He wanted a rematch

That was it. That's what Andre Roy said had him so hot and bothered March 6 against the Flyers. He got rung up by Riley Cote with one punch, was upset that he looked bad and wanted to go at him again. He was hot in the locker room between the second and third periods and when the Wachovia Center kept showing the replay and the fans were chirping and the Flyers laughing, he went off.

"There team smiling and laughing when I looked over, that got me even more pissed off,'' Roy said. "They showed no respect, some of the guys there. For what we do, we all have a job to do.''

Even so, Roy said he "overreacted'' on the bench when he pointed fingers at the Flyers bench, made throat-slashing motions and yelled, "You're (bleepin') dead.'' It was then coach John Tortorella grabbed Roy by the shoulders and pushed him down into his seat on the bench.

"I'm in a zone where ... enforcers, we understand, sometimes when you get mad you go in this zone where, I can't explain it,'' Roy said.

Tortorella didn't want to talk about it, as usual. But Roy said he hoped the incident is behind him. He's going to shut up and play his game and he hopes this does not affect the Lightning's willingness to sign him during the summer. As forgetting in  game, it may happen but not anytime soon. That in and of itself will be a god test for Roy to see how he handles the adversity of being around the team but not being able to play. How does he practice, how does he prepare? The coaches and management certainly will be watching.

"I just want to be part of this right now, to be with the team,'' Roy said. "If I don't play, I don't. I'm just going to work hard and o my best, my usual thing.''

Pretty good fight in practice between defenseman Shane O'Brien and forward Karl Stewart. A bit of a height mismatch as O'Brien is 6-foot-2, 224 and Stewart is 5-11, 185. O'Brien got in several good shots to Stewart's face before Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis stepped in to break things up. O'Brien, though, kept shaking his left (punching) hand and had to go off the ice for a moment. He said in the locker room he was fine.

Stewart said it was just one of those things.

"Just part of the battles,'' he said. "We were battling. Just two competitive guys going at it.''

Also, defenseman Mike Lundin practiced and said his sore left ankle had healed up faster than he thought it would and did not have much swelling.

It was unclear who would be in the lineup defensively Wednesday against the Sabres.

Comments

crappy

good people

[Herb]

I will GP. He loves Airborne school. GP I was never a Flyers fan but DAMN Primeau was a one man wrecking crew in the '03-'04 playoffs. If the Flyers would have beaten the Bolts in the EC finals, he easily won the Conn Smyth Trophy even if the Flyers lost in the Finals,a la JS Giguere in the '02-'03 Finals. He was UNSTOPPABLE.

[jr]

I'll put my 2 cents in....

I have friends in the Philly area and have visited there often. It is a unique place. I never came across a Philadelphian who wanted to be anyone else or anywhere else.

Their sports fans have a bad reputation.
GP said "more so than most cities." I agree with him but by no means does the sports culture represent the general population. Philly is truly a great place to visit....and I think I'll let it go right there.

[bear]

I hear ya brother
Better slap some cheese on it.

[GP]

Bear,

I agree with you that cities tend to have bad fans as opposed to teams. However, NFL fans are notoriously the worst behaved fans in every city.

I don't know about a wannabee place. I think Philly is original as they come. I don't think Philly wants to be anyone. You hit it right on the head with the never satisfied. How long has it been since any Philly team won a Championship? I think 1983 with the Sixers. It's the Sixers .... who cares. We always seem to be right on the cusp of winning and it eludes us in every sport.

Rooting for Philly is definitely an aquired taste and I believe people like Leo can be rehabilitated to be a Philly fan. I was born into it so I didn't have a choice.

[bear]

GP that clown at the zamboni entrance is likely the same guy that rings the cowbell non stop at the empty rays games.

Crowds are more a reflection of cities than teams, I think.

Here people are pretty laid back.

Philly seems to be a * wannabee place, always angry and not satisfied.
Oldest joke in the world is that they go out to the airport and boo successful landings.

Must be an acquired taste.

[GP]

Leo,

You can say that a bad choice and a wall ended Lindbergh's career. That is essentially what happened. What a shame. He could have been one of the all time great goalies.

