Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Avery, Tucker, Leafs, Rangers fined

Steve Zipay over at Blue Notes is reporting that the Rangers, Maple Leafs, Sean Avery and Darcy Tucker have all been fined for Saturday night's pregame skirmish...

"...The NHL, citing Sean Avery's role in two pre-game skirmishes in a week, has fined the Rangers $25,000, the Maple Leafs $10,000, Avery the maximum $2,500 and Darcy Tucker $1,000.

'The unprofessional conduct of Avery in initiating this altercation (in Toronto Saturday), less than a week after being involved in an incident in the pre-game warmup in New Jersey, is the basis for this discipline,' said NHL EVP of hockey operations Colin Campbell. 'Tucker also bears some responsibility for his inappropriate response. Both organizations must also be held accountable for their players' actions.'..."

...you have got to be kidding me. Jason Blake starts the whole thing (as proved in the below video), Darcy Tucker holds his stick blade up to Avery's face and Avery gets the maximum fine. Why isn't Blake fined?

...and to add insult to injury Avery has to deal with some crazy Maple Leaf radio announcer stating that his insults included comments about Blake's bout with cancer. Avery now has to file a liable charge against this guy (See New York Post article). And not once have I heard a word from Jason Blake confirming this guy's story.

...Gary Bettman should be embarrassed. The precious Toronto fan base gets all upset, blows this whole ordeal out of proportion and he rolls right along with them. And what's up with Coli Campbell? Wasn't this guy the Rangers head coach at one point? Where's the love?

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