Scott Walker is facing a Game 6 suspension and Paul Maurice a $10,000 fine after he was assessed an instigator penalty for punching Aaron Ward with 2:47 to play.
Asked if he would lose Walker for Game 6, Maurice said, "Not that I know of," but he was aware of the potential fine: "I may have to sell my truck."
But NHL rule 47.22 calls for an automatic suspension for any instigator penalty assesed in the final five minutes of regulation or at any point in overtime, although the NHL has the discretion to waive the suspension.
UPDATE: Bruins coach Claude Julien said Ward may have suffered a broken orbital bone.
47.22 Fines and Suspensions – Instigator in Final Five Minutes of Regulation Time (or Anytime in Overtime) - A player or goalkeeper who is deemed to be the instigator of an altercation in the final five (5) minutes of regulation time or at anytime in overtime, shall automatically be suspended for one game. The Director of Hockey Operations will review every such incident and may rescind the suspension based on a number of criteria. The criteria for the review shall include, but not limited to, the score, previous incidents, etc. The length of suspension will double for each subsequent offense. This suspension shall be served in addition to any other automatic suspensions a player may incur for an accumulation of three or more instigator penalties.
When the one-game suspension is imposed, the Coach shall be fined $10,000 – a fine that will double for each subsequent incident. No team appeals will be permitted either verbally or in writing regarding the assessment of this automatic suspension.
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at 829-8947 or 
Comments
Bulletin board material
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 06:30 — ifyouonlyknewThere are similarities. Actually most are looking at Walker as a 'target" which I disagree. The Jim Rutherford and Jussi Jokinen quotes are classical "bulletin board quotes". Similar to Brentson Buckners quotes which probably was a piece of the puzzle to their Super Bowl shortfall. If the Canes lose this series I would start looking at what your GM says, it is inspiration enough.
I'm only posting
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 13:52 — AlleyOopsso I can say I was a part of the most-commented story in N&O history
Bruins Fans / Bloggers
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 13:52 — CaniacGuySection 332. Game 4. RBC.
Me, my wife row H wearing our Canes sweaters.
Two guys in row G wearing Bruins sweaters.
Lots of poking, prodding, smack talking, jesting, drinking (them, not us), and F*U*N! That's what this game is all about as fans. FUN.
Those guys could not have been nicer. They, as we, went from lows to highs to lows. In the end, the Canes won the game. We shook hands with them, wished them good luck and expressed our hope they'd be in the same seats if and when game 6 was necessary.
It is.
I hope they're there. I hope some of you folks are there too, be you from Boston or Massachusetts or Raleigh or North Carolina or even, G-d forbid Buffalo. But only some of you.
Your homework, due tomorrow at 7:30pm, is to figure out which of you are which. Then come out and tailgate with us ... any of us. We'll welcome you.
But only some of you.
just in....
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 13:50 — pmarz1$2500. fine and no suspension. One wonders why there is a fine involved if in fact after reviewing the play, the league recinded the automatic suspension? Either it is a fight or it's not a fight, there is no middle ground.
gee sure
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 11:42 — esteban1949are alot of posts for this topic...Gee Luke...think there is something else you can write about that will get just as much of a responce beside naked pics of the NHL Refs ???
Go Canes !!
Esteban!
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 12:06 — FurbishLousewartHahaha, I'm so glad I can count on you to bring a measure of sanity to these blogs! For a while there I thought I had gone completely insane.
Go Canes!
Looks like the Boston fans...
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:31 — hockeyfan88...have learned how to work the Internet and flame the N&O blog sites. Congratulations to those arrogant, smug cretins for replacing the Sabres fans as the most obnoxious and despised in the Eastern Conference. Two wins into the series and they feel like they have their comeuppance. Shame on us Hurricanes fans for not bowing to the great Bruins who haven't won the Cup since 1971-72. It must be painful for the B's fans to see the Hartford transplants ascend through the playoffs.
If you want to hang your Cup hopes on pride and heritage, you can stand in line with the Maple Leafs and wait for it there.
Why wouldn't they?
