For those of you who haven't seen it, here's the clip that Hockey Fights.composted to YouTube as a public service early on Thanksgiving morning. Be sure to watch it, just be forewarned that while the video record there is complete, it doesn't tell the whole story about what's going on between the Caps and the Thrashers. To get the whole background, check out the links from yesterday's post on the incident and read some of the supporting materials. It might also help to take a look at my recap of Wednesday night's game -- especially the segment on the third period. The bottom line is simple: The Caps contend that the Thrashers have been cheap-shotting their way through the season so far, and the Caps decided to make a stand -- at least once the Atlanta lead reached 4-2 in the waning minutes and the game was out of reach.
Here's the result, straight from the horse's mouth at NHL.com:
Washington Capitals forwards Donald Brashear and Brian Sutherby and Thrashers' forward Scott Mellanby, have each been suspended automatically for one game, while Washington head coach Glen Hanlon has been fined $30,000 and Atlanta head coach Bob Hartley fined $10,000.
The disciplinary action is pursuant to NHL Rule 47.22, which states "a player who is deemed to be the instigator of an altercation in the final five minutes of regulation time or at any time in overtime, shall automatically be suspended for one game ... in addition, the player's coach shall be fined $10,000 -- a fine that will double for each subsequent incident."
Brashear was also suspended for an additional two games under Rule 29 -- Supplementary Discipline. He will be eligible to return Nov. 30 against Dallas.
For the best perspective on the hows and whys behind the suspension, check out Mike Vogel's post at Dump and Chase (for those who don't know, Vogel works for the Caps but blogs on his own at Dump and Chase). He's managed to clarify the situation well while also reviewing the rap sheet of Andy Sutton, the Atlanta defenseman whose aborted head-hunting mission on Mike Green started the brawl. Vogel also ought to be credited for remembering a decision NHL enforcement czar Colin Campbell rendered last season that's going to lead some to question his judgement today (more here).
Over on Atlanta's side of the legend, ex-Off Wing contributor Ben Wright has yet to address the incident at Blueland Blog (opportunity for equal time and all that).
I'm at a loss to say what the outcome here is going to be for Atlanta, but it's clear to me that the effect on the Caps is going to be pretty profound. I'm sure plenty of you recall that Caps General Manager George McPhee once went mano-a-mano with then-Blackhawks head coach Lorne Molleken after a pre-season game a couple of years back. Now, we have Glen Hanlon showing his players that he's willing to shoulder a $30,000 fine for the sake of the team -- there's no doubt that's going to reinforce the bond between the players, the head coach and the front office.
Hanlon, speaking before the league's ruling, was unrepentant.
"We addressed it, talked about it, and at the end of the day, these are the things that show your team will stick together and do the right things," he said. "We brought in physical players for that reason. We have the ability to protect ourselves."
I think the feeling in Caps nation is best summed up by Caps Chick:
So what can we take away from all of this? Well, first of all, Hartley seems to think that just because no one on his team can fight, fighting should be outlawed. Second of all, Hanlon's a bit of a badass and I love it. Third and most importantly, this is a team that is getting tighter every game. They've been willing to stand up for one another and all out warfare like this, although not necessarily something I want to see every night, can only be good for the Caps. They'll come away with a few black eyes, a few broken noses, and the knowledge that every single guy in a Caps sweater has their back. And that can sometimes mean more than 2 points.
I'd also suggest you stop by the game night discussion string at Southeast Shootout, where things got very interesting later on. Man oh man did the venom for Hartley and the Thrashers come out once things got rolling there.
The announced attendance for Wednesday night's game in Washington was 11,284. I'll be interested to see what it is for Friday night's game with the Leafs in town.
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01:10 AM