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Flyers' Boulerice Suspended 25 Games For Hit
Philadelphia Flyers forward Jesse Boulerice was suspended 25 games by the NHL on Friday for crosschecking Vancouver Canucks' Ryan Kesler across the face, matching the largest suspension in league history.
Philadelphia General Manager Holmgren announced the suspension, which was handed down by NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell after Friday's hearing in Toronto, at the Flyers' practice facility.
This is not the first time Boulerice has been suspended for violent conduct. In 1998, he was suspended for one year by the Ontario Hockey League after a violent stick-swinging incident, but moved to the AHL the following season and was ruled ineligible only until mid-November.
Boulerice is the second Flyer to be hit with long suspension in three weeks after rookie Steve Downie was suspended 20 games.
Islanders forward Chris Simon was suspended for 25 games in March for his two-handed stick attack to the face of Ryan Hollweg of the New York Rangers.
Boulerice's vicious hit came late in Philadelphia's 8-2 win over Vancouver on Wednesday night. After some pushing and shoving, Boulerice caught an unsuspecting Kesler across the face with his stick, leaving the Canucks forward lying motionless on the ice. He eventually got up and skated to the bench on his own.
Downie was suspended 20 games by the NHL last month for leaving his feet to deliver a deliberate and dangerous hit to the head of Ottawa's Dean McAmmond. Holmgren said Downie has served two games of the suspension.
The Flyers, once known as the Broad Street Bullies, have quickly established an unwanted identity as a team full of out-of-control goons.
Boulerice received a match penalty for intent to injure and Kesler called for a 20-game suspension.
The 23-year-old center practiced Thursday and expected to play Friday when the Canucks faced the Oilers in Edmonton. The swelling in Kesler's right lip and jaw had subsided, but he still had some red marks on his face.
Boulerice said after the game he was sorry for the hit.
"I reacted in a bad way, the wrong way," he said.
In the OHL incident, Boulerice was charged with assault to do great bodily harm less than murder. He pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of aggravated assault.
The Flyers (2-1) play their home opener against the New York Islanders on Saturday night.
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