Penguins coach Bylsma says Flyers' Hartnell was 'picking on a guy who had a stroke'
During the third period of Saturday's game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, Scott Hartnell took a run at Kris Letang, resulting in coincidental two-minute minors for roughing and a few rather odd post-game comments.
First, here is the incident in question.
After the game, Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma appeared to take exception to Hartnell's actions, especially in light of Letang's recent return to the lineup after missing 10 weeks of play to recover from a stroke.
"I did have that thought when that was going on there," said Bylsma, as per Stephen Whyno of the Canadian Press. "(Letang) kind of had the play there and the puck on his skate to try to score a goal. It fell off his stick and the whistle and everything ensued after that. Yeah it does, a guy picking on a guy who had a stroke."
Upon hearing this, Flyers head coach Craig Berube responded by saying “Then [Letang] shouldn't play. He shouldn’t be out there playing, bottom line. It’s a stupid comment.”
Bylsma later clarified his comments by saying they were made in jest.
Bylsma clarified to me that Hartnell "picking on" Letang quote absolutely said tongue-in-cheek, agreed that if Letang out there, fair game
— Joe Starkey (@JoeStarkey1) April 12, 2014
For his part, Letang - who appeared to have been bitten by Hartnell back in 2010 - had this to say about the incident:
“I got hit from behind, I turn around and it was him. I was not really shocked. but things happen in the game fast. I don’t regret (it).”
Add it all up and it's just another crazy page in the book on this in-state rivalry, one that most hockey fans hope extends into the 2014 NHL playoffs.