Upon Further Review

Sorry, I'm not buying this comparison of Shanahan to a worthless worm like Avery. Shanahan has always shown a level of class as an athlete in the past (I'm sure he's getting frustrated like the rest of the Rangers with Pittsburgh) where Avery has never done anything of the sort. I don't blame Brodeur for not shaking his hand because Avery is hardly a so-called warrior of the NHL. I also believe he wasn't just standing in front of Brodeur screening the goalie. I'm pretty sure he was chirping off some things that were probably very inappropriate, even in the sprts arena. He has a history of doing things like that. It's a shame really, because he does have talent, unfortunately he spends too much time being a distraction to both opponents and teammates.

J. P., your last paragraph is just plain ridiculous. You may listen to his radio program, but you obviously don't know much about Hockey history. Dan Bouchard? I'd hardly put him in the same sentence as Billy Smith and Ron Hextall. Smith and Hextall were not only tough, but they were good at their position. In the end, Brodeur will be respected in the Hall of Fame (rightly so) and Avery will probably be ridiculed in the tabloids (also, rightly so). Milwaukee? Do they even play the game on a serious level there?

If it weren't for the Avery Incident this Shanahan screen would have never been noticed. What Shanahan did has been done before, perhaps the timing and the team drew the fire. A Media story that you can sell as "the reverse Avery" is gold.

Hey,people,I'M buying it.When I found out Avery was going to be a UFA,I WANT Vancouver to go out and get him.I'll take his kind of player ANY day over the over-paid excuses Van currently employs.OF COURSE Avery knew what he was doing to Broduer....I just love the Rocket Scientists saying his back was to the play and he didn't care what was happening.Also,Shanny did the EXACT same thing,brainiacs....different rules for different people.

This is why I listen to Sirius 122 every day on my way home from work. Jeff is absolutely right.
Let's not focus on Avery for a moment and let's look at BRODEUR'S lack of class for not shaking Avery's hand at the end of the series. Nothing screams poor sportsmanship louder than spitting on this NHL tradition, but the purists are all in Brodeur's corner, claiming it's "different".

Given his personal history outside hockey, this kind of thoughtlessness and lack of class are becoming a bit of a trademark for Martin Brodeur.

If Brodeur were any kind of man, like say, Ron Hextall, Dan Bouchard or Billy Smith, Avery wouldn't feel emboldened to enter his area on the ice.

Avery was being brave? Yea, good one. Avery brandinshes his stick like a machete and you call him 'brave'. Rubbish.

Thanks for setting this straight. I had it all wrong thinking that Brendan Shanahan was an exemplar of character and sportsmanship and Sean Avery was wart on the rump of the NHL. Thanks to your excellent reportage, I now realize that Shanny should be indicted as a cheater, but The PEST is the Hallmark of hockey courage.

So, here's to you, Mr. Marek. You are becoming the Sean Avery of internet typing. Frankly, I'd sooner read something presented by a serious hockey journalist.

Sad, just sad that you would say that about Avery. His intent wasn't to screen Brodeur- he didn't even know where the puck was and he didn't care; his back was to the play the entire time! He only cared about mouthing off to Brodeur and propogating his position as huge douche. Please don't defend unsportsmanlike behaviour.

I agree with Jeff. in the NHL, more than in any other league, who you are determines what penalties are imposed and how the act is perceived. Avery doesn't get a walk like shanahan does. But, the same is true with the Flyers and the Canadiens(I am, admittedly a life-long Flyers fan). The Habs are perceived to be a skilled skating team, while the Flyers, in many minds, are still the "Broad Street Bullies". They get the benefit of the calls(simply refer to game 1! Not a goal, NOT a penalty!)

I think what Shanahan did was also pretty bad, but at least he was following the play. There's no way you can justify what Avery was doing. Waving you stick inches from a goalies face is just asking for trouble. If it's the inovative thought and effectiveness of what Avery did that you like so much, maybe you'd appreciate a player squirting the goalie's water bottle in his face while the puck's in their end. That would be innovative and effective.

Give it up Jeff. Stop taking Avery's side just to be controversial, no one is buying it.