Philadelphia is Amusingly Upset About Steve Staios’ Hit on Max Talbot
The Islanders and Flyers face off tonight, with the latter having won a million of that last million and one meetings. Or something like that. Today, there’s a storyline that’s attempting to over shadow the win/loss statistics that is constantly trudged out anytime these two teams have gotten together recently. The storyline of Steve Staios and Philadelphia’s perceived need for some kind of vengeance spurred by the thoughts of Max Talbot following Staios’ hit of questionable intent and validity.
“I had zero idea,” Talbot said to CSN Philly in the locker room after the teams last met on January 12th. “I think that’s what we’re trying to stop in the NHL … shots like that, head shots. I had no time to react and I felt the point of contact was my head.”
Of course, the blog reaction was the standard rose colored glasses on either side of the equation. Flyers blog Broad Street Hockey was up in arms petitioning a suspension while we thought it would get reviewed by Shanahan (it didn’t) but were not really worked up. (BSH has since relaxed their opinion.)
But today, Flyers fans and media are acting like Staios is some sort of dastardly Avery or Pronger level villain. A quick Twitter search of the word “staios” picks up a lot of calls for retribution, but I guess that’s kind of par for the course. Many times, Twitter can be the internet’s version of sports talk radio; except you can seek out the opinions of every caller.
@JimMcQuiggan: “@Zac_Rinaldo Kick Staios in the face for Talbot”
Of course that’s not a real Zac Rinaldo being tweeted at. That’s the fake kind of Rinaldo (a sidenote of amazement that even fourth line NHLers have copycats). Coincidentally, Rinadlo will be out of the lineup tonight, making way for enforcer Jody Shelley as the only other available forward.
@DXFlyers: “Million dollar question for tonight’s Flyers game. Is Shelley in the lineup and is he going to fight Staios tonight?”
@THEEmarkrinkus: “I hope staios gets knocked out tonight in Philly after throwing a bow at Talbots head last time the #Flyers played the Islanders”
There’s a lot more where those tweets came from, feel free to search for yourself.
But the outrage over the hit and need for revenge aren’t really surprising. That’s the nature of the tough guy (and sometimes tougher fan) sport of hockey and sports in general.
It’s more surprising that a fanbase with serious playoff aspirations and, to reiterate, an unreal record against the Islanders would be so focused on a borderline hit with no certifiable replays that didn’t make it to the league office. Not only that but the story is one somewhat manufactured in Philadelphia for what is otherwise an a-typical regular season game in the middle of January. You’ve got to have something to talk about, I guess.
This all could have been avoided if any of the Flyers including Talbot himself, who stayed in the game after the hit, had taken up his cause on the ice. Not one decided to. Now, at the behest of some media, some fans and a week to think about it, maybe there will be. Maybe.
I certainly wouldn’t expect the lions and gladiators style chaos but the Flyers may want to temper their revenge or make it short and sweet. We all remember the media backlash and league suspensions that came when the Islanders exacted revenge on an Atlantic division opponent last spring. It won’t go down that way but it would certainly be an interesting case study in NHL justice and discipline.
Ultimately, this all could amount to nothing. Steve Staios will be out of the lineup again tonight after missing Tuesday’s game in Washington. Even if he did play, he would have no part of fighting Jody Shelley. Matt Martin, the Islanders’ resident stand up guy has show to be very smart when it comes to deciding whether or not to engage an enraged opponent (ask Ben Eager). This Islanders team isn’t “gooned up,” so to speak. They’re generally smart and calculated if and when they respond. We’ll have to wait and see until tonight how the Flyers will handle it.
About Kevin Schultz
Kevin was formerly an NHL blogger for the now defunct AOL Fanhouse and was the creator of the hockey comedy blog Barry Melrose Rocks. He now covers the Isles for Islanders Point Blank. You can follow him for instant updates on the team and talk hockey with him on Twitter @schultz88. View all posts by Kevin Schultz →58 Responses to Philadelphia is Amusingly Upset About Steve Staios’ Hit on Max Talbot
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jdun89 says:
If whether or not you watch and support the Islanders hinges on Trevor Gillies being in the lineup then you are not a real fan of this team. Please don’t watch the game tonight. We don’t need your negative energy.
