Pittsburgh Penguins fans let their voices be heard and Ron Hextall says he wasn't impacted by the chants.
PITTSBURGH - Fans filled PPG Paints Arena to the brim to watch the Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers in what was supposed to be a grand showing of two of the NHL’s best players.
Instead of getting another exciting chapter in the uncommon battle between Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, fans witnessed a Penguins slaughter not seen in quite some time.
It wasn’t just a poor outing for Crosby and company, however, it was more of a culmination of the poor play and sketchy roster construction the team has had for over two months now.
Fans had seen enough of the mess and had one person to blame, general manager Ron Hextall.
“Fire Hextall” chants broke out three separate times at the arena as the Penguins got boat raced 7-2.
The players said they know it’s on them to be better; head coach Mike Sullivan said he ignores things like that; but what about Hextall himself?
“It doesn’t impact me at all,” Hextall said. “I understand the fans frustrations. We have high expectations, as well. I totally get it.”
Hextall isn’t new to the idea of a stadium full of hockey fans cheering against him or jeering his name in some way.
Heck, he’s not new to such cants coming from Penguins fans from his time as goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers.
“As a GM you know what you’re signing up for,” Hextall said. “I was 22 when I came into the league, criticism is part of the business.”
The fans pay their money to be there and have every right to chant what they want; while something like this does send a certain message, Hextall is keeping his mind on improving the team.
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