MIKE BLAKE
One game into the Stanley Cup finals, and we've got a controversy.
Vancouver Canucks winger/pest Alex Burrows is expected to have a hearing with the NHL before Saturday's Game 2 after biting the finger of Boston Bruins centre Patrice at the end of the first period.
Burrows received an extra two minute minor on the play but could also receive a one-game suspension.
Here's the video evidence:
Jarkko Ruutu was suspended two games for a bite during the regular season two years ago, so there's a precedent there. And if Burrows misses the next game, it'll be a big loss for the Canucks given he plays on their top line with Henrik and Daniel Sedin and is fourth in team scoring behind the twins and Ryan Kesler.
Judging from some of the postgame reaction, my sense is that he will probably get the one-game suspension, especially with Bergeron having some blood showing on the finger.
Bergeron complained to the officials immediately after the incident happened.
"He cut me a little bit on my finger," he said. "I'm not going to be here and complain about it. I'll let the league do the job.
"That linesman speaks French and his explanation was he said I put my finger in his mouth and he had to do it. I'll leave it at that. I'm sure the league's going to look at it."
Burrows denied that was what happened.
"I think I had his finger in my mouth, but I don't think I bit him," he said.
Bruins coach Claude Julien called the play "a classless move" in his postgame press conference.
"I haven't seen it, to be honest with you," Julien said. "I haven't had time to look at that stuff right now. I'm going by what Patrice told me. Obviously there was something that happened. I guess I'll save my comments for after I see it.
"But if that's the case, it's a classless move, not something players should be doing at this level anyway."