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juniorjunior says:
once the managment of this club makes sensible moves toward winning and putting a watchable product on the ice I will bring positive comments to the table. The commitment to losing and the lowest payroll in the league is a disgrace to this once proud organization and a slap in the face to it’s loyal fans. I am a former season ticket holder and would love to be once again. For years we have been watching minor league hockey being played in the coliseum. How long are we to endure this torture? Perhaps it’s the price we pay for having one of the best teams ever assembled. I for one am fed up and would rathar have them leave immediately than watch them lose every year till 2015. Until we find out that the isles are getting a new arena and their future is secure and bright in NY, everything else is baloney. Wang is a cheap politician. Tell us the truth already FFS.
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mr potatohead says:
i agree with tuba and junior junior .I think theres only 2 options here.#1 Boycott the home games.#2 if you want to go to the home games where a bag over your head and chart the chant wang must go ,everybody loud and clear sell the building out 16,297 and chart that chant loud and clear.Enough is enough my friends.
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WM says:
Hey, Potatohead – why don’t you boycott this blog? If you did, the median IQ of the posters would soar exponentially.
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SYOSSETVICE says:
dude, you like being a doormat??maybe your used to losses but some people will not accept that coming from what we accomplished so keep on being a loser
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sorry i mean junior junior is 100%right not this other fool jdun89.
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Bean322 says:
junior…dont waste your time…jdun pulls that crap with everyone…he must be content with being a doormat
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Lum_NY says:
Great post bro. I miss those season tics. But unlike u I will watch tonight and the rest of the season. I’ve been bleeding orange n blue for years now. But I’ll die w/ this team. Go Islanders.
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jdun89 he has every right to be mad. he is also 100% right
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bababaoey to ya'll says:
The Isles need real fans anyway
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Christian says:
I understand the frustration, but seriously… the first post has to be this depressing garbage. It’s getting stale. We get it already, this team needs serious improvement.
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Anthony says:
It would be a good idea to call up Gillies or Haley for a game like this. Sitting Rolston,Pandolfo or Wallace is much worth it. Would hate to seeTavares or someone else be run at. I really hope those three guys are worth being in the lineup over protecting our future.
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Bill A says:
How quickly Talbot forgets his hit on Comeau last year…….! He is as dirty a player as they come and besides, Staios isn’t in the lineup tonight.
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Steve C says:
Agreed 100%
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It’s a PA thing.
Like Flyers fans should be taking; ask that Ranger fan trying to get a cheesesteak after the Winter Classic.
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Sean S says:
You can tell the isles are scared of the Flyers. If the Isles were “looking for respect” they should have one of the Pens Fight Night games against the Flyers. They have owned us the past 7 years or so, if they were going to send a message it should have been against them and not the Pens.
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Claude says:
So shelly has take care of talbots business? Talbot fights stalos,old school, end of story..
I hate the effing flyers -
Jerky says:
The Flyers have sleepwalked the last two times they played the Islanders (and still came away with the win in each instance). The real issue as I see it is that Staios’ hit may have awoken the giant, resulting in more spirited play from the Flyers, including being much more physical than recent games. If that occurs, how many Islanders can play that style outside of Martin and Hamonic? Certainly not Frans Neilsen (the tulip), Bailey, etc. As such, they will play scared.
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The Haley Hammer says:
Totally agree with jerky, a very tough assignment for Mat Martin who although a hard hitter is a marginal fighter at best. I know he will answer the bell if needed, but way to much to ask of a young kid!!!!!!!!
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Pete says:
This is stupid and Talbot is a crybaby.
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HyeDray says:
Nice to see “Bill A” was one of the few who remembered it was Talbot’s hit on Blake Comeau that was largely the start of what caused the all out brawl last February.
And everytime Talbot was challenged during that game, or since, he has punked out — just like the soft, crybaby sissy he is. He an Avery share that common trait.
The Isles should be sure that win or lose, players like John Tavares, P.A. Parenteau, Michael Grabner, Frans Neilsen, Mark Streit and Matt Moulson dont come home in body bags. Those are the guys that need protecting, and if one of the goons on the Flyers targets one as a fan-manufactured retribution, I would be quite dismayed.
