Rinaldo Tags Crombeen, Lecavalier Seeks Retribution on Talbot

Zac Rinaldo lands a punch that knocks the helmet off of B.J. Crombeen AP Photo/Tom Mihalek

Rinaldo Tags Crombeen, Lecavalier Seeks Retribution on Talbot

Feb 6, 2013 2:29 AM John Chandler

It all comes down to how one interprets "the code", and lines may have been crossed during Flyers-Bolts. It's hard to say it doesn't make for some good entertainment, though.

Early on in the game B.J. Crombeen and Zac Rinaldo bumped after a whistle and opted to drop the gloves. They exchanged right hands in a spirited tilt until Rinaldo cracked Crombeen with a punch that crumpled him, sending him towards the ice. Rinaldo added two more while Crombeen was down to a knee and the linesmen stepped in. Crombeen had a tough time getting up and to the box. He was sent to the back for observation and was kept out as a precaution.

The teams exchanged some words afterwards. Later on, a frustrated Vinny Lecavalier tussled with Max Talbot at center ice and the two dropped them. A relatively uneventful scrap took a turn once Talbot hit the ice and Lecavalier snuck in a pair of short punches, likely retaliation for Rinaldo's extra shots on Crombeen.

Rinaldo talked to referee Kelly Sutherland about the end of his fight with Crombeen after he left the penalty box. A mic'd up Rinaldo:

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Was Rinaldo in violation? His comments certainly add another dimension to the conversation. Lecavalier also told reporters that he didn't see what happened between Rinaldo and Crombeen.

We also wouldn't be able to talk Flyers-Lightning without mentioning Tom Sestito and his pair of goals that ended up winning things for Philadelphia. They were Sestito's first tallies since December 2010 while with Columbus.

Elsewhere

Tanner Glass and Matt Martin had a fun toe-to-toe scrap that unfortunately ended when Glass' jersey went up and over his head during Pens-Isles. Steve Begin and Jordin Tootoo caused Mickey Redmond to laugh with joy during Flames-Wings.

Kings-Jackets also spawned two bouts. Colin Fraser grappled with Derek Dorsett and Mike Richards went after Brandon Dubinsky after a big hit on Rob Scuderi. It was the fifth NHL fight between Richards and Dubinsky, former rivals out east. Richards also had a Gordie Howe hat trick.

The night ended with Duncan Keith defending Jamal Mayers' honor against Andrew Desjardins in Hawks-Sharks.

Videos added

Duncan Keith vs Andrew Desjardins Feb 5, 2013
Vincent Lecavalier vs Maxime Talbot Feb 5, 2013
Mike Richards vs Brandon Dubinsky Feb 5, 2013
B.J. Crombeen vs Zac Rinaldo Feb 5, 2013
Steve Begin vs Jordin Tootoo Feb 5, 2013
Tanner Glass vs Matt Martin Feb 5, 2013
Colin Fraser vs Derek Dorsett Feb 5, 2013
Ryane Clowe vs Matt Beleskey Feb 4, 2013
Jay Harrison vs Tom Sestito Feb 2, 2013
Kevin Westgarth vs Frazer McLaren Feb 4, 2013

Comments

"Dont care what Rinaldo says or the ref. He was going down", You must be religious. No matter the evidence, you will always believe your own opinion over what actually happened. Keep on playing with yourself

Posted by Richard Bumm on 2013-02-18 22:30:16

I loved Lecavelier showing some nads with a try at payback. dIdn't knock him out but message deivered.

Posted by Guest on 2013-02-10 15:04:57

Rinaldo's only role is as enforcer, and he can't even follow the code, that's pathetic. Flyers suck right now and they can't goon their way back into the fray in this new NHL. I hate Tampa Bay because they can't win without a huge imbalance of PPs, but Rinaldo is a punk, he was out of line here and he will get his. meanwhile, enjoy being last in your division and out of the playoffs. moron.

PS. new coach. new goalie. nuff said.

Posted by Rangeley_BLKBEAR on 2013-02-07 16:33:56

Nope.

Posted by Brendan Stenson on 2013-02-07 16:27:35

You're comparing a start player to a 4th line winger

you are a moron

NUFF SAID

Posted by Brendan Stenson on 2013-02-07 16:27:02

How about in the previous game when #17 of the flyers threw a cheap shot from behind the dudes back while he wasn't looking or prepared to fight. Phillis dirty but I love the matchup. I hope they meet in the playoffs

Posted by Ricky Reed on 2013-02-07 13:47:15

Lecavelier: 4g 7a 11points
Rinaldo: 0g 0a 0points.
nuff said.

Posted by Rangeley_BLKBEAR on 2013-02-07 09:34:54

It is clear that Zac follows the code. He may have gotten an extra shot in on the way down but fighters throw till they are stopped or know a man is down. He also showed genuine concern for his combatant. Vinny on the other hand clearly knew they were down, waited a second to make sure Max wasn't protecting himself and the ref was out of the way then landed two cheap classless shots. No matter if it was out of retaliation or frustration it was classless. No place for what Vinny did and the league should take note. Letting cheap shots go often perpetuates dirty play.

Posted by True Hockey Fan on 2013-02-07 05:05:46

Rinaldo 's guilty conscience is why he asked the ref. He was late for sure. It was almost as cheap as Kocur on Kyte. If Crombeen had done something dirty (like Matt Cooke) I'd be applauding it, but he didn't. Crombeen should cross check Rinaldo in the face next match.

Posted by tazneverturtled on 2013-02-06 18:21:48

Cheap shot for sure. Someone will teach him a lesson soon. The brotherhood was watching.

Posted by Ron Wagner on 2013-02-06 15:11:02

...Relax!,... just a few, meaningless punches, here.....it's not like Sonny puttin'-the-wood to Carlo in The Godfather,....

Posted by CJ Olcanhenry on 2013-02-06 14:26:11

late punch FOR SURE! Dont care what Rinaldo says or the ref. He was going down, vulnerable and he clobbered him with a heavy right. CHEAP SHOT!

Posted by Sean Hoyland on 2013-02-06 14:01:25

Kudos to hockeyfights.com for posting this. I'm a big Rinaldo fan (...and from the Hammer!) but I was ripping Zac for not holding up in that scrap. The replay, and Zac's comments, certainly clear that up. And sets a good example for sportsmanlike conduct even in the heat of battle.

Posted by Slodrive on 2013-02-06 11:26:56

Rinaldo talked to the referee Kelly Sutherland and said, "I didn't hit him when he was down." and the ref clearly states, "No, you're cool." Lecavalier is a pussy for what he did.

Posted by Mike Mitchell on 2013-02-06 10:44:35

Funny how there is no mention of the deliberate elbow/shoulder to the head thrown by a Lightning player that proceeded the Rinaldo-Crombeen fight. Those are the plays that really concern me.