My point in referring to Latend "elbow" and Perez "elbow" is that throughout history every team has incidents. In fact, the 3 worst incidents this year are not even Flyers. Chris Simon's Stomp, Chris Pronger's stomp, and Laraque's elbow are all worse than anything the Flyers did this year. (Very borderline with the Boulerice cross check)

The Perezhogin elbow has been identified as the concussion that ended Primeau's career. I never appreciated what Primeau brought to the game until he was on the Flyers and now I appreciate it even more knowing the Flyers could really use him now.

Who would you say is the dirtiest Canadian team?

The last post was to get your goat as you would say.

[GP]

Tundo,

You completely lumped white trash and philly together. It is relevant bc I as one of those litle kids watching the Flyers goon it up. The exact combatants were Craig Berube, Dave BRown, Ed Hospadar, Ron HExtall, Scott Mellanby, and Dan Kordic. I watched them all and still appreciate the game for what it is and not what I suppose a "white trash" philly kid would be. Tampa fans would love it if the team had players like that. Just look at the reaction when Roy gets into a fight at the SPT Forum.

I'm sorry for your experience in Philly with your father. It was uncalled for. I do think that same experince would be had in quite of few NFL stadiums though. For example, I had the same thing happen to me when I wore and Eagles jacket to watch a Steelers game in Pgh. Those same Pgh fans booed this past year when they announced soldiers during pregame ceremonies. BUT that is never publicized.

Point is, I know Philly has it's fair share of idiots. More so than most cities. No disputing that. Just look in Tampa with that dude that sits down by the zamboni entrance. That guy is a complete idiot. I watched him push people down the steps on two different occasions without getting kicked out. You all know who he is .... he is the guy who paints his face and screams at the opposing goalies when the doors are open during commercial breaks. Every city has a%%holes.

I took offense to the another generation of white trash comment. That's it.

[tundo]

Where did I ever accuse any individual person on here as being white trash? I don't care what your credentials are, and you don't have to prove yourself to me, GP. Completely irrelevant.

It was unfair for me to generalize an entire cities population, I'm sure there are plenty of upstanding people from Philly. From personal experience, the people I have dealt with from Philly have not been the most pleasant, and some of the rudest people I've met. I wore my Saints HAT into a Saints-Eagles game when I was 11 or 12, and had beer thrown at me, threats for someone to kill me, and things thrown at me. It was the last thing I ever got to do with my father before he was killed. So excuse me if I hold a little resentment towards that city. That was the last time I visited the city, and the last time I ever will.

[ajax]

Why are all the Hab attacks provoked? Justified? Forgiven? I remember years ago, Canadian tough guy John Ferguson starting a fight with little bro Dennis Hull. The next year he slashed the man, Bobby Hull, (flat out the greatest physical talent the game has ever known) and Bobby whooped him good, the paper said a huge welt on Ferguson's cheek. Remember McSorley protecting Gretzky?? No one messed with Bobby Hull. The next year, Hull had a broken jaw wired shut and Ferguson went after him. The Montreal faithful booed him for the gutless act. Sort of reminds me of ALLLLL the cheapshots by the Habnots in the last few years. The Leafs are so much more classier and gentleman like than the Brawl street bullies of Canada. Their present coach was always known as two things. I tireless defensive forward and forever a cheapshot artist with his stick. The facts hurt. All of the above are factual based "stories" based on my youth and how I remember them, totally unbiased!!! I only remember hating the Bruins growing up. But now Leo has swung me over to the Habs!!! Go Leo Go!!!

[leo]

"ended his career", please.
I guess we could also say that a wall ended Pelle Lindbergh's career. Injuries account for 80% of hockey retirements so don't gimme that. Every career "ends". Not everybody gets carried out on a bed of roses; this is the NHL, man.
But let's say GP,
Let's say Latendresse is a vicious bully.
Let's say Perezhogin (hope THAT dynamo comes back, man can he skate) is a vicious bully.
That's 2.
2 guys in 3 years.
You got THREE guys THIS year. Again.
Yessir, 2 peas in the pod. EXACTLY the same thing. Habs are JUST LIKE the Flyers, right? An astounding similarity. Same exact thing. B.S.Bullies? Dirty, disgusting,dishonorable? Philly and Mtl, yessir. Both teams are the same, right?
Now let's look at penalty minutes.
Haw-haw!
Checkmate.
BBR

[Tackleberry]

Ajax,
Good stats and great point.

