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Tuesday, November 2, 1999
Dineen's done serving time
Dineen, 36, who was suspended by the league for Sunday's 6-4 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers, pleaded his case with NHL VP Colin Campbell yesterday and will be back in the lineup tomorrow in Washington.
Still, Dineen is bothered by the fact the decision to give him his first suspension in 16 years only supports the fact that Florida coach Terry Murray believed Dineen's move was intentional.
"I just think even the one game lends credence what he said about it being a gutless move and I just don't agree with that. I make that play all the time and I was just trying to get the puck out," said Dineen last night.
"It probably wouldn't bother me if it was anybody else, but it really bothers me coming from that guy. I feel bad about what happened to (Stewart) and I'm sorry that he got hurt. There was nothing intentional there and I was trying to make that point with Colin Campbell."
As a result of the hit, Stewart suffered a concussion. Doctors in Florida have determined he'll be out of action for at least two weeks, but Murray claims he didn't want Dineen suspended.
"I don't want to get any player suspended," said Murray from his Edmonton hotel.
"I know how expensive it can be because you have to call guys up. I just know that we've got a guy that we're going to be without for two weeks.
"Kevin Dineen has served his suspension and as far as I'm concerned, it's over with. The next time we play them, there's not going to be anybody looking for retribution.
"This was two good teams and things just got out of hand - especially when it became 3-0."
It's believed Campbell took the action against Dineen because the league plans to come down hard on Panthers tough guy Chris Wells and defencemen Bret Hedican for their roles in the ugly 5-0 loss to Ottawa.
Hedican will likely get four or five games for slashing and breaking Sami Salo's wrist, while Wells is looking at a game for hitting Dineen from behind. Hedican and Wells also had hearings with Campbell yesterday.
"I'm not going to say that I wasn't trying to slash his stick," said Hedican. "But was I trying to break his arm? God, no. I would never do that and I'm not that type of player."
STAR SEARCH: Fan balloting began yesterday for this season's NHL all-star game.
Fans can vote at arenas, selected restaurants and on the Internet until Jan. 3.
The top NHL players representing Canada and the United States will comprise the North America all-star team and will face the top players from the rest of the world in the 50th NHL all-star game on Feb. 6 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
Among the 114 players on the ballot are Senators goaltender Ron Tugnutt and defenceman Wade Redden (North America), and World team nominee Igor Kravchuk on defence.
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