NHL Playoffs 2012: Philadelphia Flyers and Hartnell-Mania Runs Wild

The Philadelphia Flyers decisively outplayed the Pittsburgh Penguins this afternoon, and the game got ugly quickly. The Flyers took a 3-0 series lead, but this game will not be remembered for a win. It will be remembered for the mass chaos that ensued not once or twice, but on multiple occasions.

Kevin Allen of USA Today had this to say about the battle between the two teams.

"

 

Flyers-Penguins game's 168 penalty minutes now make these playoffs the chippiest in six years. usat.ly/ItQoAW

— Kevin Allen (@kausatoday) April 15, 2012

"

The video basically explains everything that was going on.

James Neal, Scott Hartnell, Wayne Simmonds, Craig Adams, Sidney Crosby and a few others were involved in many different brawls and scuffles that collectively created mass chaos and pandemonium.

There were rabbit punches, cheap shots, hair-pulling, tons of goals with Hartnell and Flyer-Mania running wild all over the Penguins. Marc Andre-Fleury was chased and a video of Hulk Hogan riled up the crowd.

This is what playoff hockey has come down to ladies and gentleman.

Or is it?

What started out as a tame series escalated into an all-out boiler room brawl in the waning minutes of the third period.

Ever since the NHL failed to hand out the correct discipline to Shea Weber for his WWE smash play, it has been open season for cheap shots, head hits and other illegal activities.

With the playoffs only in the first round, how will things escalate when the pursuit of a Stanley Cup comes closer and more is at stake?

Hockey is a physical sport, but each time a playoff game is being highlighted in prime time, it seems that fights and brawls are becoming more prevalent. All year, players with skill and talent help to get their team into optimal playoff position.

So far, the playoffs has heralded thuggery, pugilism and other nefarious acts. Hockey is a great sport with tons of action but this is not how hockey should be remembered. I am all for tough hits, fights and other physicality, but all-out brawls, cross checks to the throat and other illegal acts should not be tolerated.