Hawks' Niemi claims ice in Philly “too slippery”

Broad Street Baby – After dropping two straight to the charmed Philadelphia Flyers to even up the series, Chicago Blackhawks' Antti Niemi aired his frustrations.

One of the NHL’s premier netminders, Niemi has had a history of moaning and groaning about conditions. “The ice was slippery around the net. I find the entire Philadelphia organization to be suspect. It was like melted water or something. I can’t get my footing under these conditions. This is how you get a broken neck.”

He also groused about the open-net goal. “Sure, they're gonna score when there’s nobody in the way!. . .Also, did it ever occur to you people that I can’t see s**t out of this helmet?”

Niemi has filed grievances with the NHL Player’s Association that included: the ice was too cold, that his pads were itchy, that he doesn’t get to play enough offense, and that Chicago-style pizza sucks.