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STEVE KAMPFER
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But the period also turned ugly with 53 seconds left. Michigan defenseman Steve Kampfer, playing along the boards in his own zone, was checked and clothes-lined from behind by Andrew Conboy, who appeared to slam Kampfer to the ice. As Kampfer fell, MSU's Corey Tropp appeared to whack him in the neck area with his stick. Kampfer had knocked Tropp off his feet in a head-on collison in open ice moments before.
As Kampfer lay motionless face-first on the ice, a fight ensued among players, and Tropp was ejected and Conboy received two roughing penalties.
After the game, Kampfer was seen being transported via gurney to an ambulance with a brace around his neck. No further details on Kampfer were available. Berenson refused to comment, saying he didn't see the play unfold.
Meanwhile, just minutes earlier outside of Michigan State's locker room at the opposite end of Yost Ice Arena, a man attempted to attack Michigan State coach Rick Comley, who was heard yelling "I want a cop and I want security right now."
No other details were available regarding that incident, including whether or not the man physically touched Comley.
Comley said he apologized to Berenson after the game and promised that he'd "take care of" his players, implying he'd levy his own disciplinary measures.
CONBOY
TROPP
5 comments:
I didn't see the slashing incident in the game last night - I watched just a little of the game and surfed away when Michigan was awarded the 5th goal after knocking the MSU goalie down. There is no justification for the type of "play" that resulted in the injury - although in my opinion most hockey players are just this side of being goons.
However, I think the Free Press account of the conversation between Comley and Berenson after the game was much more informative and balanced than the Ann Arbor News account, which is what MLive carried.
One thing the Free Press didn't mention - and you edited out in Birches - is that earlier this year the victim suffered a nearly identical injury in "an incident" on the UM campus. This guy has to find a place where he can be safe.
As is so often the case, the officials were looking the other way when Michigan State was the victim. They conspire against Michigan State that way. But boy-o-boy! Just let one Spartan look cross-eyed at someone,and they suspend them for a bunch of games.
Comley should remove at least one of these guys from the team. They are an embarrassment to the University.
All credit to MSU's coach, Comley, for taking this seriously. I've often wondered why attacks which happen to occur during a sporting event rarely result in criminal charges. I'm not aware of a "sporting event exemption" in the law for assault, but it's often treated like any other rule infraction. Todd Bertuzzi comes to mind.
The MLive page that Bud links to on Birches now includes a video clip of the attack.
I thought that the Michigan fans showed admirable restraint in not climbing into the MSU bench and disembowling the hockey team.
Perhaps a more fitting punishment would have been to throw a burning couch into the bench area.
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