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:37 — Canes73They thought they had won the series after game 1. Now that they have won two games, they must be planning the cup parade.
BAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:37 — SleepingGiantThanks for the laughs hockeyfan88. Let us know when the Panthers become relevant. If you want to be a real sports mecca take a cue from Boston, New York and Chicago. BAHAHAHA
ps Montreal has the most annoying fans. Anyone that boos the national anthem deserves to get knocke out.
Hello??
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:52 — gocanes2why are we talking about the Panthers? I don't think anyone was saying we're a sports mecca or strive to be a sports mecca. Panthers are based out of Charlotte, not Raleigh anyway. Even so, completely irrevelant to this HOCKEY playoff series....
Sports mecca....who cares
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:51 — Canes73Not sure what your other sports teams has to do with this HOCKEY series. Unless Tom Brady is playing goal for the Bruins next game...who cares what the Pats, Celtics, or any other team has done.
Just rubbing it in....
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:57 — JumptheSharkBut I love how there's been no defense of Delhomme by anyone in N.C. That pretty much says it all.
Hockey is the only
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:59 — gocanes2Hockey is the only professional sport that I really follow and really enjoy.....
Montreal
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:46 — hockeyfan88One thing we do agree on is that Montreal is classless for booing the National Anthem. That rubbed everyone the wrong way.
I must say
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 11:01 — SleepingGiantI was at game 1 of the first round and I was at last nights game. I don't give the fans of the other team grief just for wearing their jersey. I enjoyed talking to the Hurricanes fans but I got to tell you the Montreal fans are bad. They are so arrogant, man they travel well though.
So, Ummm...
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:36 — JumptheSharkUmm, you do realize that you just did what you critized us for doing...Your article is very smug, and clearly written by a cretin. At least in this person's opinion.
Hippocrite.
Just read the earlier posts...
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:44 — hockeyfan88...from Silvio, SleepingGiant, and others. They speak volumes.
arrogant Maurice
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 09:24 — SilvioYou johnny come lately Hurricane fans have no standing in this series. To think that you belong in a series with a proud franchise like the Bruins is a joke. The Bruins found their skating legs Sunday night and will run you know-nothings into the ice. Beat you on the scoreboard and beat you up on the ice. Go ahead, scream your lungs out Tuesday night. It won't matter a bit. We'll run you out of your building as well. Can's wait to see that arrogant Maurice mumble out more monotone answers. Game 6: Boston 5, Carolina 1
Game 7: Boston 5, Carolina 0
Wear it....
You johnny come lately Hurricane fans
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:38 — hellfishIt's about time you started playing ,oh yeah wiith help of the refs. You crybaby Boston fans that think you have a birth-right to the cup because of who you are is so 1972 wow! the last time your "proud frachise" has sniffed the cup anyway. Aaron Ward got what he deserved it should have been that hunch-backed Lucic and that big stumble bum Chara flopped like a big wuss and should have been called for diving. You bunch of overrated losers will be playing golf with Blackeyed Aaron on wednesday after we put you down on tuesday night crybabies. Canes 4 BooHooins 2 with a empty netter from Staal. I will be here and on the Globe wednesday talking some real smack so get ready to have your pig english speaking noses rubbed in your own doing chowda babys.
I am so sick of hearing how
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:07 — gocanes2I am so sick of hearing how our Canes don't belong in a series with "a proud fanchise like the Bruins". Obviously, we earned the right to be where we are. You can get on Maurice all you want, but he has turned our team around.....from struggling to get close to a playoff spot to giving the #1 seed in the East a run for their money!
As far as the officiating goes, I agree it would not have gotten so out of hand if there had been more of a crackdown on both sides all along. Didn't give Walker the right to do what he did, but it happened, nonetheless, and probably could have been avoided if everything had been kept in check. The Canes had a bad game last night and would have lost regardless of the officating! We look forward to a better night tomorrow night! Silvio, I wouldn't count your chickens before they're hatched....it's not over until someone wins 4!
Let's go Hurricanes!!!
Hey
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:37 — JumptheSharkHurricanes don't belong in this series....
