The Province from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada • 76

A76 THE PROVINCE Sunday, March 7, 2004 NHL Lindros now out with bad shoulder Eric Lindros' comeback has been delayed indefinitely by a tear in his right shoulder, according to the New York Post. Lindros had hoped to return from "vsr? NHL a Jan. 28 concussion, courtesy of a hit by Washington's Jason Doig, as early as today. But he has undergone three MRIs this week after aggravating an existing problem while shooting pucks last week. The injury may Senators, Ryers clear benches and set scrap record PHILADELPHIA The next time the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators meet, perhaps the game should be staged in a boxing ring, not on the ice.

The bad blood between the rivals escalated into a fight-filled game Friday night as the teams combined for an NHL-record 419 penalty minutes. The old record was 406 set by the Minnesota North Stars and Boston Bruins in 1981. Five separate brawls broke out in the final two minutes and a total of 16 players were ejected. And, by the way, the Flyers beat the Senators 5-3 in a battle of Eastern Conference contenders. "It was exciting for hockey and for our fans," Flyers goaltender Robert Esche said.

The teams meet again in Philadelphia on April 2. The Flyers, eliminated from the playoffs by Ottawa the last two seasons, wanted retribution because Senators forward Martin Havlat hit Mark Recchi in the face with his stick last week. Havlat played his first game after being suspended two games by the NHL, but wasn't involved in any of the fights because Senators coach Jacques Martin let him sit in the penalty box to serve a penalty. With 1:45 left, Flyers enforcer Donald Brashear began the fighting by going after Senators enforcer Rob Ray. After their fight ended, the rest of the players on the ice went after each other, including the goalies as Ottawa's Patrick Lalime skated from his crease to get at Esche.

And Lalime surprised many with a spirited fight. rT.Tx I A i A 4' ill S- V-A Once all the debris was cleared, the fighting resumed as Senators tough guy Chris Neil went after Radovan Somik, who isn't much of a fighter. Flyers centre Michal Handzus called it a "chicken move." Again, all the players, except the new goalies, went at it. When play resumed, more fights broke out as Handzus, also not a fighter, went at Mike Fisher. The Senators centre pummelled Handzus.

"When it's time to go, it's time to go," Handzus said. The teams actually played 24 seconds before the next round of fights broke out. Mild-mannered Flyers John LeClair and Recchi dropped their gloves this time, with Recchi getting good shots on Bryan Smolinski. "My teammates didn't forget what happened," Recchi said. "There was a lot of emotion." The fighting concluded with Philly's Patrick Sharp going against Jason Spezza.

In all, 20 players got fighting penalties and only five players remained on the benches when the game ended. The 409 penalty minutes in the third period set an NHL record, breaking the mark of 372 by the Flyers and Los Angeles Kings In 1 979. Associated Press 0 L- The momi keep Lindros from being dealt before Tuesday's noon trade deadline. Lindros, who had 32 points (10-22) in 39 games before going down, was believed to be on the block. Flames bulk up The Calgary Flames added size and toughness Saturday, acquiring rugged winger Chris Simon from the New York Rangers in exchange for backup goalie Jamie McLennan, forward Blair Betts and prospect Greg Moore.

The Flames also received a seventh-round pick in this June's NHL entry draft. Hrdina to Devils The New Jersey Devils made another move to keep up with their Eastern Conference rivals Friday, acquiring veteran centre Jan Hrdina from the Phoenix Coyotes. In exchange, the defending Stanley Cup champions gave up second-year forward Mike Rupp and a second-round pick In this June's NHL entry draft. From prey to Predators The Nashville Predators acquired forward Sergei Zholtok and defence-man Brad Bombardir from the Minnesota Wild on Friday In exchange for a third- and fourth-round pick in this year's NHL draft. Sharks banged up The San Jose Sharks placed star winger Marco Sturm and defence-man Kyle McLaren on the Injured list Sat urday and recalled forwards Brad Boycs and Miroslav Zalesak from their Al IL affiliate In Cleveland.

Sturm was lost for the season when Colorado's Adam Foote drove him Into the boards Friday nltfit. Sturm, who had 21 goals and 20 assists, broke his leg In the collision. McLaren has missed the Sharks' last four games with a serious cut on his face. New Service NHL STATS, fg A62 I 1 i w- AP Ottawa's Rob Ray shows the after-effects of his bout with Philadelphia's Donald Brashear. ate all the guys then." Clarke, who also attempted to get to Martin outside the Senators dressing room immediately after the game, could be in line (or a fine from the NHL for his comments and actions.

Asked Saturday whether Clarke should be disciplined, Martin answered, "That's a good question." Both teams proclaimed pride in the "character" of their squads. "I'm proud of how we supported each other," Martin said. "We stuck up for each other. It's a good sign of the closeness of the team." Ottawa CHUen Records Ml In Friday ntfht'a ntcx rtyf Mos! minute 419. Most mnirtp, both teams in rtoJ C9 in th U.tJ.

Most pcaly rmnutp. one team in a ie 213. Most mirtytp. tv te-yn in ry- win 09 fi7 By Ken Warren CanWest News Services After the dust settled from Friday's wild brawls between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators, Flyers general manager Bob Clarke tore a strip off Sen-ators coach Jacques Martin. Clarke directed an expletive-laden tirade at Martin on Saturday, claiming the Senators coach hid star players Daniel Alfreds-son, Marian llossa, Martin Havlat and Peter Bondra from the fisticuffs late In the game.

"There was a fight between Rob Ray and Donald Brashear, and Ray wasn't out there to score goals and that fight's over, so let It go," Clarke said. "Then they're Jumping on guys who don't light their guys kept jumping on (expletive) Europeans. "That gutless puke Martin doing that (expletive). But when you pull that (expletive) off, it comes back to get you. They have to come In here (on April 2) one more time.

They won't be able to hide Alfrcdsson and llossa and Now that's, cr, hockey. Ottawa eoatlo Patrick Lnllmo (left) chucks knuckle with Philadelphia goMo Robert Escho In Friday brawlfcst.