Story perspectives

Flyers 5-2, Crosby Embellishment Penalty Sparks Billboard.

4/25/2026

Summary

Flyers Beat Penguins

Flyers beat the Penguins 5-2, taking a 3-0 lead after Sidney Crosby (Penguins center) received an embellishment penalty for a high-sticking call on Garnet Hathaway (Flyers forward).
Joe DiBiaggio and Monica McGrail erected a billboard on I-95 showing Sidney Crosby face-down with embellishment definition, remaining through Sunday.
Sidney Crosby said he wants no comment, calling the penalty a trade-off for the Flyers.
Fans posted “We love being petty” online.

Summary

Piccone Slams Penalty

Nick Piccone tweeted that officials deserve a raise after finally penalizing Sidney Crosby for embellishment, the first such call.
He noted that Crosby’s flop has been seen for a couple of decades, stressing the surprise of the recent penalty.
He sarcastically suggested a statue of Francois St-Laurent and Jake Brenk be erected outside Xfinity Mobile Arena if the Flyers win the Stanley Cup, calling it “Not This Time.”

History

Historical Context

After Commissioner David Stern highlighted Tim Duncan’s dives, the NBA introduced its first anti-flopping rule in the 2012-13 season, fining Reggie Evans $5,000 on November 21 2012. The policy, which recorded 24 violations that year, set a precedent that the NHL followed in 2024 when officials flagged Sidney Crosby for embellishment, underscoring leagues’ push for game integrity.

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Flyers Beat Penguins

Flyers beat the Penguins 5-2, taking a 3-0 lead after Sidney Crosby (Penguins center) received an embellishment penalty for a high-sticking call on Garnet Hathaway (Flyers forward).
Joe DiBiaggio and Monica McGrail erected a billboard on I-95 showing Sidney Crosby face-down with embellishment definition, remaining through Sunday.
Sidney Crosby said he wants no comment, calling the penalty a trade-off for the Flyers.
Fans posted “We love being petty” online.

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