them as a Caps' fan. I justify it partly b/c you can't play a style of hockey and then be surprised when someone tires of it and takes the wood to ya.

 

[evolver115]

I don't think it's the same at all. Matt Cooke lays dirty hits on people on the regular and has shown no regard for the well being of fellow hockey players for years. This game was partly a retaliation to previous games and a reputation the Pens roster and style promoted. Now I'm not suggesting the Isles were clean - the sucker punch on Talbot was shitty, but he also wasn't injured in the game - but there was some motivation for what they did that was supplied by the Penguins. The Isles also won the game 9-3. It's not like Cooke went out and scored a hatty and had 5 points in any of his games. If the Isles lose this game 4-2, they aren't having viewing parties.

When you're a down trodden team without much to celebrate, I can understand wanting to see a 6-goal win and the night your team stood up to a team it probably views as a bully.

I don't justify it b/c it's the Pens and I dislike them as a Caps' fan. I justify it partly b/c you can't play a style of hockey and then be surprised when someone tires of it and takes the wood to ya.

I have a hard time believing that, actually. And judging by some of the responses within this thread alone about the topic, I'd say it's fairly evident that it's the exact opposite. Fans of the NHL that have no ties to either team are enjoying it.

And that's great. I could care less. Skate a victory lap Isle's fans, and any others that wish to join. Professional sports fans don't need to show camaraderie between fan bases. It is nice to have this board to talk hockey, but let's not pretend that we don't have teams that we love to hate, no matter what the situation we may gleaning some enjoyment from.

 

[Bizzle McDizzle]

Its a darn good thing everybody hates Pittsburgh, or this thread would just be awkward.

 

[elocomotive]

I have a hard time believing that, actually.... It is nice to have this board to talk hockey, but let's not pretend that we don't have teams that we love to hate, no matter what the situation we may gleaning some enjoyment from.

Please, my posts are pretty objective. If you have a hard time believing that, then it' your own issue. If anything, BECAUSE of this board my dislike of the Pens has lessened considerably b/c I respect and appreciate so many of the Pens' fans on this board.

On that note, why not address the actual argument I made rather than making inferences about my bias?

 

[SLY]

Fuck the Penguins, dirty fucks.

T.J. Oshie > Sidney Crosby

 

[Bizzle McDizzle]

Fuck the Penguins, dirty fucks.

T.J. Oshie > Sidney Crosby

^^^^^^^^
This


I wish KFC was KFP

 

[SLY]

^^^^^^^^
This


I wish KFC was KFP

I see penguins in Kentucky all the time. It's one of those hidden wonders.

 

[evolver115]

Please, my posts are pretty objective. If you have a hard time believing that, then it' your own issue. If anything, BECAUSE of this board my dislike of the Pens has lessened considerably b/c I respect and appreciate so many of the Pens' fans on this board.

On that note, why not address the actual argument I made rather than making inferences about my bias?

Yes, eloco, your posts are usually very objective. My point was that fans of opposing teams in the NHL can enjoy this just as much as Islanders fans. What I'm saying is, it's o.k. I'm sure a lot of fans enjoyed it back when this brawl occurred, and most probably got a chuckle out of the Isle's promoting it in August. What I don't buy is this idea that if it occurred against say the Panthers or Thrashers, it would still be relevant. It wouldn't. The Islanders organization wouldn't give two shits about it, and neither would the rest of the NHL fanbases. Because it occurred against a contending team, it became more relevant.

As far as the Isle's standing up against a perceived bully... well, let's just say if that is what NY perceived the Pens as being, so be it. Pittsburgh was a completely different hockey club in February/March/April than they were in October/November/December. All the team had to work with was grit. Yep, they fought a lot. Not surprisingly, because every one of those 12 forwards had to grind and claw to be successful. There was little finesse among any of the Penguins starting lineup. In a lot of ways, they weren't all that different than the Islanders.

 

[SLY]

Yes, eloco, your posts are usually very objective. My point was that fans of opposing teams in the NHL can enjoy this just as much as Islanders fans. What I'm saying is, it's o.k. I'm sure a lot of fans enjoyed it back when this brawl occurred, and most probably got a chuckle out of the Isle's promoting it in August. What I don't buy is this idea that if it occurred against say the Panthers or Thrashers, it would still be relevant. It wouldn't. The Islanders organization wouldn't give two shits about it, and neither would the rest of the NHL fanbases. Because it occurred against a contending team, it became more relevant.

As far as the Isle's standing up against a perceived bully... well, let's just say if that is what NY perceived the Pens as being, so be it. Pittsburgh was a completely different hockey club in February/March/April than they were in October/November/December. All the team had to work with was grit. Yep, they fought a lot. Not surprisingly, because every one of those 12 forwards had to grind and claw to be successful. There was little finesse among any of the Penguins starting lineup. In a lot of ways, they weren't all that different than the Islanders.

Exactly. So what is the argument. The Isles have been a bottom feeder for a while now... They are trying to find an identity. They clobbered a team that has won it all and has been fighting relentlessly both physically and on the scoreboard. That was their game last season. That is the game they are using to fire up their fans for next season. I truly see nothing wrong with it. Even if I were a Pens fan (ewww), I wouldn't care.

 

[Bizzle McDizzle]

I like my Penguin served with fava beans and a nice chianti.

 

[elocomotive]

What I don't buy is this idea that if it occurred against say the Panthers or Thrashers, it would still be relevant. It wouldn't.

True. Because nobody in those towns would be holding a viewing party for any game. It's also b/c the Pens have active/engaged bloggers that attention was drawn as well. Without those guys, nobody would have noticed it either.

There was little finesse among any of the Penguins starting lineup. In a lot of ways, they weren't all that different than the Islanders.

Yeah, that's similar to my point. The Islanders/Pens had some recent scrapes and this was a build up from previous games that both teams bore some responsibility in, though clearly the Isles and one player in particular went over the line.

Cheers, wait, no, fuck the Pens? Damn it, now I'm confused.

 

[evolver115]

Exactly. So what is the argument. The Isles have been a bottom feeder for a while now... They are trying to find an identity. They clobbered a team that has won it all and has been fighting relentlessly both physically and on the scoreboard. That was their game last season. That is the game they are using to fire up their fans for next season. I truly see nothing wrong with it. Even if I were a Pens fan (ewww), I wouldn't care.

I care to the extent that it was a pasting that my favorite team had to endure.

Since the end of the season, I doubt this game would have even crossed my mind again until the two meet next season.

 

[evolver115]

True. Because nobody in those towns would be holding a viewing party for any game. It's also b/c the Pens have active/engaged bloggers that attention was drawn as well. Without those guys, nobody would have noticed it either.



Yeah, that's similar to my point. The Islanders/Pens had some recent scrapes and this was a build up from previous games that both teams bore some responsibility in, though clearly the Isles and one player in particular went over the line.

Cheers, wait, no, fuck the Pens? Damn it, now I'm confused.

I admit that if this had occurred between the Caps and Panthers, and six months later the Panthers organization was promoting it, I'd probably get a chuckle out of it.

 

[thedddd]

Honestly I don't have an issue with it at all, as a Pens fan. This probably was the only memorable game for the Islanders all season so why not use it for some buzz/PR.

Looking at this from a totally different standpoint I wonder what the NHL's take on this is as a PR tactic for a team? If they were truly looking to change the game wouldn't they give some input into a team’s PR philosophy to promote its talent and not the fighting? It will be interesting if the focus is on the Grabner (2), Moulson (2) and Taveras goals over everything else.