Carcillo, Flyers sink to new low even in victory
By: Turner Sports Desk
I do not find myself agreeing with Ranger Head Coach John Tortorella often but in this case I do. Daniel Carcillo broke a code of honor by going after the Rangers top scorer Marian Gaborik. In hockey there is an unwritten rule that fighters go after fighters only. Fighters do not take runs at the other team's top scorers.
Carcillo already violated the fighting code earlier this season by sucker punching the Washington Capitals forward Matt Bradley before he had a chance to remove his gloves. Once both parties agree to knuckle up the honor code states no punches will be thrown until gloves drop and in some cases helmets as well. Carcillo's actions that night gave the Capitals a 9 minute power play which the Caps #1 rated power play made the Flyers pay to the tune of 3 goals.
What I find equally shocking is the Rangers went into a game with the Flyers and scratched their own resident tough guy Donald Brashear. Brashear would have ended Carcillo's night with a couple bombs to his chin. Brashear would have been more than happy to jack hammer anyone else on Philly's bench if they felt froggy. To his credit, Sean Avery (who I normally detest) defended his team mate even though Avery is more of an agitator than a fighter.
The actions of Carcillo magnify the problems with the Flyers. They have a ton of talent but they shoot themselves in the foot with this Broad Street Bully crap. With Veterans like Chris Pronger in that room Carcillo should be pulled aside and corrected. When will Flyers nation come to grips with the fact that those dumb penalties and bully tactics don't win cups.