We need to rebuild our defense. IF, we get the #1 choice in the 2008 draft, who will it be? Stamkos or a top D-man?

What is the Bolts' long term strategy for blue-line reconstruction? Will the coaching staff change the def tactics, or keep doing the same? I would love to see a complete overhaul of how the bolts' def is played. Lots of room for improvement. This will be a very interesting summer for the Bolts and fans. The best gift Koules could give to the fans is a replacement for Feaster.

On a side note, I think Roy will be a bit more "selective" when he drops his gloves. But still, there is the code on the ice.

[ajax]

I noticed something in the stats this morning. Probably doesn't mean much(ha ha) We have outscored 8 of the 16 teams that would be in the playoffs if they started today. We have given up more goals than 16 of 16. That boring hockey strategy sure wins games. I remember the Minnesota game and thinking, man!! they really play within themselves and limit any offensive chances. That ugly team is in first place this morning with 39 wins.

[Bear]

A little hypocritical knocking the Wachovia act replaying Roys hammering.

We all did the same thing right here on this blog where the vid of the fight was posted. I watched it about 5 times. Never have seen a guy land a left and a right back to back like that. I was a thing of beauty regardless of the combatants.

That's the guttural part of hockey we all enjoy at some level and why fighting is still in the game.

[ajax]

jr., I read the article about VL4. What struck me the most was, "tampa media has voiced concerns over the long range plans of new owners" I must of missed that 1/16th page article. There ain't nuttin, ever in the papers about Lightning. The Rays get more press during spring training than we get all year, by far. Anyway the article was a snapshot of everything said here on the blog. They better address the extension before the season ever starts or Jay will have made another huge mistake. If he doesn't sign before camp opens they will be shopping him for Hossa like numbers and will have blown a great opportunity. Just me but in a money tight world, in a city that doesn't have unlimited financial resources or revenue, to give VL4 9-10 million for 5-7 years would be financial suicide.
He would be the face of the Lightning for sure, but a 35-37-10 record for about 5 years straight won't be drawing in 20k a night. Just me.

[Casper]

I agree with you keith, nobody here right now can coach any more out of Roy. The other stops he made didn't bother with skills development either, hence he fell into this role and grew comfortable.

You're probably right; it's easier to train a pug than multi-task a forward at this level. (Just look at the gift given to us in Halpern...)

I must be more careful with comparisons to my perspective and experiences.

We were lucky in our era huh?

Go Bolts!

[keith]

Casper, do you think someone in the Bolts coaching staff can get more out of Andre the coaching staff in Ottawa and Pittsburgh couldn't?
He's a role player for a few minutes a night. Fun to watch, appears to be fun and a nice guy off the ice, but really dont see him doing much more. Hope he's back though. If he didnt drop 'em every once in a while I'd be surprised to see him on any NHL team. Lots of bangers out there in the minors with just as big slapshots who probably can skate a little better.
Wendell he aint but he brings more than Karl Stewart for gods sake.

[Tackleberry]

Hey Leo,
My 2d choice for the cup would be Minn Wild.

[Casper]

I hope to see #36 out there soon. Never know with Il Duce...

I have to agree with a previous poster in hoping Matt Smaby gets serious ice time. If he doesn't start out with, and escalate from, a dozen shifts for a really good look, then something is very certainly rotted behind our bench.

This kid should be our own Bouwmeester, or Jassen Cullimore's replacement. How much longer do we wait? Not for the kid to develop---but to be developed!!! (no caps!)

Go Bolts!

[jr]

Interesting analysis in Hockey News by Spector (aka Lyle Richardson) regarding Lecavalier's future here:

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/14390-Rumor-Roundup-Lecavalier-deal-top-priority.html

[GP]

Patti,

What?

[patti]

And your point about battery cables is what, GP?

