Joined: 09 Apr 2002
Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1718
Posted:
Dec 04, 2006 2:29 am
Though we should have a new Southeast report up Tuesday, it's important that we give an update on the Alexander Ovechkin situation immediately. Ovechkin was automatically fined $100 for his hit on Daniel Briere in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres. The league office will review the hit to see if any further action (I.e, a suspension) will be necessary.
Briere dumped the puck into the Caps' zone late in the second period and was easing up for a line change when Ovechkin finished what appeared to (judging his intent from how I saw it) an effort to hit Briere before he could get rid of the puck. Unfortunately, Ovechkin was considerably late in getting to Briere, and though he seemed to be easing up a bit, still followed through and hit Briere up high, knocking him into the boards.
Ovechkin received a five minute major and a game misconduct for boarding on the play (15 PIM, which most fantasy owners wouldn't complain about), and a fight ensued. The likelihood is that the league will review the tape, deal out a small suspension, and Ovechkin will miss a few games. I'd like to think that he won't get preferential treatment because he's a star, but I'm not sure that the hit warrants a huge suspension because there's little question that he was easing up.
