Cammalleri suspended one game
Montreal Canadiens forward Mike Cammalleri was suspended one game for an incident involving New York Islanders forward Nino Niederreiter. Cammalleri was informed of his punishment while on a conference call with League senior vice president and director
of hockey operations Colin Campbell.
Cammalleri retaliated after Niederreiter doled out what he believed was a cheap hit. Cammalleri engaged the youngster and caught him in the face with his stick. Niederreiter attempted to skate back into play, but Cammalleri slashed his ankle from behind,
forcing the Swiss prospect to the ice.
Niederreiter spoke about the altercation after the game, saying. “I got an elbow first, then kind of got a stick. Then I was trying to get back in the play and got a cheap-shot. It’s pre-season, but you should never do a cheap-shot like that. He came from
behind and I never expected to get slashed. It’s not a good thing.”
Cammalleri received a five-minute major for slashing on the play and was ejected from the game. Meanwhile, Niederreiter was forced out of the contest with what the Islanders later called a bruised calf.
In addition to the one game suspension Cammalleri was fined over $32,000, which is to be placed in the National Hockey League player’s emergency fund.
The suspension will see Cammalleri miss the first game of the season against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. The Richmond Hill native will be disappointed to miss the competition as it takes place in Toronto, minutes away from where he grew up.
Niederreiter is currently fighting for a spot on the Islanders roster and is believed to have been taken out of Saturday’s game for precautionary reasons.
It has not been made clear whether or not Cammalleri will appeal the decision.
Last season with the Canadiens Cammalleri registered 26 goals and 24 assists for 50 points in only 65 games.
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