Update on Pens/Islanders

Check out: http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=552579&navid=DL|PIT|home for the rulings. All of the info I got for this post came from that site.

So, Godard's out for 10 games for leaving the bench and will be fined $40,322.25. This is a pretty standard action for a player that leaves the bench to fight, so I wasn't too surprised. Luckily, Coach Bylsma isn't getting suspended or fined. I'm glad that no other players were suspended.

I'm also glad the NHL came down pretty hard on the Islanders. Gillies, the guy that gave Tangradi a concussion then stood on the side of the ice and made fun of him, is out for nine games and got a pretty hefty reduction in his salary. Martin's out for four games and has to pay a little over what Godard is paying in fines. The Islanders, as a team, is being fined $100,000.

I guess nothing's happening to Haley, for going after Johhny and subsequently making Godard leave the bench to defend him, but Haley doesn't matter as much as Martin and Gillies. I'm not totally satisfied with the ruling because I think both Martin and Gillies deserve longer suspensions.

I guess Max wasn't hurt too badly, but the Martin sucker punch to the head was obnoxious and totally uncalled for. It could have ended Max's career if he hadn't reacted so quickly. I think he deserves a little more than four games.

But whatever. I'm glad the NHL sent a message that they won't tolerate players that take head-shots at other players who are defenseless at the time, like Tangradi and Max were. Fighting is a part of the game, but it should only happen when both players agree to it, and only goalies are going after goalies.

Here's a vid from the NHL network talking about the fines and suspensions:


The Pens play the NY Rangers today at 3. Tangradi's out.


I was going to try to post videos or links of Islanders players talking about the suspensions, but I can't find any. The Islanders site doesn't seem to have interviews from them or anything. Youtube doesn't either. Sorry.

For some more articles about the game, but only from the Pens, check out:

Godard talking about why he left the bench:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_722687.html?source=rss&feed=8

Letang talking about the game:


Interviews with Godard, Bylsma and Max:
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=552506

Edit 2/13 at 2:13 p.m. : Here's what Mario Lemieux, Pens co-owner (who I affectionately refer to as Le Magnifique) had to say:
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=552602&cmpid=pit-twt-pghpenguins