So did you hear what Roberts said?

Question

Roberts tried defending himself saying that he didn't punch Franzen, instead Franzen ran into his shoulder by trying to hit him...then he says.. "If he's going to go down like that, he shouldn't be in the NHL"

What the heck... I'm sorry, Franzen just got back from concussion like symptons and just got cleared hours earlier... and hear you are punching his face and defending yourself? C'mon... gimme a break...

Your thoughts on Roberts comments?

P.S Thanks for all the birthday comments!! I hope yall have a great day!!

Answer 1

Franzen hit Roberts' fist with his head in hopes that some of that Gary Roberts magic would rub off on him.

Answer 2

What does it matter what he said...the proof was caught on camera.

Answer 3

oooh, good point.  Franzen came out and scored the series winner in OT.  You can't fault Franzen for that.  That was a punch to the jaw/face.  A lot of times those look harmless, but I challenge anyone who doesn't see that coming to take it in stride,  I can guarantee that was a cobweb cleaner of a punch.  It doesn't take much when you get hit from the side like that.  Hey speedo, "the Pens organization claim Franzen went after Roberts all game"... is this the same organization "claiming" Detroit's obstruction.  Point is when a guy has been out for weeks with concussion symptoms... he is not going to react like nothing happened.  Those punches are a lot worse when you aren't ready for it.  AND HE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE READY FOR A PUNCH TO THE HEAD FROM BEHIND.  Roberts did the same thing to Brad Stuart after Stuart schooled him behind the net to get the puck from him.

Answer 4

Yeah, saw that, too.  I went back to watch the video ---- I've seen knockout punches in boxing that weren't as clear cut as that.  Clearly it was a punch to the head,l and his shoulder had nothing to do with it.  It was a bninski comment by a very frustrated player.

BOB - Love tap?  d**n, I'd hate to be on the wrong end if he actually meant to hit him then!  No, I completely disagree - it was a reasonably full-on hard hit with a fist in the head.

Answer 5

Gee, can you imagine that, he got punched during a hockey game! Stop the presses! Get tough or get lost, it IS a cotact sport.

Answer 6

I think Roberts feels like a chump after all the negative press about the sucker punch/shoulder. I guess his age has affected his memory; wasn't Franzen standing still when Roberts skated towards Franzen and delivered the sissy-like blow?

Typical of what happens when a team is under performing, especially in hockey, the frustration sets in and the goonish behavior comes out. Classless!

Notice that towards the end of the game, all the Pens goons were taking shots up high on Franzen?

Notice how for years that other teams have tried to intimidate the Wings because of the foreign players and there supposed lack of toughness?

Notice how the Wings don't go out of there way to play as such....the epitome of professionalism!

BTW.... H B Day! Lets celebrate with another road victory. Fitting for the best team and fans in hockey home and away!

NONE PRO..agreed....open mouth, insert skates, your youthful Pens aren't keeping up!

Side note, I agree Franzen shouldn't be out there except if we were losing badly, (if even then) however the team that is losing (as we all know) are the Pens!

Answer 7

My thoughts when seeing the play resembled Robert's thoughts......."If he's going to go down like that, he shouldn't be in the NHL". It was a total dive and an embellishment.

Just CLEARED to PLAY. I believe there is a rule that you have to be SYMPTOM FREE for 7 days before you can play. If he wasn't, he SHOULD NOT have been playing then. He dove, plain and simple, no place for it in the game IMO.

I wouldn't even call it a punch, more of a love tap!!

ZATA........Believe me when I tell you that if Roberts WANTED TO, he would clean Datsyuk's clock. ANYONE who has any knowledge of the game (not you) knows that. I actually think Roberts was probably surprised and shaken up to see him lying on the ice.....after he saw the replay, I am sure those emotions turned to utter disgust. I know I was disgusted. Leave that c**p in SOCCER where it belongs.

Answer 8

IF you watched the play, YES Franzen did run into his shoulder trying to hit him. Roberts DID NOT punch Franzen. But the Refs are going to call the games this way all series.

