TAMPA, Fla. (KDKA/AP) - NHL commissioner Gary Bettman released a statement on Thursday in response to Mario Lemieux's comments about the state of the game.
Last Friday, the Penguins and Islanders were involved in a fight-filled game that resulted in 65 penalties that totaled 346 minutes, including 10 ejections. There were also 15 fighting majors and 20 misconducts.
The NHL responded by suspending two Islander forwards, Matt Martin and Trevor Gillies as well as Penguins' forward Eric Godard.
Martin received a four-game suspension and Gillies received nine games. The league also fined the Islanders $100,000. Godard received an automatic 10-game suspension for coming off the bench to join a fight.
After the punishment, Lemieux released a statement saying the NHL failed in its punishment and questioned his future involvement with the league.
In his statement, Bettman said, "I have the utmost respect and regard for Mario Lemieux, but we're not going to engage in a public debate on this."
"We are very comfortable with the way the league responded to Friday night's game."
RELATED STORIES
Peter Taglianetti Discusses Fallout From Pens-Islanders
Shea-ved Ice: Lemieux's Statement Draws Line In Sand
Hall Of Famer Clark Gillies Doesn't Disagree With Mario
RELATED LINKS
Pittsburgh Penguins
National Hockey League
Bettman Won't Publicly Debate Lemieux's Comments
/ CBS Pittsburgh
TAMPA, Fla. (KDKA/AP) - NHL commissioner Gary Bettman released a statement on Thursday in response to Mario Lemieux's comments about the state of the game.
Last Friday, the Penguins and Islanders were involved in a fight-filled game that resulted in 65 penalties that totaled 346 minutes, including 10 ejections. There were also 15 fighting majors and 20 misconducts.
The NHL responded by suspending two Islander forwards, Matt Martin and Trevor Gillies as well as Penguins' forward Eric Godard.
Martin received a four-game suspension and Gillies received nine games. The league also fined the Islanders $100,000. Godard received an automatic 10-game suspension for coming off the bench to join a fight.
After the punishment, Lemieux released a statement saying the NHL failed in its punishment and questioned his future involvement with the league.
In his statement, Bettman said, "I have the utmost respect and regard for Mario Lemieux, but we're not going to engage in a public debate on this."
"We are very comfortable with the way the league responded to Friday night's game."
RELATED STORIES
Peter Taglianetti Discusses Fallout From Pens-Islanders
Shea-ved Ice: Lemieux's Statement Draws Line In Sand
Hall Of Famer Clark Gillies Doesn't Disagree With Mario
RELATED LINKS
Pittsburgh Penguins
National Hockey League
In:
Featured Local Savings
CBS News Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh community leaders call for closure of South Side bar following stabbing
Second stabbing in as many nights under investigation on Pittsburgh's South Side
Kyrie Irving scores 35 as Mavericks rally past Rockets, 116-111
Detroit Lions beat Minnesota Vikings 19-15 for their 1st loss
Woman killed in Bloomington, Ill., mass shooting was a student, cheerleader
Window washers at UPMC Children's trade the coveralls for capes
House fire in Marshall-Shadeland being investigated as arson
Pope's support not enough for Villanova as Fighting Irish win in Rome