San Jose Sharks vs Pittsburgh Penguins. 2016 NHL Playoffs. SCF. Game 1. 05.30.2016. (HD)
PITTSBURGH What, me worry?
Sticks and stones may break bones, but calling Sidney Crosby a cheater will never hurt the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Trailing 2-0 in the series after a 2-1 overtime loss in Game 2 Wednesday night at the Consol Energy Center, frustrated Sharks winger Logan Couture, who has been a huge disappointment in the first two games of the Stanley Cup final, decided to throw a few darts in the direction of the Penguins captain.
It was Crosby who won the faceoff in the San Jose zone that led to the overtime goal. Upset that Crosby has been eating the Sharks pivots for lunch through the first two games of the series, Couture was asked why Sid the Kid has been so dominant in the circle?
He cheats, Couture said. He gets away with it. Hes Sidney Crosby.
Asked how he cheats, Couture indicated Crosby, who won 71 per cent of his faceoffs in Game 2, pushes the rules of the circle to the limit.
He times them and they dont kick him out for some reasons. Probably because of who he is, Couture said.
Given the fact these two teams did nothing but trade compliments for the first three days of the final, this was a big topic of discussion when Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan held a conference call with the media Thursday before the clubs flight to San Jose.
Finally, something to bite into, so to speak.
Well, at first, Sullivan refused to chew on the subject when he was asked if hed heard the nasty words from Couture?
I have no response to them, Sullivan said. My main concern is our hockey team and our mindset and our determination and the focus of our group. Thats where my main concern is and thats where Im going to use all my energy.
Crosby won 56 per cent of his faceoffs in the clubs 3-2 victory in Game 1, so it may be in the best interests of the Couture to try to do something to see if they can at least get the officials to take notice of what they consider a tactic.
Sullivan finally decided to shed a little more light on the situation after a query on whether the hes worried the officials might start looking to throw Crosby out of the circle because of Coutures accusations?
Sullivan noted every centre goes to whatever lengths they can to try to win a draw but doesnt believe Crosby is doing anything illegal.
Im not concerned at all about the officials, Sullivan said. All centres, when theyre taking faceoffs, theyre trying to get an edge. Thats just the reality of it. Theyre doing the same thing that our guys are doing. The way I look at it, thats all part of being a centre and trying to figure out ways to get an edge and be successful. So, Sids not doing anything that their guys arent doing.
Quite honestly, it really isnt worthy of a response. So, as I said before, my main focus is on our group and on our mindset going into this Game 3. We want to make sure we focus on the task at hand.
The task for the Sharks for games Saturday and Monday at SAP Center seems nearly impossible because San Jose has way too many no shows.
Top forwards Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Couture have had a minimal impact on this series. Sharks coach Peter DeBoer told reporters to hold off on the funeral after Game 2, but it wont take long to write the obituary if San Jose loses Saturday night.
Weve been good at home. We just have to win our home games. It puts more pressure on them, said Sharks goalie Martin Jones, who has kept San Jose from being completely embarrassed in the first two games.
The Sharks are now facing tough odds; since the Cup final changed to a best-of-seven format in 1939, teams with a 2-0 lead have gone on to carry the Cup in 44 of 49 series.
If the Sharks dont at least make a series out of this theyre only cheating themselves.
Source: http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins-coach-dismisses-talk-of-faceoff-cheating-sids-not-doing-anything-that-their-guys-arent-doing
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