Brashear Loses His Appeal

Donald Brashear Suspended For Six Games

Neil Becker

29sports.com

On Monday afternoon the streaking Washington Capitals found out that if they are to beat the New York Rangers in game seven tomorrow night that they will have to do so without tough guy Donald Brashear.

This 37 year-old who signed with Washington last summer to provide muscle and a veteran presence to a young team was sentenced by NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell to a six game suspension based on two seperate events prior to game six. 

Brashear who is no stranger to fistacuffs got a one game suspension for instigating a shoving match with Rangers tough guy Colton Orr during warm ups. The second scenario which netted him a five game vacation came during the first period when Brashear who racked up 121 penalty minutes in only 63 regular season games delivered a late and very questionable hit on an unsuspecting Blair Betts who ended up with a broken orbial bone.

“Brashear delivered a shoulder hit to an unsespecting player,” said Campbell. “It is also my opinion that the hit was delivered late and targeted the head of his opponent, causing significant injury.”

Washington who won game six by a 5-3 score won’t have Brashear for game seven on Tuesday night and will also be missing his services for either the next five playoff games or the first five games of next year.