The story of the Phoenix Coyotes’ antics after Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals has been well-chronicled and is growing stale, but it’s certainly worth noting that ESPN.com and the Toronto Star have reported that the NHL is looking into the Coyotes’ actions and comments, with the possibility of fines and/or suspensions for some players. Immediately after the series-clinching goalie, Mike Smith attempted to slash Mike Richards, then skated toward officials with his stick in the air and later tossed his stick in the direction of officials, while Shane Doan berated the officials in a postgame interview and Keith Yandle accused referees of “playing for’’ the Kings. Dean Lombardi pointed out to the L.A. Times that the Coyotes’ on-ice antics had incited the crowd to throw trash and bottles on the ice. Dustin Brown also had harsh words directed toward him in the postgame handshake line, primarily from Doan and Martin Hanzal. Brown was asked today about his reaction to that scene and whether it impacted him at all.
BROWN: “I guess I was a bit surprised. I know it’s an emotional game and (the loss) just happened. You give them the benefit of the doubt. But I was a little surprised at the time. Did it affect me after the game? No. I play the game hard, and I thought it was a clean hit and that’s it. I’m moving on. Again, it happened so quick for them, so I like to give them the benefit of the doubt on the emotional level. It’s an emotional game out there, and stuff happens.’’
On a lighter note, it seemed fitting that while Brown spoke to the media today, a group of kids were happily, noisily, preparing to play a game in an adjacent locker room. The little kids were in one room, and the big kids were in another, probably all dreaming about the same ultimate goal. Brown and his wife, Nicole, have three children — Jake (4 years old), Mason (3) and Cooper (1) — and Brown is enjoying the ability to share this playoff run with family.
BROWN: “My two older sons, especially the oldest, Jake — probably the best way to explain it is, after we eliminated Phoenix, I said, `We beat Phoenix last night. Do you know what that means?’ He said, `Yeah, you get to play for the Cup.’ So, that was pretty cool. … The 3-year-old knows. You have to explain (to him) a little bit more. He just liked that we were playing the Phoenix Coyotes, for some reason.’’
that’s funny about DB’s 3 year old, because my 3 year old just like the coyotes, too… everytime (and there weren’t many) that their PA played the howl my boy would come screaming into the room howling too… kids…
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Steve Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
@Stuart, Kids don’t know any better.
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Stuart Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@Steve, they just like the sights and sounds not the nuts and bolts…
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Duncanz Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
@Struckdumb,
Kids say the Doandest things!
BigSeeGas Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
@Stuart, i think its because of the Coyote/roadrunner cartoons
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Jake Johansen? Jackie Mason? Pat Cooper?
That other Dustin fellow must be envious!
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SLIM Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
@Duncanz,
“Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake.”
Jackie Mason….
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Duncanz Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
@SVELTE,
The one I remember best was;
“Eighty percent of married men cheat in America. The rest cheat in Europe.”
This could also be applied as a ratio to hockey players’ antics, in general … excepting the Kings, of course.
They are perfect and would never get up to such mischief.
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King Alex Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
@Duncanz, I could be (Jake) Blues, Perry (Mason) & Alice (Cooper).
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Duncanz Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
@King Alex,
LOL, I think your estimation is probably a lot more accurate than mine.
I may well be immersed in the wrong generation of entertainers.
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You got to love Brownie….
Behaving like a steam-rolling adult…
Saddened to see some of the comments
that are being said about him by sore losers…
The ultimate come-up-ance would be him lifting the Cup..
But I don’t want to get ahead of myself…
4 more games to win still..
GKG..
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You are the bigger man, and should not be over compared to Doan anymore. Dustin Brown is a class act.
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ToughD Reply:
May 26th, 2012 at 3:47 am
@rumpa#19, always thought Doan & Brownie had a mutual respect as they always go hard against each other, and obviously Doan should know by now that Brownie is as clean as they come. To see Doan as well as other Yotes crying is pretty pathetic.
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Cappy, you play the game as hard as anyone. You give huge hits and you TAKE huge hits. My hat is off to you because you always get up and get on with business and avoid all the useless childlike antics that we saw in the final yotes game. You are a credit to this team and to the game of hockey. Unfortunately there will always be ignorant fans who don’t know how to think beyond a third grade mentality. Bring it home for me, a 45 year fan and all of he other fans who love this team.
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Stuart Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
@plywood, I can’t wait until DB blows up Kovalsmuck ala Sedin sister!!! Or at the very least when he steamrolls Kovi at the point springing Kopi for another shorty! 6 in one postseason is the record!
GKG
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SLIM Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
@Stuart,
So the Beezabubs are winning this series?
I think they will…More to be revealed..
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Stuart Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
@SLIM, yeah, I think the lucifers finish business tonight… but I would rather that we play NYR.
rumpa#19 Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
@SLIM, Picture John Lovitz.
plywood Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
@Stuart, I’m drooling at the thought.
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Brown deserve a cup after the way he been playing!!..
