Scott Walker's Plight Seals It: It's Time To Forgive Brooks Orpik
by Cory Lavalette on May 15, 2009 4:21 PM EDT
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PrintFollowing his overtime game-winning goal in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes forward Scott Walker couldn't hide the emotions of the moment. Not only had Walker — a 13-year NHL veteran with just 11 playoff games on his resume heading into this postseason — just scored his first playoff goal of his career, but he became the 31st player in league history to notch a Game 7 overtime winner.
But it wasn't just about Walker scoring the big goal in the big moment. It was about redemption.
In waning moments of Game 5, Walker opened up a can of criticism on himself when he punched an unsuspecting Aaron Ward. The Bruins and their fans were irate — and ever more so when Walker was spared a suspension despite picking up an instigator penalty in the final five minutes of the game.
Walker does have a little bit of a history — he was suspended last season for headbutting Ottawa's Mike Fisher — but for the most part he has been considered a hard-working, standup guy among his teammates and peers.
None of that mattered — as it shouldn't — to the Boston faithful. With their ticket comes the right to boo, and the people of Boston were ready to do so. After the Bruins dispatched the Canes in Game 6 in Raleigh, the stage was set for Walker to return to the scene of the ugly event. The catcalls for No. 24 were heard early and often at the TD Banknorth Garden, especially with Walker inserted into the starting lineup on Carolina's top line with star center Eric Staal and winger Ray Whitney.
As the game wore on, it became less about the venom toward Walker and more about the intensity of a deciding game. The Bruins jumped out to an early lead, with the Hurricanes rallying for the next two. Then the hometown team tied it in the third, setting the stage for the most dramatic of scenarios: Game 7, overtime.
At the 18:46 mark of the first overtime, Whitney unleashed a shot on Bruins' goalie Tim Thomas. Thomas failed to control the rebound, and Walker outhustled Boston defender Dennis Wideman to the loose puck. With one swat, Walker batted the bouncing puck out of the air and into the net.
For the fourth straight playoff series, the Hurricanes had won a dramatic Game 7. And Walker, the villain to all of New England, sprinted across the ice, looking more like the hug-seeking Jim Valvano following NC State's remarkable 1983 NCAA Basketball Tournament championship than some mustache-twirling evildoer.
For the Bruins and their fans, it was the worst-case scenario: an upset at the hands of the player they most despised.
For Walker, it was overwhelming. He had handled the post-incident media scrums the best he could, regretting what happened but stating his defense. It was clear in his postgame interview with Hurricanes broadcaster Tripp Tracy that the negative attention had gotten to him. The combined emotions of having coming through in the clutch and redeeming himself after days of criticism had Walker choked up — he even wiping away a tear that had snuck out of his normally intense face.
The booing probably hadn't gotten to him too much — every athlete has gone through that at one time or another. But the media criticism, I think, was another story. Terms like "sucker-punch," "dirty" and "cheapshot" were words a normally honest, but gritty, player like Walker never wanted to be associated with. And they were everywhere, pinned to his name.
Boston fans won't soon forget Walker's punch — or his antiheroic goal — and chances are he will go down as a scoundrel in Beantown lore. But for a few moments after Game 7, Walker had something to be proud of, something to make him, his family and his fans proud.
Which brings us to the end result of Walker's goal: a Eastern Conference Finals matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
While the reporters and sports talk hosts will spend their time analyzing if Carolina will stop Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, beating to death the brother-against-brother matchup between Eric and Jordan Staal, and comparing young goaltending aces Cam Ward and Marc-Andre Fleury, Carolina fans will set their sights on one player.
Brooks Orpik.
Orpik, if you recall, is the player responsible for the terrifying neck injury to Hurricanes winger Erik Cole. Carolina, in the midst of a magical season that would culminate in a Stanley Cup title, lost Cole on a hit from behind by Orpik on March 4, 2006. Cole would make a dramatic return for Game 6 and 7 of the Cup Finals against Edmonton, but some would argue he hasn't regained the form he had prior to that March night.
