Thornton-Orpik & The Code

Against that backdrop, and given the Bruins’ sweep of Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference finals last spring, emotions were raw in Boston as Thornton chased after Orpik and tried to goad him into dropping the gloves. Orpik didn’t oblige and neither did any of the other Penguins, any of whom could have said, “Want to fight? Then fight me.” Like it or not, that’s The Code in hockey. There comes a time for — call it what you will — payback, answering the bell, facing the music. When Orpik and his teammates refused to do that, Thornton, a player of integrity who has fought players of all sizes throughout his career, was one step closer to blowing his top.