Stars goalie suspended four games for clubbing Ryan Smyth in the face
EDMONTON - From Marty Turco's viewpoint -- in his crease, with swinging stick in hand -- it was an accident.
From the perspective of the National Hockey League, where such matters of conduct are reviewed, it was a blatant attack and, consequently, warranted a four-game suspension.
The Dallas Stars goaltender initially received a double minor when he smacked Oilers winger Ryan Smyth with his stick in the first period of Wednesday night's game between the two Western Conference foes, leaving Smyth with an eight-stitch gash on his upper lip.
"When you look at the guy and swing your stick like that, it's pretty clear cut," said Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe.
"Isn't it right in the vein of everything they're trying to prevent right now?" said coach Craig MacTavish.
"He clearly whacked him in the face with his hockey stick."
The suspension will cost Turco $195,121.96 US in lost wages and it also means he won't be available when the Oilers play in Dallas next Wednesday.
Last season, Turco was suspended for one game for high-sticking Colorado's Peter Forsberg.
"The puck was in his glove," Smyth said after Wednesday's game. "He knew I was there and just turned around and caught the stick right in my face."
The play unfolded after Smyth, parked in his usual spot in front of the net, turned his body and clipped Turco on the mask with his stick, which obviously incited the netminder.
"I would think you (as a player) would be on your best behaviour in lieu of what's happened recently. It doesn't appear to be the case at this point," Lowe said.
It's been a busy two weeks for director of hockey operations Colin Campbell.
Following the Todd Bertuzzi-Steve Moore incident, Mark Messier of the New York Rangers was given two games for spearing Pittsburgh's Martin Strbak on Sunday; Toronto's Wade Belak eight games for striking Colorado's Ossi Vannanen with his stick on Saturday; and Chris Simon two for kneeing Dallas defenceman Sergei Zubov on Monday.
On Thursday, the NHL also slapped Jody Shelley of Columbus with a three-game suspension for sucker-punching Minnesota defenceman Alex Henry above his right eye on Wednesday.
"I can fully understand the repercussions," Turco said. "It's unfortunate, but if you see the tape, it's tough to argue," Stars captain Mike Modano said of the Turco-Smyth episode.
"And it's the way the league is going right now. They're sending a message that they won't tolerate anything. They've been handing out suspensions left and right, which they should. Hopefully, sooner or later, the message gets through everybody's head."
EDMONTON - From Marty Turco's viewpoint -- in his crease, with swinging stick in hand -- it was an accident.
From the perspective of the National Hockey League, where such matters of conduct are reviewed, it was a blatant attack and, consequently, warranted a four-game suspension.
The Dallas Stars goaltender initially received a double minor when he smacked Oilers winger Ryan Smyth with his stick in the first period of Wednesday night's game between the two Western Conference foes, leaving Smyth with an eight-stitch gash on his upper lip.
"When you look at the guy and swing your stick like that, it's pretty clear cut," said Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe.
"Isn't it right in the vein of everything they're trying to prevent right now?" said coach Craig MacTavish.
"He clearly whacked him in the face with his hockey stick."
The suspension will cost Turco $195,121.96 US in lost wages and it also means he won't be available when the Oilers play in Dallas next Wednesday.
Last season, Turco was suspended for one game for high-sticking Colorado's Peter Forsberg.
"The puck was in his glove," Smyth said after Wednesday's game. "He knew I was there and just turned around and caught the stick right in my face."
The play unfolded after Smyth, parked in his usual spot in front of the net, turned his body and clipped Turco on the mask with his stick, which obviously incited the netminder.
"I would think you (as a player) would be on your best behaviour in lieu of what's happened recently. It doesn't appear to be the case at this point," Lowe said.
It's been a busy two weeks for director of hockey operations Colin Campbell.
Following the Todd Bertuzzi-Steve Moore incident, Mark Messier of the New York Rangers was given two games for spearing Pittsburgh's Martin Strbak on Sunday; Toronto's Wade Belak eight games for striking Colorado's Ossi Vannanen with his stick on Saturday; and Chris Simon two for kneeing Dallas defenceman Sergei Zubov on Monday.
On Thursday, the NHL also slapped Jody Shelley of Columbus with a three-game suspension for sucker-punching Minnesota defenceman Alex Henry above his right eye on Wednesday.
"I can fully understand the repercussions," Turco said. "It's unfortunate, but if you see the tape, it's tough to argue," Stars captain Mike Modano said of the Turco-Smyth episode.
"And it's the way the league is going right now. They're sending a message that they won't tolerate anything. They've been handing out suspensions left and right, which they should. Hopefully, sooner or later, the message gets through everybody's head."