Cole, like Ward after the Walker punch, was short with his words on his tormenter. Orpik, who received a three-game suspension, joined the ranks of Devils great and Hall-of-Famer Scott Stevens on the list most-hated visitors to the RBC Center.
Like Walker, Orpik has made his living in the NHL as a tough customer, someone whose skills don't compare to some of his contemporaries but who brings a physicality and toughness that every successful team needs. Walker's one-game suspension from the Fisher incident shows that his intensity has boiled over in the past. Orpik also had a one-game suspension (for kneeing then-King Tim Gleason in 2003) on his rap sheet prior to the bigger incident with Cole.
But overall, both Walker and Orpik have made hockey a career by playing the game hard, tough — and clean.
I don't know if Ward will ever forgive Walker for "the punch" back in Game 5, and that's his right. Based on his postgame reaction, Walker is probably still wrestling with forgiving himself for an incident he wishes he could have back. And when Cole lines up across from Orpik starting Monday in Pittsburgh, you can bet he remembers the guy who not only altered his career but his life.
Bruins fans will be mad at Walker for a long time, just like people of the Triangle have been at Orpik since 2006. And while Walker has already shown more remorse than Orpik ever did, I think it might be time for the Caniacs to step back and realize Orpik, like Walker, was probably as troubled by his hit on Cole.
We've seen how even someone like Walker — a guy ex-coach Peter Laviolette called the toughest guy, pound-for-pound, in the NHL, and that Paul Maurice said fears no one — can be affected by attacks on his character. It's time for the fans to let bygones be bygones and forgive — or at least forget — Orpik for his three-year-old misdeed.
Hopefully the people of Boston — in time — can do the same for Walker.
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No Way Cory
Brooks took a run at a guy whose back was turned, walker punched a guy in the face who had just finished punching him the chest or shoulder area. Orpik broke a man’s neck as result, and in some ways ruined EC’s potential. Aaron Ward got a shiner and pissed his breezers. Apples and Oranges. Brooks Orpik gets no forgiveness from me EVER.
Screw that
Walker punched a guy who was facing him and who had a better than even chance of whipping Walker’s tail if he’d bothered to fight.
Orpik attempted to kill Erik Cole.
I think all of you need to look at it objectively … many Boston fans — and hockey people — feel the same about Walker as you do about Orpik. I have never bought the “end result = punishment” argument. Would you feel differently if Walker had put Ward in a coma? Ryan Hollweg has boarded 20 times as many times as Orpik.
I didn’t say I still hated Orpik like I used to. I’ve definitely gotten over him to a certain extent. I just see a few things about them that are a little different. You even mentioned that Orpik didn’t seem to regret it as much as Walker did.
I’m over it – but that doesn’t mean there still isn’t a bit of resentment about the whole ordeal.
Carolina On Ice: All Things Hockey in the Carolinas!
Barry Melrose Rocks: Hockey and mullets. What else is there?
No way!
No forgiveness, no mercy! Compared to Boston and Jersey, the Penguins are a bunch of creampuffs. They’re a finesse team, so let’s show them what hard-nosed hockey is all about!
Still not a crook!
That sums it up nicely.......
The Pens are like the Lakers, they believe their own hype. If they played in San Francisco or Key West, they would have quite a fan base……
I stand behind Erik Cole…. If he can forgive him then so can I…..
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 15, 2009 5:12 PM EDT reply actions
The end result is irrelevant to this discussion
The fact of Erik’s broken neck is only relevant because it is the natural and likely result of his act. That’s why boarding is illegal.
He hit creamed a guy from behind, when his head was down by the boards. He skated all the way across the ice to do it, and he didn’t slow up. It was a malicious attack on a defenseless player with FAR greater potential for injury than a right cross to the cheek.
Screw Orpik. he shouldn’t even be in the league. What he did was far closer to Bertuzzi than Walker.
