Late into the night on Friday and on into Saturday morning Twitter has been reacting to the massive line-brawl between the Washington Capitals and the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday.
Some of the criticism has been directed at Ray Emery himself. The Flyers backup goaltender admitted that Holtby didn't want anything to do with the fight:
Emery's post-game quote last night: "He didn't want to fight but I said basically protect yourself. He didn't really have much of a choice."
— Jim Lang (@JimLangSports) November 2, 2013
So was it a "hockey fight" or a "hockey mugging"?
Even outspoken proponents of fighting in hockey, like Sportsnet's Jeff Marek, saw Emery's actions in a negative light:
Fight? No, that was a mugging. And to make Emery 3rd star is a disgrace. To ant Flyers fan who would defend it let me ask you this…
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) November 2, 2013
..if new York Ranger Don Maloney was given 3rd star for ending Bernie Parent's career with an errant high stick how would you react?
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) November 2, 2013
CSN reporter Sarah Baicker had a similar take:
I'm actually a supporter of fighting in hockey. But I am not a supporter of what transpired between Emery-Holtby last night.
— Sarah Baicker (@sbaickerCSN) November 2, 2013
Toronto Star hockey columnist Damien Cox channeled "Wag the Dog," and pointed out the benefits of a line-brawl for embattled Flyers executives:
One positive on Emery incident is that it nicely detracts mess in Philly created by Holmgren, not much improved under Berube.
— Damien Cox (@DamoSpin) November 2, 2013
Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak wasn't impressed:
Love hockey, but Flyers are part of reason it remains a niche sport. Shameful tonight (including Philly radio team.)
— Pat Sajak (@patsajak) November 2, 2013
But what did Vanna think?
Meanwhile there was a lot of criticism for referee Francois St. Laurent, who failed to keep the contest under the control. The Star Tribune's Michael Russo poked some fun at the veteran official:
Anybody find out how Francois St. Laurent scored the Emery-Holtby fight?
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) November 2, 2013
But there are some legitimate questions as to why St. Laurent allowed Holtby to take the beating he did. TSN reporter Darren Dreger explained St. Laurent's side:
St.Laurent taking some heat for not stopping Emery-Holtby. Gotta think he backed away to make sure the benches weren't about to clear...
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) November 2, 2013
In hindsight, stopping the fight would have been right decision, but multiple fights going on...St.Laurent concerned with full-on mayhem.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) November 2, 2013
But the thing is, St. Laurent did more than simply ignore the fight. He actively prevented Washington players from defending their goaltender...
For all the "Why didn't #Caps players come to Holtby's defense" - I give you @Latta17 being waived off by St Laurent. pic.twitter.com/R6pG21CNzg
— James G. Heuser (@JamesHeuser) November 2, 2013
#CapitalsTalk Michael Latta tried to come to Holtby's aid but was told to stay away by referee Francois St. Laurent
— Chuck Gormley (@ChuckGormleyCSN) November 2, 2013
Finally, TSN analyst and former player Ray Ferraro has a simple solution to eliminate these sorts of incidents in the future:
To stop bench brawls, #nhl put in huge fines + 10gm susp for leaving bench/wanna end silly goalie fights? Guy who Xs redline 10gm susp. Done
— Ray Ferraro (@rayferrarotsn) November 2, 2013
