Thrasher faces ban for elbow

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published October 22, 2005

TAMPA - Thrashers enforcer Eric Boulton was suspended indefinitely by the NHL pending a hearing for Thursday's unprovoked elbow to the head of Lightning defenseman Paul Ranger.

Ranger sustained a Grade I concussion (the least severe) and a hairline jaw fracture. He is expected out five to seven days.

"It was cheap," Lightning coach John Tortorella said Friday. "There is no honor in it."

Boulton could be suspended at least six games.

Under the new collective bargaining agreement, if the league determines a suspension of that length is warranted, it holds an in-person hearing. Hearings for lesser suspensions are done by phone.

It is believed Boulton will meet with league disciplinarian Colin Campbell on Monday.

Boulton received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for the attack with 2:31 left in Tampa Bay's 6-0 victory.

"I was just trying to finish my hit," Boulton told Atlanta reporters. "I'm not a dirty player. I consider myself a physical player. I don't take cheap shots at guys."

Tortorella said he made "a mistake" ripping Boulton after the game "because I don't think a coach from another team should be criticizing another player."

He also said he did not believe Thrashers coach Bob Hartley sent Boulton onto the ice with sinister intent. But he said that did not mitigate the act.

"I respect what players have to do in this league, especially those type of role players who do a lot of things other people aren't willing to do," Tortorella said. "But there still has to be some honor in it."

Boulton said Tortorella's comments were "expected" and defended the play.

"I feel bad the kid's hurt and I hope he's okay," said Boulton, who started a fracas last week against the Maple Leafs when he elbowed Eric Lindros. "It was definitely unintentional."

Said Hartley: "Was the elbow up right away? I don't think so. I watched the clips. He went in there with the intention of giving a fair hit."

The way the Lightning sees it, a player was lost to a reckless play.

"The biggest thing for us is he has tried to make a difference," Tortorella said of Ranger, who averaged 14:29 of ice time in three games since his Oct. 14 callup. "He hasn't come in and tip-toed. I think some of our older guys could take a lesson from him as far as trying to make a difference."

RANGER REPLIES: Ranger said he feels "pretty good." Of the hit, he said he remembers trying to gather the puck and "seeing something coming from behind me and to the side. I guess it was that elbow."

Ranger said, "When something stupid like that happens, you don't let it affect your game."

A six-game suspension for Boulton would include games Oct. 29 and Nov. 1 against the Lightning.

VINNY MILESTONE: Center Vinny Lecavalier played his 476th game, passing Rob Zamuner's team-record 475.

"I hope there's going to be a lot more than that," Lecavalier said.

DINGMAN RETURNS (KIND OF): Left wing Chris Dingman, benched against the Thrashers, was in the lineup but did not skate a shift.

ODDS AND ENDS: With the Lightning off until Wednesday and looking to preserve as much cap room as possible, forwards Evgeny Artyukhin and Nick Tarnasky were sent to AHL Springfield. They are expected to return for the game against the Devils. ... Lecavalier and Vinny Prospal had four-game goal streaks stopped. ... Senators goaltender Dominik Hasek played his 600th game. ... Ottawa's game tonight in Sunrise against the Panthers was rescheduled for Dec.5 because of Hurricane Wilma.

[Last modified October 22, 2005, 01:14:12]