NO F#$^IN WAY!!!
AT THE END OF EVERY PRACTICE, GAME, WORKOUT ERIK COLE DEALS WITH A WHOLE NEW PAIN, ROUTINE, ETC DUE TO THE HIT FROM OPRIK. AFTER THE INJURY OPRIK DIDN’T HAD THE DECENCY TO CALL COLE AND SETTLE THE MATTER. OPRIK IS A GOON ANDTHE INJURY HE PLACED ON COLE HAS CHANGED ERIK FOR HIS CAREER-PERIOD. THAT SEASON PRIOR TO THE INJURY COLE WAS ON A CAREER PACE. HIS NUMBERS HAVEN’T BEEN THAT GOOD SINCE. SO YOU TELL ME.
AT THE END OF THE DAY WHY SHOULD WE JUST “LET THIS ONE GO” WHEN THE INJURY WILL COST COLE FOR THE REMAINDER OF HIS CAREER.
The only way to let this go is to break Orpick's neck. Then I will be fine.
Really, it is not about forgivness…..it is about a nearly criminal act that could have killed another human being. This guy is the brown crusty crap on the bottom of a 20 year old pair of used underwear. These are not the same at all. No comparison.
Dunno Cory, I think it’s a bit of a stretch to compare them. Like DJT said, the reason that boarding is illegal is that the potential for severe, career-ending/life-threatening injury is so much greater than from a punch to the face, high stick, whatever. Freak accidents do happen, like the guy who got in a fight, lost his helmet, fell down, hit his head on the ice and died, or like Jokinen’s skate blade into Zednick’s neck. But a broken is not an uncommon result from boarding. There is no circumstance under which boarding is acceptable. There are circumstances under which throwing a punch is quite acceptable, and Walker thought he was in one of those situations.
by Andrea's evil twin on May 15, 2009 7:43 PM EDT reply actions
Even if...
Walker’s punch and Orpik’s bulldozing of Cole was an Apples to Apples comparison (which I think is extremely debatable), the fact that Orpik never showed any remorse (as far as I know) is why he belongs head and shoulders at the top of the Caniacs’ public enemy list. Forget hockey. Orpik could have put Erik in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. As it was, he nearly ended Cole’s career, and definitely hurt his career development from that moment on. Cole has never been the same and probably never will be. But in the aftermath, Orpik acted like a sociopath. Like it was EC’s fault for putting himself in a vulnerable position. That is the case sometimes with boarding injuries, but Orpik had time to pull up. In Walker’s case, he overreacted to a perceived threat against a teammate who has had recent concussion issues. He apologized almost immediately after the fact. Walker may cross the line sometimes, but he is known as an honorable player. Orpik is known as a somewhat skilled goon.
I have joined the ranks of Orpik haters thanks to the Pens’ most recent series. He spent most of the series tormenting Alex Semin beginning with a slash to the face that required stitches. (Semin did get a couple of assists in that game after the slash.) There were also cross checks and other stuff. Needless to say, Semin was subpar for the rest of ther series. The news was released that his thumb was injured (so he couldn’t shoot as well.)
And then Orpik had the nerve to complain that Ovechkin was a dirty player for his hit to Gonchar that caused an injury to his knee. The pot is calling the kettle black. This from the guy who injured Cole so seriously and injured Semin in the recent series.
What a fricking hypocrite!
I have referred to Orpik as Orprick ever since since he is one. (And now some Caps bloggers have used that lovely nickname for him, as well.) To NoVaCaniac, I love your description of Orpik as “skilled goon”.
Orpik is at the top of my public enemy list. And my opinion of the Pittsburgh Penguins has gone way down thanks to him (as well as because of Crosby’s antics). I had never liked that team but like them even less now. I am at the point of being ready to root against the Pens unless their mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, even if they’re in last place and playing a team ahead of my team in the conference. Anyway, I’m rooting for the ‘Canes in the Conference Finals this year since I hate the Pens so bad. (And considering I’m a fan of the Canes’ arch-division rivals.)
