[canucker]

NHL suspends Havlat for five games


10/17/2005 11:50:28 AM

The NHL has handed Ottawa forward Martin Havlat a five-game suspension for kicking Boston's Hal Gill during Saturday night's game between the Senators and Bruins.

Havlat was not penalized on the play, but the kick was duly noted by the NHL's hockey operations department and the league reviewed the kicking incident late Saturday evening.

Gill was not injured, and the Bruins reportedly did not file a complaint during or after the game. The incident led to a fight between Gill and Senators forward Chris Neil.

Working against Havlat on the decision was that he previously received a two-game suspension from the NHL for kicking defenceman Eric Cairns when the big blueliner was a member of the New York Islanders.
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"One of the factors in reaching this decision is the fact that Mr. Havlat was assessed supplementary discipline on three occasions during a two-month period in 2003-04 including a two-game suspension for a kicking incident," confirmed NHL Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell in a statement.


Based on his average annual salary, Havlat will forfeit $66,326.55 with the money going to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

He will be eligible to return Oct. 30 against Philadelphia.

[Ripcat]

Justice.

Kicking is for football and soccer where the don't have sharp blades strapped to their feet.

[American]

Are we bragging or complaining here?

[Regina]

American American:

:?: Are we bragging or complaining here?

Neither just a heads up to the ones who have him in their hockey pool.........like me. I think he got off lucky with only five games since this isn't his first offence.

[Tman1]

Everyone remember that brawl between the Sens and Flyers that had a record in PIM? I think Havlat instigated that as well. Take note of Hasek's interesting comments when asked if the Sens could make the playoffs he questioned the Sens maturity.

[Northern]

I think he deserved the suspension for sure. I'm a big Sens fan and that wasn't the greatest thing he's done for them. And on another note, I think that suspended players should pay more, but on the other hand, they make less this year.