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Around the NHL
09:03 PM CDT on Saturday, March 15, 2008
Chris Simon was suspended 30 games for intentionally stomping on the foot of Pittsburgh's Jarkko Ruutu in December. Now a member of the Minnesota Wild, Simon said he was floored when Anaheim's Chris Pronger received no suspension for appearing to stomp on the calf of Vancouver's Ryan Kesler this week.
"It would be nice to have things treated fairly. I don't think in that instance it's fair at all," Simon said. "I couldn't believe the way that nothing was going to be done about it. I still can't believe that."
The NHL was reviewing new videotape Friday and may reopen the case.
Oilers rookie center Andrew Cogliano set an NHL record when he scored game-winning goals in three straight overtime games last week. The NHL began overtime in 1983, and no player had accomplished that task before.
Funny thing is, the NHL asked for the stick for the Hockey Hall of Fame, and Cogliano turned it over. Oilers coach Craig MacTavish suggested that maybe Cogliano wasn't done using it.
"He used the same stick on every goal, and they've sent it away?" MacTavish asked. "I hope it's UPS. Maybe we can reverse that and get it back."
The spell was broken Thursday when the Oilers lost, 5-1.
"It's my job to challenge him every night and every day in practice. When I get a chance to play, I have to show my skills. I'm battling for a spot. I'm just not going to hand it over."
– Lightning rookie goalie Karri Ramo, who is 2-1-1 in his last four games with a .915 save percentage, when asked about former Stars goalie Mike Smith taking over as Tampa Bay's No. 1 netminder.
Martin Gerber has played the last seven games for the Ottawa Senators and appears to be their goalie of the present and future. That's leading to speculation that troubled backstop Ray Emery will be bought out in the summer and allowed to seek a new team as an unrestricted free agent.
Ottawa general manager/coach Bryan Murray said he doesn't really have any problem with Emery right now. The goalie who missed practices and was a huge distraction in the room earlier in the season is toeing the line.
"Ray Emery's been fine with me," Murray said. "I think there were some questions about Ray, there's no question about that. I don't think it was fun all the time. "I think there were some guys who were very upset. We're all upset when somebody steps out of line."
Murray said he believes the dressing room is in good shape right now, but he also didn't give any indication of when he might use Emery again.
Colorado at Vancouver (Monday): The Northwest Division race is the best in the league, with four teams within four points entering the weekend. Colorado and Vancouver are hot and cold, and they'll meet on Versus. The Avalanche playsat Calgary on Thursday.
San Jose Sharks: The acquisition of Brian Campbell has been the perfect fit. The skilled defenseman has helped slot players on the blueline, and he also has helped get the puck to a group of talented forwards. The Sharks will have a busy week. They play the Oilers, Kings, Wild and Ducks.
Cam Ward, Carolina: The feeling that he had overachieved in winning the 2006 Stanley Cup was starting to permeate the NHL. However, Ward is 7-1-0 in his last eight decisions (2.11 GAA, .921 save percentage), taking control of the Southeast Division when it was anyone's race to win.
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