TOP STORY
SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE...
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Sean Avery suspended indefinitely by the NHL, Stars win
For anyone who knows Sean Avery, the following comments, that took place after the Stars morning skate in Calgary, shouldn't come as a shock:
"I am really happy to be back in Calgary, I love Canada," Avery said. "I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don't know what that's about. Enjoy the game tonight."
Those comments were in reference to Flames D Dion Phanuef dating Avery's ex-girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert. Canadiens D Mike Komisarek also dated Elisha for a short while (For the record, being "sloppy seconds" on Elisha Cuthbert isn't a bad place to be). Another one of Avery's ex-girlfriends, Rachel Hunter, is dating Kings C Jarrett Stoll.
It's no shock that Gary Bettman suspended Avery indefinitely only hours after his comments. Stars owner Tom Hicks said that if the NHL didn't suspend him, the team would have. I'm sure Avery has said much worse on the ice during the game, but this is a new low for him (on the record, at least). It would have been bad if he had blurted it out in a media scrum outside his locker, but the fact that he purposely made sure there was a camera rolling for his comments, that's what makes this even worse for him (All of that being said, as wrong as they might have been, I thought the comments were hilarious). This is Sean Avery in a nutshell. Even casual hockey fans or sports fans know of Avery's reputation. He's run his mouth out of Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, and now probably Dallas.
As a Rangers fan, I was one of the few who was glad they didn't resign him. The only reason Avery behaved (for the most part) during his time with the Rangers was because he shared a locker room with two of the greats in Brendan Shanahan and Jaromir Jagr. I don't care how much of a disrespectful nature you have, if those two guys are in your locker room, you're going to scale it down a bit. Once they were gone, there was no one in that locker room that Avery would even consider listening to. Brendan Morrow and Mike Modano are great players, but Avery wouldn't behave for those guys in a million years.
The next questions are:
1) How long will the suspension be?
2) Will he have a future with the Stars?
3) How will this affect the team?
Here are some comments from his Dallas teammates:
-“Certainly it’ll be a situation we’ll have to address when it comes,” veteran forward Mike Modano said. “If it does.” - this was his response when asked if he could earn the team's respect back
-“It’s unacceptable. Our image around the league has been tarnished a bit. We’ve always been able to handle personalities and throw them into the group. But it’s been a bit of work this year.” - More from Modano
-“We gave him chances to be himself, but he said what he said and he does what he does, and that’s his problem right now. This is an organization of being a man and standing up. And if he’s a part of it, he has to own up. The disrespect of this morning and other things over the course of the season have been extremely disappointing. We’re going to focus on what we can do right now. But we’re not going to ignore what happened today or pretend it didn’t happen.” - Stars G Marty Turco
-"The show continues." - Marty Turco, in reference to Avery's antics.
-"I think the words (he used) and his disrespect for an opponent. There’s lots of trash talking that goes on on the ice, but to announce something like that for everyone to hear, that just crosses the line." - Stars HC Dave Tippett when asked what he thought was the most damaging part about his comments.
Those quotes say it all. It seems like most of the team wasn't a big fan of the signing to begin with and now they're reasons are justified. Dallas has been one of the classier organizations in the league for a long time and this is not something they will tolerate. I think Avery will return this season, but will be traded elsewhere. Say what you want about his mouth and antics, but the guy does play well on the ice and serves a role. We've seen it with guys like Terrell Owens and Randy Moss in the NFL. As long as you're not doing something that is physically harmful to others or illegal off the field, a team will always take a chance on a troubled, but talented player. Where Avery goes remains to be seen (lets see how long the suspension is and what playoff contenders will take a chance on a guy like him), but he will play again in 2008-09. It will be interesting to see if the Stars struggles magically disappear now that he will be out of the locker room for the time being.
Dallas Stars (9-11-4) over the Calgary Flames (14-10-1) 3-1
TOP PERFORMER = Stars G Marty Turco - 36 saves
-It appeared that a weight had been lifted off the Stars in their first game without Sean Avery this season. Toby Petersen opened up the scoring for the Stars in the 1st period. In the 2nd period, David Moss would tie things up for Calgary, but Fabian Brunnstrom scored his 7th goal of the season to give Dallas the lead for good. Loui Eriksson would add an empty net goal (his 12th goal of the season). It was just the third time this season and second since Oct. 20 that Marty Turco held the opposition to fewer than two goals and it was the first time Dallas had registered back to back wins. In all but two of Calgary's losses, the Flames have failed to scored more than two goals. Three times they've scored just one goal.
OTHER HEADLINES
!!!THE CAROLINA HURRICANES HAVE FIRED HEAD COACH PETER LAVIOLETTE AND HAVE BROUGHT BACK PAUL MAURICE TO COACH THE TEAM. MORE ON THIS IN TOMORROW'S FROM THE SLOT !!!