I have always been the kind of fan that is a bit old school. You injure one of ours, then one of yours is going to the hospital. That may seem harsh, but that is old school hockey.
The Isles need the points as well. And if they want to win, part of the strategy can be to let the goons make every attempt and have the Isles draw penalties and let the PP go to work.
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upstateIsles says:
very good strong points. Talbots a big baby…good clean hit..keep your head up or pay the price, its the NHL ya know? It’s a fast paced game…”I didn’t have time to…” SHUT UP..thats the point…its fast and ya might not have time to react…nothing in the rules saying “a player should be prepared for contact prior to getting hit..”
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TimQ says:
Cryer fans yelling about dirty play. How ironic
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John says:
Talbots a punk
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and it’s no surprise that Philly is being completely idiotic about this, they might as well be seeking retribution for 1980
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Lacka Tallint says:
Juniorjunior – KUDOS!! My sentiments exactly…this is a blog and we can be positive or negative. Negative wins for the same reasons you mention!! KUDOS!!
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Joe says:
Well, maybe the Isles will actually beat Philly tonight if all they care about is the staios hit.
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John says:
If they make a run at Tavares I will be at the next Isles home game against the Flyers sitting right behind their bench and engaging in unsportsmanlike activities the entire game. Mark my words. They will not sit comfortably on that bench and I fully expect to be throw out of the game but not before getting mine.
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Kaszycki's Krew says:
Why Laviolette would permit the players to lose focus over a pseudo hit on Max Talbot….when 2 important points are there for the taking with a hot goalie ( Nabby) and the Tavares Line doing well on the PP.
The bigger issue is the sound of crickets coming from the Isles camp two days after important surgery to the player on the roster who I think is second on the payroll (Rolston is first – cap hit wise?) and the greatest goalie since Terry Sawchuck….what’s up with that…??
In fact – I am just waiting for news that Rickey Boy will be ok -before I consider renewing my season tickets…..I cannot imagine the thought of the greatest goalie of them all – not suiting up for us next season and playing 60 games !! LOL !!!!! You would think that we are the Pyongyang Islanders – in terms of the shroud of secrecy of DP – and how the media is not covering it ( Have not listened to Chris’s podcast yet – getting to it..when work is over for the day – but not in the media !)
KASZYCKI RULES !
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2Bit says:
Talbot really is a little cry baby & a punk. That hit was borderline dirty at best. I mean clearly Staios was not targeting his head. If his shoulder followed through a little bit than it was unfortunate. The fact is Talbot was not injured and was really trying to sell the call. So, he’s going to cry about it until he gets his way because he’s too much of a pansy to actually want to have to play against players that are going to be as physical as him. I mean he nearly sets the bar for dirty play. What a coward!
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since'72 says:
But it’s ok when the Flyers do that! Right
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EJ1SINCE40 says:
Looks like JT and Co. better have their heads on a swivel tonight..
Meanwhile, Haley and Gillies both healthy and down in the Port..oh yeah
I am really starting to get disgusted with Snow and how this team is thrown to the wolves without any type of move.
Wang, YOU and your boy toy SUCKKKKKKKKKKKK!
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yup!!
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Let me get this straight: The broad street effin bullies are complaining about a Staios hit??? HAHAHAHAHA! Even Daniel Briere became a filthy little punk once he started playing for them! Tonight, we see what the Islanders are made of. If we let the Neandathals manhandle us all over the ice, I would start making changes. If we play a solid, tough game and push back at their crap, I will be satisfied. Oh, and a win would be the best way to take care of their big fat over rated asses!
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Were not “gooned up” but are the total opposite….softest team ever.
The way we lose all the time …i’d rather be “gooned up”
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Mr Patatoehead and juniorjunior, I am as frustrated as you guys are, but as we know, nothing will happen until the last second in 2015. Hempstead politicians are the biggest procrastinating fools I have ever encountered, and as proven time and time again by his ill fated decisions, our owner has no clue on how to handle a real estate deal, or a hockey team. In the meantime, I love the Islanders and they are a part of who I am. I have been trying to distance myself, but I just can’t seem to. While they are here, there is always hope. Sigh, I have to keep repeating that to myself! I just can’t see myself not supporting Tavares, who showed true commitment to us, the fans, by signing here. He is worth the price of admission! It would be great if our management would sign one or two solid players to compliment J.T. Not holding my breath….
