http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slu...nnsi&type=lgns

But when new manifestations of those grudges actually occur, there is an outcry. Take, for instance, Ilya Kovalchuk calling out hot-shot rookie Sidney Crosby by pointing at him after scoring a power play goal Friday while Crosby sat in the penalty box.

Many deemed this as a "breach of the hockey code of conduct." While unique in its public, showy nature -- and certainly more germane to this era of athletes at large, what with Sharpies and cell phones part of staged NFL celebrations -- the incident's bigger question is whether or not having two of the game's brightest young stars waging a crowing contest is a bad thing.
This article focuses a bit more on Hockey, but the purpose of this thread is for a discourse on all sports.

I don't think Kovalchuk breached any conduct. I love a good in-game smack talk/gestures in the games. I think Mr. Elliot said it best with:

The fans love fire and vitriol. There is a refreshing energy when two young, cocky, gifted players try to help their respective teams win and in the process, posture to get the better of one another. It's colorful and refreshing. Such episodes bring fans closer to the total action -- giving them an inkling of the intensity surrounding most games.
Hell, I wish they could get a microphone down there on the ice. I'd love to hear the smack talk that goes on during a game. If it is anywhere near as good as what went on during my HS Soccer games, I'd be in heaven.

That being said, I'm not a big fan of this:

Kovalchuk went public on the ice with the now-infamous finger pointing and followed it up with post-game remarks that chided Crosby for being shrill and childish. All of this in a back-to-back, home-and-home situation.
Not a particular huge fan of post-game trash talk. Sometimes if it's classy, yes. But the games over. Keep it in game. Kovalchuk made his point with the goal, it didn't need a follow up after the game.

But at any rate, feuds and smack talk. Good for sports? Bad? Is there a line? When is it breached?