-Moscow regional prosecutors said an ice arena manager and a hockey club director were negligent in the death of rising Russian star Alexei Cherepanov. Prosecutors stated that the manager of the Moscow region arena where Cherepanov was playing failed to coordinate proper emergency medical services before the game. The 19-year-old Cherepanov collapsed Oct. 13 while on the bench for Omsk club Avangard in Russia's Continental Hockey League, or KHL. The player, a top prospect for the New York Rangers, died a short time later. Investigators said Cherepanov apparently had chronic ischemia which is a medical condition where not enough blood gets to the heart or other organs. They said that calls into question the competency of arena manager Yury Afonkin and the director of opposing club KHL club Vityaz. The club director, Mikhail Denisov, has already been fired. Prosecutors did not say whether they were planning to file criminal charges. Last month, KHL officials said results of a preliminary investigation showed emergency medical personnel acted properly in treating Cherepanov after his collapse. A comprehensive forensics examination is continuing.
-Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby is closing in on a trio of Montreal Canadiens in voting for the NHL All-Star Game. Montreal players lead all six starting spots on the Eastern Conference team as of Tuesday, and Crosby is within 65,000 votes of third-place forward Alex Tanguay (385,297). Alex Kovalev (393,303) and Saku Koivu (390,026) lead the voting for the position. Crosby is followed by Penguins teammate Evgeni Malkin (264,914). The Canadiens may become the first team to send six starters to the all-star game. Crosby was the leading vote-getter the last two years. The game is Jan. 25 at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Habs defensemen Andrei Markov (440,292) and Mike Komisarek (396,754) have more than twice as many votes as Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara. Montreal's Carey Price appears to be a good bet to start in goal. He has 429,087 votes so far -- well ahead of Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury at 204,308.
-Quebec provincial police divers have recovered the body of former NHL star Hubert (Pit) Martin, who drowned after the snowmobile he was riding on plunged into an icy lake near his home. Divers found the body early Tuesday afternoon, Quebec provincial police said. Martin was a four-time NHL all-star in the 1960s and '70s. Martin, 64, was driving the vehicle on Lake Kanasuta in northwestern Quebec on Sunday when the ice cracked and he plunged into the freezing water, police said.
LAST NIGHT'S RECAP
Philadelphia Flyers (12-7-5) over the Tampa Bay Lightning (6-10-8) 4-3 OT
TOP PERFORMER = Mike Richards - 2 Goals
-The Lightning played a tough game, but didn't play well enough to avoid losing their 5th straight. The teams were even after the 1st period thanks to goals from Jeff Carter (PPG) and Mark Recchi (PPG). The teams would remain tied at 1 after the 2nd period. In the 3rd, Mike Richards (shorthanded) and Jeff Carter (PPG - 2nd of the game) would give Philly a 3-1 lead. Tampa would battle back with goals from Vaclav Prospal (PPG) and Steve Downie (1st of the season) to force OT. At 2:05 of the OT, Mike Richards scored his 2nd goal of the game on a feed from Kimmo Timonen and Jeff Carter to get the win. Philly has earned a point in 10 of its last 11 games while Tampa Bay to 1-6-4 in its last 11 games and is 1-3-4 under interim head coach Rick Tocchet.
Florida Panthers (10-11-3) over the Washington Capitals (13-9-3) 5-3
TOP PERFORMER = Panthers LW Ville Peltonen - 1 Goal, 1 Assist
-The Capitals would hold a 1 goal lead after the 1st period thanks to a PP goal from Nicklas Backstrom. In the 2nd period, Ville Peltonen, Jay Bouwmeester (PPG), and Bryan McCabe (PPG) would give Florida the lead for good. In the 3rd period, Radek Dvorak scored the eventual game winner and Gregory Campbell added an empty net goal. Viktor Kozlov and Tomas Fleischmann (PPG) scored the other Caps goals. It was Washington's first regulation loss at home this season and this was the Panthers' 2nd win in a row.
Montreal Canadiens (14-6-4) over the Atlanta Thrashers (8-13-3) 5-4
TOP PERFORMER = Andrei Kostitsyn - 1 Goal, 2 Assists
-The Canadiens jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first two periods thanks to goals from Matt D'Agostini, Tomas Plekanec, and Andrei Markov (PPG). In the 3rd period, Ron Hainsey scored twice (once on the PP) and Chris Thorburn would net a goal in a :59 span. 7 minutes later, Andrei Kostitsyn and Robert Lang (empty net goal) would give Montreal the lead for good. Jason Williams scored a late goal to keep it close. Atlanta fell to 1-6-1 in its last eight games and has lost four in a row. Canadiens defenseman Ryan O'Byrne, left winger Sergei Kostitsyn and right winger Guillaume Latendresse were healthy scratches.
