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Laviolette on Crosby-Giroux fight: “I loved it”

Peter Laviolette

Philadelphia Flyers coach Peter Laviolette looks on during NHL hockey practice in Buffalo, N.Y., Tuesday, April 19, 2011. The Sabres play the Flyers in Game 4 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs hockey series on Wednesday. (AP Photo/David Duprey)

AP

It seems as though Peter Laviolette has no problem with the rough stuff -- even when it involves his star player.

The Philadelphia Flyers head coach was asked about a first period dust-up between the unlikeliest of combatants -- Sidney Crosby and Claude Giroux -- and responded with real enthusiasm.

“I thought it was great,” Laviolette told reporters. “I loved it. That’s playoff hockey isn’t it? Two of the worlds best players dropping the gloves.”

Here’s the fight, again, for those that missed it:

This was a rare situation for both stars to find themselves in. According to HockeyFights.com, Giroux came into today’s game with three fights under his belt, Crosby five. Giroux last fought in January against the Islanders’ Dylan Reese, Crosby in Nov. 2010 against now-teammate Matt Niskanen.

Of course, the Crosby-Giroux fisticuffs were just the beginning of a penalty-filled opening frame. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia combined for 72 penalty minutes on 18 penalties, including six roughing minors, four fighting majors, two games misconducts and even a five-minute match penalty.

More Laviolette: