There is an unwritten rule in hockey that you always stand behind your team. Regardless if the play was dirty/cheap/intent to injure or clean. Coaches do it, players do it, fans do it.
If Brooks Orpik or Matt Cooke were not pens, but played for the caps, they would have said Steckels hit was clean and the NHL made a good call.
Hell ask Ryan Malone about about Hedmans hit on Crosby... Hell probably say, he was just finishing his check. If Ryan Malone was playing for the pens the answer would have been it was a dirty play.
If Crosby EVER goes to another team, I bet the tune of most pens fans will change.
Thats just the way the game is. One mans hook, is anothers good defensive play. Just sayin.