Orpik got stitches from Semin also…don’t know which came first. jussayin.
-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.
by pascaldupweevil on May 15, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Bad timing?
This is a great argument. Personally, I would have forgiven Orpik had he chosen to apologize immediately after the incident. As of right now, I still get angry at the very thought of him, and there is a part of me that wants to see him get caught with his head down and have a certain red shoulder pad catch him in the chin. Maybe that’s the part of me that grew up watching WWF, I dunno. I also think the league does not do enough to deter boarding.
By the way, this is a total buzzkill. I was on cloud nine since last night’s win but now that feeling of euphoria has been replaced by a feeling of *%!#@%!!!!
At the start of the 03-04 season…. I was at a pre-season exhibition game where Erik Cole laid out a minor league guy for the Atlanta Thrashers at Center Ice…. it was a perfectly clean “Scott Stevens” like hit….
The poor kid on the other team had to be strapped down to a stretcher and carted off the ice…..
At that moment Erik Cole skated over to the stretcher and grabbed the kids hand….. I was close enough to the ice to read his lips… “i’m sorry… I wasn’t trying to hurt you…..”
That is the difference between Erik Cole and Brooks Orpik……
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 16, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Let me preface this by saying that I am a Pens fan, just so that you know where I’m coming from.
I completely agree with the fact that the incident with Orpik is not at all comparable to the incident with Walker, however, I do understand what Cory is saying here in terms of fan perspective. Either way, it’s an attack on a beloved player. I am by no means defending Orpik in regards to the Cole hit, but I think it has to be said that Orpik’s style of play has changed since then and I don’t think he is the same player he was then as he is now. Yes, he is still a hitter, that can’t be denied; but I do see a bit more sense of intelligence about his hitting nowadays.
Secondly, as per this article in USA Today and this article in the Edmonton Journal, Orpik DID attempt to contact Cole after the hit to apologize, but Cole declined to speak to him.
I completely understand Canes’ fans issues with Orpik, and am not arguing it at all, just giving a little bit of an extra perspective. Congrats on advancing to the ECF, I could never understand why everyone (Jersey, Boston) seemed to be underestimating you when the playoffs began. I, for one, am expecting this to be an excellent series!
Good article… Thanks for posting….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 16, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
that attempted "apology" came WAY too late
That came after we acquired Recchi, which was at least a week later, and probably didnt occur until well after that.
Orpik attempted to apologize when he realized he was going to be branded a dirty punk for the rest of his career.
Too late.
by DidJussiThat? on May 18, 2009 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions
I think everyone is failing to grasp the whole concept of what I wrote.
At some point, I think we need to all step back and realize that, at the end of the day, all of these guys are people. Scott’s raw emotions after Game 7 really made me realize how tough these guys have it some time. I can’t imagine having my entire person judged on one mistake I made.
Like I closed the article, if you can’t forgive — and at the end of the day, the only guy who matter is Cole — it’s at least time to forget.
I knew this wouldn’t be a popular opinion … I’m just ready to move on. Seeing how difficult this last week was for Walker made me realize this.
by Cory Lavalette on May 15, 2009 10:11 PM EDT reply actions
I agree. To keep booing him three years later just makes us look dumb!
by ThunderDumas on May 16, 2009 7:01 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think the two situations are comparable….. But I’m w/ Erik Cole…. if he can forgive him then I can forgive him….
But I still want to boooooo him really bad!!!!!!!
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on May 16, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s a borderline argument. There are plenty of players who are dirty, one at least on each and every team. Boarding happens more often than we like to admit, and of course they know its against the rules when they do it, but I doubt that there is a single player in the league that lines a guy up with the intention of something like breaking a guy’s neck. I’m sure Orpik has had sleepless nights over the incident. That’s obviously nothing compared to what Cole had to go through, but you should try to see it from both players’ perspectives.
