Phoenix Coyotes avoid getting punished following Game 5 actions -NHL Update
National Hockey League (NHL) executive vice president, Colin Campbell, took notice of the Phoenix Coyotes’ players after their aggressive reaction following a Game 5 loss and elimination to Los Angeles Kings during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference
Playoff Finals.
Campbell came out on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, after meeting the four players that were involved in the investigation to announce no disciplinary action against them but also gave a stern warning to anyone involved in such situations in the future.
Coyotes’ Martin Hanzal, goalie Mike Smith, captain Shane Doan and Keith Yandle were the players involved and had separate meetings with Colin Campbell but ultimately came out as free men.
Smith threw his stick in the direction of the referees after Dustin Penner’s game-winning goal in overtime on May 22. Hanzal was seen to be skating aggressively towards the match officials while Doan and Yandle were called in to explain their comments after
the game with the latter going to the extent of saying the referees were biased in their decisions.
"I said to Doan, 'Your comments after the game were not totally correct about the officiating and what you thought.' I said, 'I didn't hear anything after the Chicago series after (Marian) Hossa got hurt and a major wasn't applied. I didn't hear anything
from the Chicago Blackhawks.' I said to Doan, 'There's ups and downs in the playoffs,” Campbell said.
"Doan was the most apologetic," added Campbell. "But I had to bring it full circle. And (Coyotes GM) Donny (Maloney) was very supportive."
The involved players could have faced a punishment including a fine and maybe even suspensions for the upcoming 2012-2013 regular season, but luckily, they were able to escape the wrath of Colin Campbell.
Many circles around the league were expecting at least an apology from the players for their actions but instead were disappointed when they were let off the hook without any sentencing of any kind.
There is no doubt in the fact that Phoenix Coyotes were disappointed after facing a Game 5 loss and were eliminated with just one victory in the series.
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