Win it because this may not happen again..Why i say that for because its very hard to do…The can do it again but still most likely they might not..
The Kings are here and i hope they finish now then say we try,No trying do it!
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I have to say, as a Mother, I would be proud to call any one of our players my son! They are all upstanding individuals, starting from the first line to the last!
Go KINGS Go….you can do this! We all have tremendous respect for you guys as individuals and as a team!
WE WANT THE CUP…..for YOU!
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EJ Hradek just said he wasn’t happy with Lombardi because of the comments he said about the Coyotes. He still defends Doan for his antics & criticizes Brown.
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fsd1 Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
@Chewy Rocky Horror, ej is a hack
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Jack Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
@Chewy Rocky Horror, Whats wrong with that nincompoop…..has he ever placed a foot on any arena/field/court to play any sport, ever?
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While Ryan Smyth’s kids are better schooled
Here is what he looks like today…
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSWM1ukwhWRX7awj8xv5rbQtr_WPCtm6uu-azjXzaM8My4XX1rz
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Stuart Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
@SLIM,
was it me or does he look a little green in that picture!??!
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This just goes to show what a class act Brownie truly is. Conversely, it also shows how classless and petty some of the Cryotes players are. What makes this whole deal so comical is that Brownie is one of the cleanest players in the league. For Smith to say that “this guy should be suspended forever” is beyond a joke, just like him and some of his teammates. GKG.
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CLASS = Dustin Brown……ASS = Mike Smith, Shane Daon, Keith Yandal.
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Stuart Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@King Alex, what a difference to little letters make…
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On a side note – does anyone know if the GRIT/LOGO t-shirts some of the players have been wearing during interviews are available for purchase anywhere? If so, where? If not, I think the merchandising department is missing the boat on this one. With as many real (and bandwagon) Kings fans out there right now, I imagine a shirt like that would sell like hot cakes (pancakes!).
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Rachel Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
@Coach Mike, I don’t know about the exact same style that the players have been wearing, but one of my friends saw “Stay Gritty” shirts at a Fanzz store in the mall.
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Rachel Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
@Coach Mike, http://shop.nhl.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12988365
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Coach Mike Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 4:01 pm
@Rachel, Thanks very much. That one is pretty close but the one I saw just had the word “Grit” above the Logo. I appreciate the link and if I don’t find the other style, I may get one of thee for every member of my family (my own family – not my Kings Insider Family!).
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Itchy Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 8:51 pm
@Rachel,
The Stay Gritty shirt is in stock… the “Majestic Los Angeles Kings 2012 Western Conference Champions Locker Room T-Shirt” and “Reebok Los Angeles Kings 2012 Stanley Cup Finals Draft Flex Hat” are awaiting inventory FYI. Might be best just to hold off for a Stanley Cup Champion shirt?
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colo king fan Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
@Coach Mike,
What I NEED is a jersey with the SCF patch on it… gonna have to keep checking the website for em.
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Kenny44 Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
@Coach Mike, The Cryotes were wearing something else:
http://www.despair.com/idemandjustice.html
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Jack Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
@Kenny44, thats kinda funny!
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Mitchell just had a interveiw on NHL live.Cool stuff .
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Duncanz Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:49 pm
@rumpa#19,
Drafted by Lou!
Would give him a little extra incentive to impress vs NJD, eh?
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Winning and Losing should both happen with class. Kids playing youth hockey in Phoenix who idolize the Yotes players had their hearts broke on Tuesday. The players they look up to basically told them that when things don’t go as you wish or the way you think they should it is okay lose control of your emotions. Not all the Phoenix players did this, Ray Whitney Class Act, but many stars acted in a way that just is unacceptable. I appreciate the passion however the classless commentary and the way some behaved should not be defended at any level. We should all want better.
As far as Mike Smith twice in this series he used his stick in an attempt to injury a King. Both times he swung it at an area of the leg that had no protection in attempt to cause injury.
Capo! Class Act man. Class Act!
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Brown is awsome! He is close to being my favorite King of all time. I really hope DL makes him a lifer here!!!
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Coach Mike Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
@tornado12, Ditto!
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colo king fan Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
@tornado12,
I couldn’t agree more.
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Kenny44 Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
@tornado12, Other than Luc, all the other great Kings I remember came from somewhere else or played better somewhere else. Brown, Kopi, Quick, Doughty, Lewis, Voynov and AMart will be our homegrown heroes!
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Before the NY-NJ’s game start,I,ll say that:no prediction–NY going to win tonight,force a game 7.So,If you want to watch-watch the next game.WHY–because:we can talk here,so,teams can talk too! NOW,Can you understand it.ALL just for the( ).And you will say:how about ( talk to )the KING? NOT this year,Because:no one give #8 seat a chance,BUT maybe next year they will…GKG…
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Stuart Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
@JOHN SHAW, are you JOHN SHAW M.?
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Duncanz Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
@Strude, … of LA Kings for LA Kings?
