Rangers Ask NHL To Discipline Capitals

The New York Rangers have sent a letter to the NHL asking the league to discipline the Washington Capitals.  It’s controversial and I know a lot of people won’t agree with it but I do.  I think the Capitals (and their fans) have gotten out of control and there comes a time when someone needs to step in and do something.

It’s been an intense series for the two teams but things have really escalated in the last two games.  The Caps fans were basically allowed to harrass the Rangers, the plexiglass behind their bench had to be replaced, they were spit on and someone poured beer on John Tortorella.  The Rangers allege that Washington’s security failed to intervene when they were asked to do something about the fans.

They also allege that obscene comments were made: “According to Rangers trainer Jim Ramsay, one patron was screaming at the team, in graphic language, about whether defencemen Dan Girardi and Marc Staal have a sexual relationship,” New York general manager Glen Sather wrote in a letter to Bettman that the team released Sunday.  “This was within earshot of several children seated nearby.  Several other fans also made repeated homophobic remarks.”

People came to the defense of John Tortorella, who was banned from one game after he threw a water bottle at fans (among other things).  “I know the heart of the guy and I know the thing that triggered him,” interim assistant coach Jim Schoenfeld said. “It wasn’t any sling to him, and there were many. It was what was said about one of his players. It’s easy to say you’ve got to be in control, you’ve got to keep it in check, you’ve got to turn the other way. There are rules… You can say what you want to Torts … call him whatever you want. He’ll tell you what to do with your horse, but he’s OK with that. Don’t get down on the people he cares about. He will fight for them, and that’s what he did.”

The Rangers feel that they were not properly protected during Game 5 (the league has since increased the security at their games) and they feel that Washington should be penalized for allowing it to happen since it eventually led to the suspension of Tortorella.  “We will follow up on the Rangers’ request, as appropriate,” NHL spokesman Frank Brown said. “We had already implemented additional security procedures for Games 6 and 7 and we don’t anticipate any further problems.”

As if that wasn’t enough, the league is now looking into the behavior of Donald Brashear (Washington) who has a hearing today regarding his actions during Game 6.  He not only got into an altercation with Colton Orr during the warm-up but he also delivered a hit on Blair Betts, who suffered a broken orbital bone.

I hate when a playoff series gets ugly.  It just ruins it for both teams.  It’s a privilege to play in the postseason and I hope the Caps wake up and realize that.

images: TSN