On that note, I don’t hate any of the Hurricanes. Personally I thought Walker’s Right in game 5 was pretty cool. /shrug
-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.
by pascaldupweevil on May 15, 2009 10:34 PM EDT reply actions
i did not think it was a cheap shot, i mean jeeze. both guys eyed each other for a good sec or two before walker clocked him. im thinking that walker thought he would drop the gloves, instead dude got hit so hard he just went all fetal position
" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run
by oldtimehockey09 on May 16, 2009 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m kinda with Cory on this one. Boarding is illegal because of the severity of injuries it can incur. While Walker did not cause a serious injury he very easily could have and if it had would that make the argument more justified. Sucker punches can be just as dangerous, look at Todd Bertuzzi and Steve Moore, while it wasn’t the punch that injured him, it led to the fall which injured him. Again Cory is not saying the result should equal the punishment. Orpik probably should have apologized but that does not mean he doesn’t think about it and wish he coudl take it away every day, he’s human like the rest of us and made a mistake. And to all you who say that they would like Orpik to get what he deserves. Let’s say Cole takes a run at him and breaks his neck, how will you feel then?? I’m done!
Sweet Victory would be...
Let the sweet victory be as Walker’s was…..
Erik Cole should have the series winning goal!!!
i understand the animosity
should brooksie have held up, yes of course. but at the same time ever player is tought to finish thier checks. i am willing to bet that the intent to injure was not there just like ovie’s intent to injure gonchar was not there, just like walkers intent to injure ward was not there. I agree with sticker, these guys dont want to hurt anyone. the real question is can cole control his emotions against orpick. if he cant then this series could decend into something out of the 70’s very very quickly.
ps.
those of you who frequent the pensburgh blogs will notice that i dont spell check anything, sorry :D
" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run
by oldtimehockey09 on May 16, 2009 12:04 AM EDT reply actions
We all remember watching Cole crumple to the ice after that hit, and how he couldn’t even hold his head up as he skated of the ice. We all remember how our hearts sank when we heard his neck had been boken, but also sighed in relief knowing that he while he not play again, he would be ok.
Remember game 6 against Edmonton, when we saw him skate out and then took that 1st hit? I sware, I thought he wasn’t going to get up off the ice but he did.
I agree that Walkers punch is no where close to what Orpik did to Cole. But, it’s been three years, it’s time to move on, and I for one think most have. It used to be Orpic would get booed from ALL of the caniacs whenever he touched the puck. Last time the Pens came down here, there was just a few that booed him.
Yes, Erik goes after Orpic when he’s on the ice, but he goes after everyone, he loves throughing his body around. He was going after Chara too.
I will NEVER forget the hit, but I’ve moved on.
Good post Cory, I agree with you.
To say these guys don’t want to hurt anyone is obviously wrong. They might not want to break someone’s neck, just for example, but they all want to give the hit that knocks the opposition out for a few playoff games.
Orpik has some talent but the NHL would be a better place without him and all his borderline play. I’ll boo Orpik not because I want revenge or hate him. I don’t. I’ll boo him ( if you will) because I think it gets the crowd involved, and the players can definitely hear it. If you think that makes me look dumb, I say it reminds Orpik that we know who you are and we’re watching you.
He’s not really a borderline player. He does pick his battles and he does go after specific people, but with some obvious exceptions(as with any player), he hits cleanly and finishes his checks. You shouldn’t base your opinion of someone’s abilities based on an unfortunate isolated incident.
-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.
by pascaldupweevil on May 17, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Fist off the uneducated author of this post obviously is not a hockey fan or has most likley ever actually seen a game. OrPrick intentionally injured an opposing player, Walker beat a guy to the punch. Period there Cory, Ill forgive OrPrick the day he rots.
Are you new here? Cory most certainly has seen a hockey game. You can disagree with someone without being an ass about it. I don’t fully agree with him, but he has a point that regardless of how much he actually showed it outwardly, the hit affected Orpik too. I think Orpik is a goon, and I will probably always want to boo the guy, but I can see where Cory is coming from in this article.