[GP]

Keith Primeau .... now there was a hockey player. What does Keith Primeau and Rob Dimao have common? Well, besides both playing for the Flyers at one time, both had their careers ended by Montreal Canadiens elbows.

Leo, hold on to that pedestal because the Habs are falling off.

Everyone knows of Latendresse and Dimao but Primeau was cheap shotted by Alexander Perezhogin that ultimately gave him the concussion that ended his career. What else has Perezhogin done? Thanks for asking Leo. lol Here goes:

From Wikipedia - "During the 2004 Calder Cup playoffs against the Cleveland Barons, Perezhogin was cross-checked in the face by Garrett Stafford with both players falling to the ice. While getting up, Perezhogin turned around and swung his stick low and caught Stafford who was still getting up, in the face.

The blow knocked Stafford unconscious with convulsions, twenty stitches, the loss of teeth and a concussion. He was released the next day from Hamilton General Hospital and has since made a full recovery. Perezhogin was suspended for the rest of the playoffs, and in an unprecedented move for the entire following AHL season of 2004-05. Perezhogin was also charged by Hamilton police, and was given a one year probation and ordered to donate $5,000 to charity, and to cover Stafford's medical bills."

Seems like the Flyers are not the only one that have goons Leo. What is up with that?

[Nate Dogg]

as he skated off the ice*

(gotta make sure I edit my stuff :-\ )

[Nate Dogg]

People from Philly don't suck...Flyers/Eagles fans do. And yes, even though we won the cup in 04', beating the Flyers in that Eastern Conference series was winning the stanley cup for me. Nothing was better than seeing the face of Keith Primeau as we collected the Prince of Wales trophy.

Ahhh memories...

[GP]

Herb,

Airborne school sucked. I attended it during the end of July into early August. The weather that time of year at Benning is beyond hot. It was a miserable experience. However, as I am sure your son will tell you, there is not a better feeling than glding through the air after leaving the airplane. It all ends when you hit the ground at 35mph. lol

Next time you see him, say, "Jumpers hit it." See what he does.

[Herb]

Well done GP. My son is in Airborne school at Fort Benning. Go Army...hooah

[GP]

Tundo,

I take complete offense to your "white trash" comment. I grew up in Philly so I guess I am white trash in your eyes.

Let me tell you about this white trash guy from Philly.

I played ice hockey growing up in Philly and coninued through college. I have even played on a select team that toured Canada and played internationally. I was one of those kids watching the Flyers (Every game) and I think I turned out ok. I think I only took off my skate once to stab someone on the ice so I guess I am ahead of the curve right? Get real.

I also have represented this country on 3 combat rotations to Afghanistan with the US Army Special Forces and I continue to work for the government now that I am out of the military.

Oh, I almost forgot, I have a college degree and I am working on a double Masters right now.

I guess all of this is the characteristic of a guy that is white trash. I guess you are correct in one thing though. I did hook up my trailer that I grew up in and pulled it down I95 with my 1977 Ford Pickup truck. Give me a freakin break.

Tundo, your comments are normally so much better than that. You made yourself look very ignorant.

Oh, guess where Lisa grew up? That's right, I guess she is white trash too.

[Joe]

Tundo - and the little kids should see Roy's 'riod rage, profanity and throat slashing? Get real.

If all you have is the conference finals four years ago, that's too bad.

I was laughing, too, but not at the knockdown. Roy was acting a dope.

Last I checked this country was born in Philadelphia. Maybe you should visit. You might learn something.

Your "white trash" comment is ignorant. Not sure that is the image you want to portray for yourself. Or is it?

[Herb]

Here is my Dennis Miller moment. What the hell was with a complete ignoramus (a woman) that wore a Dallas #91 jersey to the Bolts-Rags game on Sat. night that held up a sign that read "Brad is my Star". I wanted to locate her and smack her boyfriend or husband silly.(I couldn't and wouldn't hit a woman but damn I wanted to)

[wiggy]

Pretty horrible coverage. Did anyone NOT know Roy was angling for a rematch? Then we had to get real details from Edmonton media yesterday:

"League sources say the Tampa Bay Lightning is going to welcome back tough guy Andre Roy tomorrow. Roy was sent home for a week after an on-ice outburst in Philadelphia 10 days ago in which Roy had to be restrained by a linesman and coach John Tortorella. The talk is captain Vinny Lecavalier and RW Martin St. Louis went to bat for Roy in a talk with GM Jay Feaster and Tortorella. It seems odd that a team with Tortorella behind the bench would accuse a player of being too emotional."

