Truth & Rumors > NHL

Laraque unhappy with scratch

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Penguins winger Georges Laraque wasn't happy about being a healthy scratch for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final against Detroit at Joe Louis Arena last night. He made no secret of that. But he didn't make a public issue of it, either. Laraque lost his place in the lineup when coach Michel Therrien decided to bring back Gary Roberts, who had missed three games because of pneumonia and two others because Therrien didn't want to tamper with a successful lineup. But, after Detroit' 4-0 victory in the series opener, Therrien opted for a change. "It's the Stanley Cup final," Laraque said. "The prize, at the end of the day, is the most important thing. In the end, it's all that matters. It doesn't matter who's playing. I just want us to win, whatever it takes."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Georges Laraque , AP Georges Laraque , AP
May 27, 2008  07:23 AM ET

Its simple, Roberts is a more reliable player .. Even at his age ...

May 27, 2008  07:39 AM ET

As a Pens fan, I think Therrien may have to take into consideration scratching someone else and putting Mario Lemieux on the ice.

Great defense on the part of Detroit. If you had told me the Pens would have been shut out for the first 2 games of the finals...I would have not believed it. The young Pens appear to be outclassed on the ice right now. Unless they make some BIG adjustments on both ends of the ice they will be schooled for 2 more games.

May 27, 2008  08:03 AM ET

What player is happy about getting scratched? I'm just glad the next two games are at Mellon Arena, I'm tired of hearing KISS and Journey. OMG, the song has Detroit in it!!! Play it every game!!!

May 27, 2008  08:09 AM ET

I'm a fan of Big George, I'm sure he's realistic about his place on the team, he was probably wishing he wa out there for the rough stuff near the end of the game though. Obviously that crap is not going to help the Pens though. They need to find some way to score, although maybe they should sit him in front of Osgood, can't be any worse than their first two outings.

May 27, 2008  08:19 AM ET

George would have been more noticeable than Malkin last night.
Sorry Durk...but how do you Top Detroit Rock City by Kiss at the Joe?
Kudo's to Teams that have their own songs!
Some don't you know.

May 27, 2008  09:52 AM ET

George knows his role. And I concur, he may have been more useful last night than 1/2 the forwards, especially Malkin.

May 27, 2008  09:59 AM ET

They may need him for Game 3 - to run Osgood and try to injure him, like he's done in the past against Flyers Biron.
I hope they get swept, and score no goals!

May 27, 2008  10:07 AM ET

Scratch Malkin for Laraque...Malkin stated he was tired after the game...he is a ****...I am more disappointed in Malkin than anyone on the Pens team...This guy is supposed to be the future, and he has completely disappeared...hopefully this is not another Jagr situation!

May 27, 2008  10:08 AM ET

All I have to say about this series is WTF is going on out there?

May 27, 2008  10:41 AM ET

Durk....don't forget "Havah Nagilah"! Oy ve!

May 27, 2008  10:42 AM ET

DMitch....your mouth to God's ear. Rather diappointing. C'mon, Pens! I'm not hidin' because you're losing! Let's go Pens......

May 27, 2008  10:43 AM ET

Well, Georges, you have nothing to complain about! You are playing worse than Hatcher, if that's possible! At least Hatcher punished people! You've done nothing! And, like in Edmonton, you refuse to go to the front of the net. That's what earned you a ticket out of town, remeber?

It simple, Georgy! If you're not punishing people and you're not screening the goaltender, what good are you for? Fight? Not much of that going on. It's the playoffs, remember?

You want to play? You should be doing to the Red Wings what Kronwall is doing to the Penguins! But you think you're too good for that! You think you can score! So, sit, you bum!

May 27, 2008  10:49 AM ET

DCruiser...no offense there, buddy....but Laraque called out Hatcher and Hatcher didn't want any part of it! Be fair, now.......

May 27, 2008  11:13 AM ET

It simple, Georgy! If you're not punishing people and you're not screening the goaltender, what good are you for? Fight? Not much of that going on. It's the playoffs, remember?

dcruiser;
are you saying that Big Georges is not there for his skill level?

May 27, 2008  11:21 AM ET

Roberts can get away with cheap hits on franzen, whereas laraque cannot. Hence the nod...

May 27, 2008  11:25 AM ET

They could have used him last night to take one for the team and headhunt Franzen. 5 minutes and a suspension well worth it!

May 27, 2008  11:25 AM ET

C'mon Therrien Rocks! Actually, that's the smartest thing Hatcher did the entire series! He's dumb, but he's not that dumb! He refused to tango with Laracque, but he sure punished people.

Not much fighting goes on in the playoffs. What I'm taking about is punishing people by finishing your checks, like Kronwall does. A few well placed hits will go a long ways to help bring the Penguins out of the coma they're in. They've been punished into submission by Detroit. They look like they got the life sucked out of them. They're pushed around and no one is standing up, other than Roberts!

Can you imagine someone being hit by that huge body a la Kronwall? Of course, he'll be called for charging or for roughing by the zebras!

May 27, 2008  11:26 AM ET

They may need him for Game 3 - to run Osgood and try to injure him, like he's done in the past against Flyers Biron.
I hope they get swept, and score no goals!
BobD | 05/27/08, 09:59 AM


That's a bitter pill to swallow getting hammered by the Pens...eh Bob?

May 27, 2008  11:31 AM ET

BTW Bob...

Biron didn't miss a second of playing time. Can the same be said of the victims of the many Flyer cheap shots this past year?

 
May 27, 2008  11:44 AM ET

Didnt laraque score a goal in the rangers series???
Hatcher picks and chooses his fights. He wont tangle with the big hitters.

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