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Stuart Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
@Dunconz, SO WHAT DO YOU THINK, as JOHN SHAW M. fancies caps at all times…
Duncanz Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 4:10 pm
@STADAMM,
caps fan, too? shawly not?
JOHN SHAW Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 8:14 pm
@Duncanz, WELL!I WAS WRONG again that I,M SORRY.john shaw W is here…GKG…
I hope the NHL lets the whole thing go. It was the heat of the moment and they said stupid stuff…. except maybe for Smith. He’s showed no remorse for what he said, and he got very close to attacking Kings players and even the refs. He doesn’t think he did anything wrong. Maybe a fine might change his mind.
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fsd1 Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:49 pm
@Donald_S, I think a suspension is warranted, name me any sport where you can throw equipment at an official and get away with it? Doesnt matter whether it hits the official or not. 10 games minimum is what he should get. Add 2 games for each attempt to injure players. I hope they dont let it go on Smith.
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Stuart Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
@fsd1, a suspension should be in order… but I find solace in the fact that he’ll be back in the minors before too long.
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John Roy Morgan Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 4:01 pm
@fsd1, I agree, They need to send a message…
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Diego Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:49 pm
@Donald_S,
Fine my…!!! Suspend him w/ mandatory anger management.
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Gary Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
@Diego, Suspend him forever.
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luckyluc13 Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
@Gary, Yeah
Jack Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 5:21 pm
@Donald_S, I fine wont change his mind..nothing will really….He needs a suspension, something that will hurt not only himself, but his team…then he will think twice about opening his pie-hole.
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NoOneUKnow Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:43 pm
@Donald_S,
smith deserves a suspension and a fine for what he did during the series and in the final game. I really hope it doesn’t get swept under the rug.
Doan I think acted extremely juvenile for being so experienced and in a leadership role but maybe only a fine is warranted.
GKG! Bring “it” home boys!
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One game at a time!
Go Kings Go!
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Duncanz Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
@Gail Web,
& one thread at a time!
GKG ALSO !!!!
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Stuart Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
@Duncanz, One Day At A Time?
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SLIM Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
@Stuart,
Dailey reflections?
Deep thought by Jack Handy?
Duncanz Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 4:03 pm
@Strato Caster
I wonder why EVH didn’t choose Mack instead, since she was the one who was really the ‘Atomic Punk’!
Smith and Doan can say all they want about the bad officiating and not get fined. But when Yandel says the officiating was BIASED thats a whole different story. He should get fined big time for that.
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There is a time and place to say stupid things…
The hand-shake line is not one of them….
Tarnished a great tradition…
Shame on them..
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Duncanz Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
@SVELTE,
Some people abuse handshakes …
Some folk make use of pancakes …
Sorry you got outmatched …
But I’ve got a flight to catch …
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paige Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 4:01 pm
@SLIM, agreed
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rumpa#19 Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
@SLIM, Gordie would kick there but for that one.
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The NHL should give Smith a life time ban…then lift it after the second or third game of the pre-season. Let him stew over it all summer.
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can someone post the article about what Lombardi said about the game?
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I’m not buying the Coyotes were so emotional after the sudden loss of the series and their season.
I mean, they had four whole games to prepare for the inevitable conclusion of that series.
The bottom line for me is, the Coyotes have a poor leadership core and the team won’t ever become honored champions without being gracious in defeat first.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
@Capt Jam,
Tippett. Bank it.
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Kenny44 Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 4:53 pm
@Duncanz, Once a Whaler . . .
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Geez if a bruise in professional hockey results in a indefinite ban….teams are going to run out of players quick…
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You know the “Grit” t-shirts that the Kings wear under their gear? Well, I found out what the Cryotes were wearing
http://www.despair.com/idemandjustice.html
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Gustavo Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 7:45 pm
@Kenny44,
LOL, good one.
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Here is the quote from Doan on the handshake like.
“We went to do the handshake and he was trying to explain and I said “Not now!’ then he said ‘Come on’ and tried again and I said “No, not right now,’ and that was it, Doan said. “That’s really all it was.
“But at the same time, everyone who has ever played in a playoff game has done the handshake line. Am I arrogant enough to think I’m the only player who felt bad? No. And in that situation, I have to be in better control of my emotions.”
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BigSeeGas Reply:
May 25th, 2012 at 6:52 pm
@Osaka, when Brown was asked what DOAN said… His answer was “Id rather not say” freaking DOAN lying through his teeth!!!! It looked like he was giving Brown LIP..
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NHL and G.BETTMAN did grown a big, very big cactus in the middle of desert and they sat on it in game 5.I am KING fan since 1983 and i have never seen a one sided refs like during this series.And they complain? I think NHL promised them something but they couldnt turn things around because KINGS were not stoppable.Thats why they were crying, like when you promise a toy to a kid and you dont keep your promise.15 more days and we will be a witness of something we dreamed so long.I predicted all 3 series right.4-1,4-0,4-1. With NJ i think it will be a short series like 4-1. GKG.
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I hate Brown WHAT we just got him in a trade! I love that guy!
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