What would have been the greatest thing ever is if this was a Ducks game. Can you imagine the garbage spewing out of Brian Hayward's pie hole? In the words of John Davidson, "oh Baby"
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You have to be a bit naive to think those fans were being angels throughout the game. I'd bet there was a good amount of trash talking coming from them that got on the nerves of the players. Players don't just attack fans for no reason whatsoever. I'm not condoning what Rypien did at all, I think he should be suspended for 10 or more games, but lets not be naive enough to think the fans were being perfect angels.Originally Posted by Rotorhead
Again, I wasn't trying to defend or justify what Rypien did. I said earlier in the thread he's going to be suspended and it's going to be a lot longer than the 3-5 games some people have been talking about and rightfully so. My point was that none of us were actually in the area surrounding the Canucks bench, so we don't know what had been going on all evening. Obviously, if the fans were behaving in an inexcusable manner, the correct thing for the Canucks to have done is to alert the officials and security staff and have the fans escorted out of the arena. I don't think the fans were doing anything wrong because if they were Wild officials would have thrown them out from the arena and not moved them to other seats.
However, some fans that choose to sit down that low to the bench or penalty boxes do so with the intent of saying some rather personal stuff to get under the skin of the opponent. I would think by the time you reach the level of professional athlete that the comments along the lines of sleeping with your wife/sister/mom just roll off your back. If something as relatively mild as that caused you to attack a fan then you have serious anger issues. I agree with you entirely on that sentiment.
At the same time there are some players in the league that have had some personal tragedies or have children with disabilities and issues along that line and some of that stuff has been made very public. I'm not saying Rypien has any of those issues. My point remains that there are some statements that a fan could make that WOULD cross the line. It doesn't mean that a physical attack is warranted, but you might be able to at least say, "Well, that explains why he did it." I'd like to say we'd never see a player react that way again and I think that the league will come down hard enough on Rypien to make sure it's a deterrent.
Brother of 'Rypien fan': All he said was 'Way to be a professional' - Puck Daddy - NHL - Yahoo! Sports
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Q. Are you able to say your brother's name, or tell us a little more about him, or is it too tenuous?
"I probably shouldn't say his name at this point, but I do know what he told me. I talked to him this morning. He said as the player ... it was Rypien? Is that the guy's name from Vancouver?"
Q. Yeah.
"As [Rypien] was being ejected, he clapped and said to him ‘Way to be a professional.'"
Q. Way to be a professional, and that's what your brother says he said to Rypien?
"Correct."
Q. And that was it?
"That was it."
Q. Didn't drop any "F-bombs" or question anybody's sexuality? Just "way to be a professional?"
"Way to be a professional and then he said he wasn't ready for the fact he was grabbed and tugged by the player. The other guy next to him in the red jersey is another brother, they're my two younger brothers. He's the guy who helped pushed the player off my brother."
Q. How physical did Rypien get with your brother and not to share company secrets, but do you think there will be any form of legal approach that will be taken by your family?
"I'm not aware of any legal course of action at this point. I haven't even asked [my brother] if he's considering it yet. He said the player grabbed his jersey first and then shoved him after that. That's all he said."
Q. Did your brother pee his pants?
[Laughs] "My brother who was grabbed is actually about 6-5, 220. ... I thought it could have been something from 'Slap Shot' all over again."
...
The brother of the fan who was 'Rick-rolled' last night was on with Paul Allen of KFAN Sports Radio AM 1130.
Apparently the only thing his brother said to Rypien was "Way to be a professional!" - Ryper lost it after that.
Also, interestingly - his brother is 6'5, 220. Rypien again going after guys out of his weight class.
Podcast of that interview is here; KFAN Sports Radio AM 1130 - The Fan
Condensed PA 2 and 3 HR
Edit: Beat by Fistcuffs
I say if you're making a nice salary from the NHL (yes, including the league minimum, which is more then what I make in 3-5 years). You have a obligation to maintain a professional conduct while playing. This includes keeping your hands off the paying customers who paid hard earned cash to watch the game.
I don't care what the fans said, other than yelling"bomb" or "fire" causing some sort of stir that would warrant an investigation from Homeland Security, the players need to handle themselves professionally and refrain from physically man handling or verbally attacking the fans.
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