I hope the Pens wise up and unleash Laraque on the Red Wings. Not only do they deserve it, but he would be a great presence on the ice agianst the Red Devils.. er I mean Wings.

Answer 9

I'd like to see Roberts defend himself after he gets a concussion and then is hit in the head after he is cleared to play. No class at all.

Happy birthday!

Answer 10

What is he going to come out and say ...... " Yeah I was trying to cheap shot him and knock him out. I felt like if I could hurt him again out of my frustration that we would have a better chance at game 3 " ...... I dont think we will ever hear that out of anyone! Thats grounds for suspension.. LMAO!

Answer 11

happy b-day, man. and roberts, he's a vetran. franzen is probably just ticked off due to the games he missed. roberts won't accept defeet

Answer 12

What Roberts did was naughty.  I am unsympathetic to these types of shady plays.  Robert explanation is just silly.  I think players should own up to what they do on purpose.   Mischievous?  yes.  Poor Sportsmanship?  yes.  Suspension worthy?  no.  

By the way, Happy Birthday, kid-o.

Answer 13

I fully support Bob and all of his statements. Even Babcock told Datsyuk after the game that if "you would have fought him, he would kill you." Didn't you hear Cherry/Melrose's reaction to those "punches"? They were laughing and all like "Datsyuk was swinging and yelling stooooop" lol. It was nothing more than a lovetap and Franzen went down like a sack of bricks about 2 seconds after getting hit. If he went down like that right away, I might've believed him, but not the way he went down.

Moose: Happy Birthday man! Don't let my Red Wings hating disturb you (it's in my genes), lol. You having a party?

Answer 14

This is the cattiest Stanley Cup ever. As for Datsyuk, he is lucky the linesmen were holding Roberts back so he could throw in his sucker punches. Roberts would've kicked the sh*t out of him.

Answer 15

Happy Birthday! Your the same age as my brother and your born in the same year as my sister. Anyways his comments were out of line but in the end the Wings will be the ones with the last laugh.

Answer 16

Yeah...Franzen was hit by an ARM not a SHOULDER, so I don't know what Roberts is trying to pull...

I'm sorry Mr. Roberts that Franzen is tied with most goals in the playoffs, despite having missed several games, and you're saying he "shouldn't be in the NHL" because he was hit in the face by your arm?  Pathetic...He should at least try to stay classy even though his team is losing in the playoffs...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN!  :o)

Answer 17

Happy Birthday.

Well, on one hand Mr. Roberts has a very interesting point of view.  On the other hand, he's lying.  The shoulder didn't come into play, unless we're saying that they were connected to his arms.  He punched Franzen.  Period.

Added: Just saw the replay again.  It was definitely a punch.

Answer 18

I am a Pens fan and the punch was not necessary, however, coming back from a concussion is not grounds to be left alone.  The Pens organization stated that Franzen went after Roberts more than once during the game.  If he is so fragile than he should not be on the ice, and if he did attempt to go after Roberts than you get what you give.  This is hockey though.  I worked so I only saw bits and pieces of both the first and second games.  My information is based on limited resources and what I saw after the game was over.

Answer 19

Where did you read that? And Happy Birthday!

- Well Even if he did say that, Actions speak louder than words anyway lol.

Answer 20

he also said that it was his shoulder, not his hand, that punched him in the face.

its alright, he got what he had coming when Datsyuk laid a couple right hooks and took him down.

Answer 21

Well if that's his version........I hope he took a look at the tape.......it would be hard to deny his actions unless he is senile.

Answer 22

roberts is a r****d thats why he wears a helmet

Answer 23

It was a cheap shot.

As far as the last poster said about putting out  an enforcer why not the Pens have tried every thing else, the can't skate with the Wings, they can't score, so what left.?

Answer 24

Yeah, it was pretty clear that Robert's punched him in the face. That's one of those situations where Robert's would have been better off not commenting on.

Answer 25

18??? Care to trade a few years???

Happy B-Day.

This is probably the only time that I will ever use the words "class" and "Penguins" in the same sentence. That should be enough.