[tundo]

The Flyers and their fans can laugh all they want. I still remember May 22nd, (cuz its my birthday) 2004, I know for a fact they do too. And what a birthday present it was. Not only did we make it to the finals, but it was against the Flyers, the team I probably hate the most in all of sports.

I wonder if the NHL said anything to them about the repetition of the fight in the arena. I think that is against league policy, but I could be wrong. The little kids don't need to see and learn that, its not what the sport is about. Just breeding another crop of white trash in the trashiest city in America...

[Casper]

Here’s another one of Tortorella’s success stories. Geez, I really used to admire the guy but his irritating antics are stacking up.

Andre Roy, he of Wendell Clark punches (well, maybe that’s a bit too far…Clarkie had some serious clout.) and Fredrik Modin slapper (another stretch but hey…) could have been a project for a man who can actually coach this game. (Not one who berates people for coughing up on sensory overload for his arcane details of mono-faceted Transitional Hockey.)

Andre’s not the best skater, but decent enough; tough as a bulldog along the boards and generally a better than average raw talent. Nobody gave a whiff to the notion of perhaps trying to show him some tricks of the trade and groom him to be---not the next Fredrik Mo, but the first Andre Roy-3rd liner.

Should have built his on-ice confidence (more %$#*& shifts!) and developed skills needed to become a force, using his size and courage where it’s downtown and dirty. Give him something else to think about and the gloves won’t come off so quickly. (No s**t, ya think?)

Yes, I would have sat him down in the video room with Nigel, watching Modin & Cap'n Dave tapes for months on end. I’d have had no qualms about brainwashing him into thinking there is simply more to this game than measuring johnsons. “I coulda been a contendah!” Yes, and he also could have---and still can become--- 80% of what Modin was and 60% of, oh, not Andreychuk, how about John LeClair?

Still isn’t a lost cause, all we need is a coach. With the slipshod defense, I’d have to say a big broom for behind the Bolts’ bench is in order.

But what do I/we know?

[keith]

Hope Andre plays, he's always fun to watch for the 5-6 mins he plays, but there are another 54-55 mins in a game. His off ice/on ice Jekyll & Hyde has to work for the good of the team, not Andre's personal agenda. The Philly-TBL game, forgotten, all except Andre and Cote. Can't control what the Flyers media guys do with their Jumbotron, but class in breeding always tells!!!! Boardwalk Bullies a la 2008. Some things never change. Meantime, enjoy the run, look forward to a good draft & next year. Vinny aint going nowhere.
OB and Stewart, got to love it, Stewart looking to usurp Andre, ya think? Put some fertilizer in those skates Karl.
Look for Penguins and Stars at the end.
Ritchie will shine, despite his stumble in the cowboy state, so far.

[Geografer]

My favorite part of this whole thing is in Feaster's comments (which are on the Lightning website) he states that they expect "the players" to be in complete control at all times. Apparently he has a huge double standard where his coach is concerned.

Welcome back Andre - you were greatly missed. Win or lose the games just aren't the same without you!

[GP]

Leo,

I agree with you about the replaying of the fight. If it was illegal, they should be fined. I don't like players laughing at other players for things that happen in a game. I specifically saw Jeff Carter laughing. While I like Carter, I do hope someone remembers that and teaches him a lesson.

It brought back memories of Alexei Morozov of the Penguins laughing when Lindros was laying on the ice after he was clocked. I still want a piece of that guy.

You know I am a Flyers fan BUT I don't like BS antics either. I agree with the suspensions of Boulerice, Cote, and to a lesser degree Jones. I do not agree with the Downie hit being that many games. The suspensions behind it have not been consistent with the amount of games. The Hartnell suspension was absolute BS. There are worse borderline hits every game that are not even penalties. I think the Flyers were targeted early this year and now Colin Campbell has become very lax with suspensions.

