PHILADELPHIA -- Flyers defenseman Randy Jones was suspended two games by the NHL on Monday for his violent hit on Boston's Patrice Bergeron, making him the third Philadelphia player suspended for a dangerous play this season.
"I'm disappointed," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. "I think it is a situation that we see -- minus the injury to Patrice Bergeron -- I think we see quite often."
The 22-year-old Bergeron was injured after he was hammered to the boards face-first by Jones in the first period of Philadelphia's 2-1 victory over the Bruins.
Bergeron lost consciousness, was transported from the ice on a stretcher and was taken to the hospital where team physician, Dr. Bertram Zarins, diagnosed him with a concussion and a broken nose. No other serious injuries to Bergeron's head or neck were revealed by tests and he was released Sunday.
The suspension was handed down by NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell.
Burnside In The Box
Randy Jones' hit on Patrice Bergeron was the Flyers' third controversial on-ice incident in just over a month. Scott Burnside says Philly needs to take control of its players or pay the price. Story
"I think the reason was because Randy was just a little too aggressive on the player, in his viewpoint, on a player who was in a vulnerable position," Holmgren said.
Jones joins Steve Downie and Jesse Boulerice on Philadelphia's suspended list. Boulerice was suspended 25 games by the NHL earlier this month for striking Vancouver's Ryan Kesler across the face with his stick, the longest single-season ban in league history. Downie was suspended 20 games by the NHL last month for leaving his feet to deliver a deliberate and dangerous hit to the head of Ottawa's Dean McAmmond.
Medical personnel cut away Bergeron's jersey and shoulder pads as they worked on him, placing his neck in a brace. They placed him on a board and then onto a stretcher, his legs taped together and his arms folded across his chest. There was little sign of movement. The game was delayed some 15 minutes.
Jones apologized after the game.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Source: ESPN.com
No comments:
Post a Comment