Nashville Predators ban right, left wings Andrei Kostitsyn, Alexander Radulov over curfew breach
The Nashville Predators have reacted strongly to breach of the curfew by a pair of their players on eve of Game 2 of the playoff semi-finals series and imposed a game ban on them, respectively.
The players in question are right wing, Andrei Kostitsyn, and left wing, Alexander Radulov. They will miss Game 3 of the series on Wednesday, May 02, 2012.
David Poile, Predators’ general manager, while announcing suspension of the players over violation of the relevant rule, said that the team is above all players even though he beholds every one of them in high esteem.
Poile said:
"I've been a manager for 30 years, I care about each individual player, but I've never put an individual player above the team. In this case, the players violated a team rule.”
He added:
“It's disappointing any time a player has to miss a game because of violating a team rule, and it's even more significant at playoff time, but the decision between the coach and myself was very easy.”
Meanwhile, the affected players have remained silent over the issue, except for making respective offers to remain supportive to the team’s move.
Radulov said:
"I'm going to get out there for our whole team, for all of the guys, and support and do what I can do for myself."
None of the parties have disclosed the exact nature of the violation. The wingers joined Predators later into the regular season and have continuously played for them.
Apparently, the GM had made coach, Barry Trotz, and captain, Shea Weber, aware of the decision before announcing it.
The GM also warned the players and other members of the team not to blow the issue out of proportion.
He said it is not for the first time that a player has been suspended due to violation of rules, adding all of them are prone to mistakes and deserve a second chance.
In any case, the absence of these key players is going to be felt by the team in next game as they are the leading scorers of the team.
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