‘Hard to Articulate,’ the Marcus Pettersson Fight, Locker Room Reaction
PHILADELPHIA — The Pittsburgh Penguins squelched the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 on Friday at the Wells Fargo Center. The Penguins didn’t dominate. They simply silenced the Flyers. Marcus Pettersson earned a few stick taps, though.
Perhaps the only thing the Flyers won was a second-period fight between Nicolas Deslauriers and Pettersson, who is not known for pugilistic skills. Conversely, Deslauriers is one of a few bonafide NHL heavyweights remaining in the league.
He is not one to be fought lightly.
“I saw Tanger got hit pretty hard. I figured I had to stand up for him,” Pettersson said. “He would have done the same for me.”
At that point, Kris Letang, packing his equipment in the neighboring locker stall, let out a loud laugh. Pettersson gave him a friendly swat, too.
OK, so maybe Letang wouldn’t run after one of the best fighters in the NHL, but Pettersson did. Though he admitted to PHN, he may have had a moment of hesitation, but he was committed.
“Once the opportunity was there, he kind of baited me into it,” said Pettersson.
I had just one question for Pettersson, “What were you thinking?”
Fortunately, he appreciated the humor and found some in it, too. As you can see in the video, Pettersson didn’t look worse for wear.
The bench and coach Mike Sullivan expressed appreciation for Pettersson standing up for Letang, who was bowled over on a questionable hit by Deslauriers. The hit was close to boarding, though unpenalized.
The Pittsburgh Penguins bench got a pick-me-up, even if Pettersson didn’t win the fight. Even he laughed about it afterward, but it meant a lot to his team, and Sullivan perhaps gave the most effusive praise.
“He’s an unbelievable teammate. He’s a competitive guy. He cares about his teammates,” Sullivan said. “And to stand up for ‘Tanger’ in that circumstance. We know what a pretty tough kid was on the other side. I just give him so much credit. It’s hard to articulate it for me. He’s just an unbelievable teammate.”
Here’s the Marcus Pettersson fight.
I had visions of Oleskiak vs Wilson…. Peterson could’ve got hurt. He might want to put on a few pounds.
Ok heres an idea, Reaves got traded to Minnesota and Gurein might be willing trade Reaves for Kapscratch. At least Reaves would play more than Kapscratch, even if he sits a few games. Reaves would be nice addition for the first round of the playoffs also, (way better to have than Kapscratch).
Delusional. Reaves is an absolute muffin. First off, he’s terrible at hockey. He’s a wasted space on the bench, and has been scratched in the playoffs the last 2 years because his team and coaches know he’s more harm than good on the ice. Second of all, no one is scared of Reaves. He’s highly overrated as a fighter due to his size, but he struggles beating league middleweights. He couldn’t even knock down Marcus Foligno, and Evander Kane won his fight against him. Not to mention he did absolutely nothing when he was here and don’t recall him once… Read more »
My point was getting rid of Kapanen and the cap hit. I’m so frustrated with Kapscratch Id take anything for him right now.
You made good points about Reaves and his fights but still know one wants to fight him especially Wilson.
Wilson is a bonafided 1st-2nd line winger now. Why would he fight Reaves? What a terrible trade off for their team. In the past 2 1/2 seasons, Wilson has more goals than Reaves has in his entire 12 year career. He averages 20+ mins a night. Reaves averages 6-7mins. Not to mention, there’s not a single GM in the NHL that would take on Kapanen’s contract for free, let alone with a serviceable player coming back to the Pens. Hextall has been next to useless as a GM, but giving Kapanen that contract should be an automatic fireable offense.
So if Reaves goes after Tommy boy and they both go to the box that’s a good thing. And half of Tommys game is intimidation so if he won’t fight that means his game is cut in half.
But I guess we can keep Kapscratch….yea that’s a much better option.
Wilson should’ve been thrown out of the NHL by now with all his dirty hits.
Yeah Wilson’s afraid of his ego being hurt and his reputation.
Yeah but Reaves isn’t a dirty cheap shot artist like Wilson and doesn’t get suspended like him. Anyway, never saw Wilson beat Reaves.
Reaves is awesome and I haven’t seen a guy he couldn’t beat (& does it decently), but thoroughly. He’s not a “muffin” and he can play half decent for a 4th liner if given a chance. He’s the kind of guy a team needs on the 4th line – can certainly tire out the bullies if hiis coach gives him a chance. He is NOT a wasted space if given a chance! I just wish we had him back to keep! Reaves is awesome and I haven’t seen a guy he couldn’t beat (& does it decently), but thoroughly. He’s… Read more »
hell yeah for the lanky swede
Good for Marcus! He is having a great year so far. I hope he keeps it up.
I really wonder if there really is anyone else on the team that would stack up against a guy like Desauliers in a situation like that.
I think the pens would do well to at least consider players like that when they look to add to their roster.
Why would we want a guy like that? He didn’t help the flyers win. Those guys are a waste of space, no one will refrain from hitting our stars because we have a goon. Their only function is to make a small set of fans feel tough.
When you have one of “Those guys” they can go after their stars. Sort of an eye for an eye. You hit Sid we go after Zibinajad.
there are much better options than Ryan Reeves, the guy did nothing when he was here the first time. He brings nothing to the table. Sure he can play physical and that’s about it. There are plenty of guys in today’s game who can play a bottom 6 role and not only play a physical game, but can also chip in offensively. I am basically saying, Reeves is a detriment to any team. I never was impressed with him at all. He couldn’t even crack the lineup for The New York Rangers, what does that tell you? The Rangers are… Read more »
Penquins have always been the wimps of the NHL! Rangers knew it and took cheap shots last playoff! Who is going to protect Sid and Rakell this time? No one I guess!
It’s the Flyers lol, they care more about fighting than winning. Fighting is really not apart of the game today like it used to be.
Championships are won with solid goaltending, good structure defense, discipline, and depth scoring, and not a bunch of goons who take cheap shots.
Guys Deslauriers and Reaves have no room on rosters, hence why Ryan Reaves just got traded by the Rangers because he’s a waste of a roster spot.
Zach it looks like the first round is anything goes and that’s why the Pens can’t get past it. Why not go get a Reaves and dump Kapanen, Reaves would probably play more games than Kapscratch
Maybe the refs can do their job for once and control Ranger type ignorance. Cant win a game and actually play hockey unless they take cheap shots!
Awwww, that was so cute. I especially loved the part where he was adjusting his helmet. It wasn’t a good decision and he could’ve gotten hurt. I guess there’s more than nicotine in his Snus.
Not much more than a dust up, really. Hat’s off to the lad for rolling in to second a teammate.