Regardless of whether or not you forgive Oprick
The job of the fans is to do as much to help the home team as possible. One of the ways we can do this is to get under the skin of the players on the other team. Hence Oprick. Cindy Crosby. After the last series, zdeno Luganis.
I’ll be booing game 4 when I see Oprick on the ice.
all right now ENOUGH OF THE CINDY JOKES! just remember that if he was playing for your team would you allow anyone to call him that? I hear enough of that on “Puck Daddy’s” blog and would like to NOT HEAR THAT FROM US!…….WE ARE BETTER THAN THAT…….some of us got upset at the “goober” and “NASCAR” comments from Boston why bring that here into this series?! THINK people THINK! Cory, Bubba, sorry, but that is a sore point for me……wondering what would be happening if it was Mario and Wayne playing now……..
Realize the Pens are my second favorite team...
The only other one I follow during the regular season. Growing up it was the Whale when I lived in CT, then Mario, jagr, Francis when the family moved to SC. Listening on the AM while doing homework. Then the Canes when they too moved south. My regular season hope for their games is a Canes win in OT to maximize points, so I am not doing this from a POV of absolute derision.
And lets be realistic, while few of the Canes Fans would characterize themselves as goobers or rednecks, I am sure many of us have friends and acquaintances that match that description quite well. Does it make you like them any less?
I also think it is a fair derision of Pittsburgh to say they are a bunch of whiners. Not all of them, not all the time, and often with reason. But if you compare the Canes reactions to the ones from Pitt over the past few years that is absolutely a difference in our teams. One that makes me proud of the Canes.
Crosby is going to carry that team for a long time. He will not be making the money he is worth in order to give Pittsburgh room under the salary cap. He is absolutely one of the top three players in the league. All of this makes him a target for name calling in a harmless manner. CIndy is a popular one, and it does not apear to get under his skin. If it is how many points would he have this postseason?
What I hope (though doubt) we can call him this series is pointless.
Just FYI...
Using the term “Syndi and the Penqueens” will apparently earn you a reprimand over on Pensburgh :(
your user name leaves much to be desired. please be don’t be posting the same stuff over and over. (about Crosby) We consider that spam. Thanks.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Over and over? I’ve made a grand total of 2 posts on this site and this one was in direct response to the previous which refers to the common use of “CIndy” Crosby.
I understand the username is probably in poor taste for such a highbrow site as this. If we were on the ice, I’d probably tell you that it refers to your M….. oh, nevermind… you might as well just ban me now.
To think that someone would not feel badly about a hit like Orpik’s against Cole would be absurd. Watching the game is one thing, but if you have ever inadvertently injured someone during a sport, you know the feeling of remorse that you get. You definitely want to make someone “feel it” whenever you hit them in any contact sport, but there are VERY FEW, if any, people that actually consciously decide to injure someone.
To those who claim Orpik did not reach out, please observe the article below clearly outlining Orpik’s attempts to mend the situation. I’m not saying Cole should have agreed to forgive him or anything, but Mr. Orpik tried to make things right. It would do everyone some good to actually watch Orpik’s play on a daily basis to see that he plays with grit and passion; his hits are clean as can be.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/cup/2006-05-21-cole_x.htm
They must not tach reading comprehension in Pittsburgh
Look at the date of that article. May 21. Cole was injured March 4.
Recchi came to us over a week later. Orpick asked for the phone number after that.
Too little, too late.
I hope Cole scores the winner while blowing past Orpik.
Regardless, he’ll hear me in Game 3. I’m going to get there early and go over to watch the Pens warm up. He’ll definitely hear me.
by DidJussiThat? on May 18, 2009 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions
crap, of course I would have a typo
in a post mocking another city’s education system.
by DidJussiThat? on May 18, 2009 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions
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