If You Can't Say Something Nice...

…at least don’t say it about my boys.

I’ve done my share of talking crap about other teams, but I never say something negative about an individual player unless I have a specific example to back up my claim. For instance, Alex Ovechkin may be skilled, but he also plays dirty. There are several references I can make here, but here’s one:   And this is minor compared to other stuff he’s done. Regardless, I can defend my claim.

Now, it’s one thing if ignorant or misinformed fans are saying things against players. It just shows their depth of understanding of the sport. But when a commentator or other sports professional makes the comment, that’s completely uncalled for. In case you haven’t figured it out yet, there was a recent incident where not only one of my favorite players had this happen, but it started spreading to others on the team.

The Carolina Hurricanes had a home-and-home series this week with the Boston Bruins. The first game was sad as we lost 7-0 in Boston, but the second was heartbreaking as we played with such a great effort, but came up short at home 3-2. I watched both on one of my cable channels that typically carries the games, and therefore was watching with our regular announcers. Some fellow Caniacs were watching on a Boston feed, and relayed via Twitter comments being made from the opposing side. To start it off, Mike Milbury was doing the intermission interview for NESN and called Tuomo Ruutu “a despicable player.” Now, I know my favorite Finn is known for big hits, and that’s one of the (many) things I love about him. 99 times out of 100, though, they’re clean hits, including the one that prompted this comment. And this coming from a former shoe slinger…

But wait- it gets better! Jack Edwards went on to say “this is typical of the Paul Maurice head-hunting, message sending teams we have seen in the past,” later in the game. The next day, when we played each other again back in Raleigh, he went so far as to make these comments about Chad LaRose: I’m sorry, but these comments are completely uncalled for and unprofessional. I can’t remember a time I’ve ever heard a Canes commentator make a comment remotely like that, because John Forslund, Chuck Kaiton, and –dare I say it—Tripp Tracy are way more poised and respectful than to stoop to such things. Nobody’s perfect, but damn. Realize the point when you’re no longer a player or a fan, but someone whose comments on the game are being broadcast as your job and have some respect for those playing the game.

I’m protective of my guys, especially when it comes to my Canes, because character is a huge part of this organization and something that really drew me to become a fan of this team in particular. God help them if I should ever cross their paths, cause I may be small, but I’m loud and loyal.