I agree with you on one thing. I like Calgary as my second choice. I've always liked the Flames and I live in one of Cory Sarich's old houses in Tampa. I've spoken with him before and he is a very down to earth guy. Hard not to root for a guy like that.

[Hockey Chic]

Leo,

Dude thanks for the kind words and trust me there is not enough snow in Montreal to keep me out of the mother land of hockey. In fact I cannot wait till next seasons schedule comes out and I can plan the next trip. I loved the country and the people except for mr butt head but he ain't big/bad or mean enough to keep chic away.

It looks like we are in agreement with the flyers as well. I just do not know what it is about those guys. Like you said it is the nastiness and the disrespect.

I got another one for you we had the Rangers in town and someone from up above threw a pizza box down at the lady who had my seat. It is probably a good thing I was playin cause it would have been on if you know what I mean.

Who the heck throws pizza boxes at a game. Respect people that is what this game was built on that and a Gordie Howe hat trick. I am looking forward to the playoffs to see who I can root against and I want the last place freakin underdog or the run away team to take it all.

Go Bolts!!

p. s. Andre welcome back buddy I understand where you are coming from I just think you let them get the better of you. I hope you get to play again as you have got a huge following and we miss seeing you out there even if it is for a minute here or there.

[GP]

Judging by the comment made by Riley Cote, he would have granted Roy a rematch. Torts allowed the situation to get out of hand by benching Roy. Cote said that he was appreciative that Roy gave him a shot the second time. Roy won the first fight and Cote won the second. I can't wait to see the next time these guys line up across from each other. Hopefully, Roy will still be in Tampa.

[leo]

This is something I just can't let go.
And no, GP, I'm not trying to get your goat (this time).
But I was absolutely APPALLED by the Wachovia Center's antics. (and I'm not appalled easy) I wish SOME OTHER guys, any other guy, VINNY ACTUALLY, would have cleaned a Flyer's clock. ANY Flyer. Just to put the time in. Smash some face; shut that crowd up PROPER. I'm shocked the League hasn't levied a fine in this dossier.
Unsportmanlike. Dishonorable. Disgusting.
Teams LIVE by their Traditions. It is what Defines them. They can't escape the Aura they project on the city they play in. That may sound a bit cryptic so I'll try to put it in layman's terms.
Notice how every team makes you FEEL the same way every time you watch them. Rangers, Flames, Stars, Caners, Wings...THINK about those teams for a second and you will AUTOMATICALLY remember how you FEEL about them, you, your friends, your colleagues, etc. That is their Aura.
Flyer Mentality CANNOT escape pandering to their B.S.Bully days. They hate to admit it, they deny it to the hounds, but History since then DOES NOT LIE!
Hey,
I love Trash. I love it. It's dishonor I hate.
Whatever it takes to Win, EXCEPT dishonor. Dirty, antagonizing, brutal? That's fine.
I'm with you on one thing, GP. I HOPE the Flyers make it. Ooooh, do I ever. Because if my Boys face'em? I swear I will miss all my shifts to watch the Pounding of Poetic Justice on those motherless orange bastiches.
Penguins, an Excellent 2nd pick, though. Gotta admit, they're scary.
But good news! Fleury's back in net. That should bring things back down to earth. But dang! That Malkin, eh?
Ajax, you got me!
2nd straight start for Halak, going for 9-0 at the Bell. "Playing the Numbers"? Or is it the End of the Kid?
Hockey Chic,
Like you say, everywhere you go, you're bound to run into a-holes. Or like they say in the Matrix, "the Systemic Anomaly". (Except in PHI, the systemic anomaly is the fan who's civilized and respectful!) On behalf of all Mtlers, I would like to apologize to you for that, H.Chic. That fool should have been just as gracious and hospitable towards you as all the others around him. Please forgive us; that clown does not represent us. In fact, we would love to have you back whenever you can.
I got ALL your numbers, folks! 2nd choices,
Lisa- Dallas
Lisa,H.Chic- Anaheim
GP- Penguins
Ajax- Buffalo, Detroit
Casper- Boston
Only Bear has seen the Light.
Me? EDM, TB.
Since that won't work, Calgary.
BBR