Crybaby Crosby and Penguin Fans

Tonight the Philadelphia Flyers host the Pittsburgh Penguins in a divisional match up that will surely not disappoint. The Penguins captain, Sidney Crosby, is probably the most hated sports figure in all of the NHL and in Philadelphia for good reasons. Only people who do not see this are the Penguins fans, who think he is God's gift to the world.

Everywhere Crosby goes he is booed more than any other man in hockey. People say it is because he is the best in the sport, which to me is not true, in my opinion his teammate Malkin is much better. The reason why he is hated more than any other player is simply because he runs his mouth, hides behind his teammates, and he is protected by the league. Yes, Crosby has won fights, but he only goes after those that never fight, example Kimo Timmonen, in recent memory. He is hugely protected by the officials. During any game that he is in, if he is checked cleanly, he will complain, bitch and moan all the way to the bench, and he will get the call. Referees in this sport for some reason think they are slick, but it is clear, especially when the Penguins play the Flyers. One thing that he always seems to get away with is flopping. He flops more than LeBron James, which is a tough task in itself.

Penguins fans are an absolute joke, and the ones that live around Philly, are front running fair weather fans. The Penguins, if people remember, went bankrupt twice and had barely any fans during those times, even the ones that lived in Pittsburgh.  In 2003-04, they had the lowest attendance average in the entire NHL. From 2002 to end on the 2006 season, the Penguins were terrible, finishing in last place multiple times, with the attendance down, and obviously missing the playoffs. The 2004-2005 NHL season, was a lockout, so that helped the Penguins stay out of the basement, and the following draft they received Crosby, which was their 2nd time receiving the first overall pick in 3 seasons. Then in 2007-2008, once they started winning again the fans came out of the woodwork. Claiming that they were always loyal, but seem to forget the dismal years that the team has had. Then came the 2008-2009, second straight appearance in the Stanley Cup finals and the first championship since the 1991-1992 season . During the 08-09 season fans were popping up in cities all over the country, and the amount around the Philadelphia area tripled.

This game tonight is huge for the Flyers, if they hope to get back to winning ways. It will not be an easy game, but one that is winnable. Let's not forget Fleury does not seem to show up against the Flyers in recent years and hopefully that will be an advantage for them. Penguins fans will be in the building, pretending they have always been fans, Crosby will flop and hide, and the referees will be bias towards the Penguins, but all in all the Flyers know the importance of this game and will go out and leave it all on the ice.


CroJack