Phoenix Coyotes (11-11-2) over the Los Angeles Kings (10-11-3) 4-2
TOP PERFORMER = Coyotes LW Enver Lisin - 2 goals (GWG)
-Alexander Frolov got the Kings on the board in the 1st period, but Shane Doan would tie the game up on the power play. In the 2nd period, Oscar Moller gave the Kings the lead again on the power play. In the 3rd period, Enver Lisin scored two goals four minutes apart to give the Coyotes the lead and the win. Martin Hanzal would add an empty net goal. Mikael Tellqvist made 32 saves in the win and won his 3rd game in the past 4 starts. "He was as good as he's been again all year," Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky said of his goalie. "He's just been solid. I know the players like playing in front of him and he's having fun." Tellqvist has appeared in five of the Coyotes' last six games. "We're 21 guys doing the job," Tellqvist said. "As long as they keep it to the outside and let me make the first save, we're going to play well. Hopefully I'll get to play again on Thursday."
San Jose Sharks (21-3-1) over the Toronto Maple Leafs (9-10-6) 5-2
TOP PERFORMER = Sharks C Joe Thornton - 1 Goal, 3 Assists
-Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson's return to San Jose wasn't a memorable one. The Sharks jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the 1st period on goals from Devin Setoguchi, Joe Thornton, Dan Boyle and Marc-Edouard Vlasic (PPG). Nikolai Kulemin got Toronto on the board in the 2nd period. In the 3rd, Joe Pavelski scored his 11th of the season (shorthanded) for San Jose while Niklas Hagman scored a late goal for Toronto. It wasn't a memorable return for Maple Leafs G Vesa Toskala, who made 25 saves on 30 shots. Evgeni Nabokov made 29 saves for San Jose. The Sharks improved to 13-0-1 at home this season and its 21 wins in its first 25 games matches the NHL record. The Sharks also have 43 points in their first 25 games, matching the record set by the 1943-44 Canadiens.
RUMOR MILL
-It appears that the New York Islanders have become players for Marian Gaborik. They would obviously like to sign a guy like that long term, but may still do the deal if they can't. A message to Isles GM Garth Snow: Don't give him a 15 year deal if you do sign him long term.
AROUND THE BOARDS
-Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason, who posted a 5-2-1 record with a 2.09 goals-against average, .919 save percentage and two shutouts in eight games, has been named the NHL Rookie of the Month for November. It marks the second consecutive month a Blue Jackets player has earned top rookie honors, following center Derick Brassard in October.
-The Edmonton Oilers have recalled center Rob Schremp from Springfield (AHL). The 22-year-old has scored one goal and leads the Falcons with 17 assists and 18 points in 18 games this season.
-The Washington Capitals recalled forward Graham Mink from the Hershey Bears (AHL). The 29-year-old Mink has played six career NHL games, most recently on Nov. 26 when the Caps beat Atlanta, 5-3, at Verizon Center. He is tied for 10th in the AHL with 11 goals and tied for eighth with 24 points through 21 games.
-Stefan Legein is returning to the NHL (courtesy of Bob McKenzie of TSN):
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=258235&lid=sublink03&lpos=headlines_nhlGAME OF THE NIGHTPittsburgh Penguins (14-6-3) @ New York Rangers (17-8-2) - 7PMThe Penguins are coming in to this game extremely hot. Pittsburgh has gone 6-2-1 in it's last 8 and Sidney Crosby has six goals in his last three games. He is coming off his 2nd career hat trick in a win over the Devils on Saturday. Evgeni Malkin leads the NHL with 39 points and has notched in a point in all but two games for the Pens this season. On the flip side, the Rangers are coming off a bad 4-0 loss to the Panthers @ MSG on Sunday. They had won their previous 3 games before that. Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist leads the league with 15 wins and has made a habit of playing the Penguins well. He is 9-4-2 with a 1.89 GAA against Pittsburgh the past two seasons. Penguins G Dany Sabourin, who leads the league with a 1.84 GAA while filling in for the injured Marc-Andre Fleury, lost 4-0 on Dec. 18, 2007 at MSG in his only appearance against the Rangers.
Other Action:
Atlanta (8-12-3) @ Ottawa (8-10-4) - 7PM
St. Louis (10-10-2) @ Minnesota (14-8-1) - 8PM
Anaheim (14-9-3) @ Chicago (10-6-6) - 8:30PM
Dallas (9-11-4) @ Edmonton (10-11-1) - 9:30PM
^ALL TIMES EASTERN
*My weekly power rankings, "PLUS/MINUS", comes out Monday evenings
~Dropping the Gloves with Andrew Bogusch comes out tonight!
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