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I agree Erica, I hope a white knight swops in and wants to make the team relevant again in NY. I get this horrible feeling im watching a car crash in slow motion.
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john says:
maybe pandolfo will protect JT tonight….oh wait he is too busy lesding
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chart the chant? either im an idiot or you are 2 for 2 on the typo lol…but I AgrEE man, this is getting bad…
think about this…
itd be a hell of scene if we got the place sold out first of all, but if we did that and then got that chant started itd make NHL headlines all week…and if they did sell or at least start acting like a professional franchise (which suprisingly is more likely than Wang selling) I bet other players around the league would say “MAN, what a passionate fan base, I want to play there”. its a long shot but hey! it could happen.
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LongSufferingIslesFan says:
I don’t think you know what the word atypical means.
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certainly hope thats not to me bub…
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Hey Tuba, I do believe your theory on Kevin NOT allowing negative comments just went to the Rag’s Rats in M$G..
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Mike says:
talbot the Turtle can go “F” himself!!!!! LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Staten Islander says:
Pretty funny coming from a Flyer
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isleopine says:
Right WM. At least he is a selfdescribed potatohead.
I really hope they come out strong and break the losing streak. Go Isles! -
Cold Spring Harbor says:
Since the Dads are on the trip have them take care of Maxine after the game. I’m sure if we defend ourselves all of the suspensions will be one way.
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anthony c says:
It’s ok if flyers players take a run at the oppositions players, but when a flyer get’s knocked on his backside flyers fans get their panties in a bunch and call it a cheap shot. Shut up philly, and cry me a river talbot you punk.
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the truth says:
The islanders played much better the other night, dylan reese played well and they move the puck through the zones and stood up the opposing d coming into their zone instead of backing in.I think Nabakov has played extremely well for them,considering the injuries he had. Its tough for a goalie to get confidence hurt all the time,I love the way they moved the puck.J.t is worth every dime they spent on him great hockey player that plays hard every shift, thats all the fans ask.
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SBIsles says:
I have to imagine that the Flyers are just masking their anger for the Bryzgalov contract. Blech.
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DaGiants says:
I can’t wait to see the lines for tonight. I’m hoping cappy shakes things up a bit. LOL nope Nino on 4th hahaha
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kingdm9 says:
ahhhhhhhhh shout up Talbot !!!!!
It was a clean hit and one that will last a life time on Isles high lights..
I wish we had Zeon in the lineup it sucks when martin has to deal with this B.S . But going into this match up the lines should be set up to play more physical .
Martin on the first line and Ko with Josh. PA has peoples back on Frans line.
Isles need to be ready for goalie crashing.
in my opinion Haley and Wishart would get a call up for size and grit. scratches rolston
pando had some nice blocking action last game . I think i can say that was one of his best games as and islander vs caps.
LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!
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Chris says:
Can we just beat this team please?
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william says:
Talbot is a goof. Just like most of his ex team mates on the Penguins. Live by the sword…die by the sword! It would be awesome if we could win this one.
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SCLI says:
I’m with U Junior Junior. When did Islander hockey become pacifist hockey? Flyer want to make a issue of it. So what? They want to fight? We should oblige them. Builds character.
Oh yea. We dont condone that sought of hockey anymore. Could be one of the reason we Suck. NO SENSE modeling your team after successful Hockey clubs like Boston, Flyers, NJ and Pittsburgh. Nope no sense at all. Keep on turning the other cheek boys. -
RICH L says:
Ok, Is that it, everybody got that Talbot hating out of their system for now, Good, because next week we have a home, and home vs the Toronto make believes, and they have another head hunting punk POS, his name is Dion Pheneuf, and I want to see him laid out flat on his back on the ice, remember the hit and concussion to K.Okposo, not that I am a fan of KO, because i’m not, but for D. Pheneuf to have gotten away with it completely because the gabmucs owner Wang doesn’t want fighters on this team. PS no, i’m not dyslexic.lol
id watch the game if gillies was in the lineup….other than that i got bette tings to do than watch a sinking ship commanded by a bunch of fools. This organization is a joke.