We wouldn't be where we are
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:41 — gocanes2We wouldn't be where we are if we didn't deserve it. Win or lose for the Canes, it's been quite a run these last few months!
JK
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:48 — JumptheSharkI was just kidding. I wanted to see your reaction.
really?
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:57 — gocanes2It got me a little ruffled especially since you might not really be kidding??!!! LOL! We love our Canes down here!
We'll see, Silvio
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:01 — hockeyfan88I would like to see your posts when the dust has cleared.
Forgive us for not bowing down and kissing your gilded skates. Wow, I used to think that Buffalo had the most obnoxious fans, but I stand corrected. You must be the proud father of that spastic, shirtless kid the TV crew caught on camera. Boston is a great city and has some great denizens (you may need to look that word up, Silvio), but clearly you are doing all of them a disservice with your idiotic cretinism.
HEY!!!
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 12:58 — AVisitFromBostonhockeyfan, your posts have been spot on for the most part but I have two concerns regarding this last one.
1) Fan. Fan. Fan. When you say Boston has the worst fans because you get upset at Silvio, which is what he wants, you lose. Do you see me calling out everyone in Raleigh because reelpirate is a moron?
2) That kid was awesome. Good fan. Having the time of his life. Back off.
You attempt to back off in the end, but I have to call you out when you resort to picking on an 8 year old that is doing what everyone in RBC has and will do, going nuts over their team.
Go B's!!!
Wow
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 17:00 — reelpirateAre you trying to hurt my feelings? No worries....regardless of what you say I will not resort to calling you names.
BTW, I said at the time and will say it now that letting Ward go and re-signing Kaberle after the Cup run was the wrong move. History has shown that to be true. Ward was my favorite defensemen when he played here. He is well spoken and a class act off the ice. On the ice he is the same player today that he was in Carolina. He has always played borderline dirty. He is one of those guys you love to have on your team, but he is an irritant to everyone else. What I love about Scott Walker is he is also well spoken, a class act off the ice, wears his heart on his sleeve on the ice, and unlike Ward is not afraid to drop the gloves to stand up for himself or his teammates. If you are going to play like Ward, but the best you can offer is a shove and a face wash then you have to expect at some point you'll get what is coming to you.
Hurtful
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:00 — FurbishLousewartIs it possible to root for your team without putting down not only the other team, but its hometown and fans as well?
Come on Canes fans, forget all this talk about refs and who deserves what and what goes on after the play is dead, etc. Staal said it best: It's just one game. We lost last night. Let's bring our A-game Tuesday night and show the Bruins why we've made it this far in the playoffs. If we stick to our strengths and don't resort to the Bruins' physical style of play we will put up a good fight.
Even though Boston fans apparently Google Raleigh local newspaper blogs so they can trash talk, thankfully Canes players probably don't. Because the talk going on here is very reminiscent of last night's game and is exactly what we need to avoid in Game 6.
By the way, don't think this series is over for the Canes if the Bruins win tomorrow night. If the Canes have proven one thing these playoffs it's that it ain't over until it's over.
GO CANES!
No Mo
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 09:31 — JumptheSharkSee Mo giving it to the team during that third period intermission? I'd love to see him unravel and suck the the confidence right out of his team. Yeah, they had a rough game. Sometimes that happens. But you could see that we was clueless at the moment. These players are professionals. They don't need him yapping at them on the bench. They already know what's what. It's good to see a little fright in his otherwise smug disposition.
I saw that on Versus as well...but
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 09:43 — Caniac324it looked to me like Mo was actually directing that to the officials as he was making a point that looked like he was saying there should have been a Boarding call. We can all watch on TV but none of us really know what was being said and to who it was directed. Go ahead and dream but I am sure the Canes will be ready tomorrow night to finish off the bruins!!
Turn your blind eye....
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 09:48 — JumptheSharkIn the opinion of the Versus announcers, Mo was giving it to his team. Stop making excuses. He was down in one game. The games was all but over--he wasn't coming back in the third period from a 3-0 deficit. And so, in my opinion, you save that for the locker room.
So, what happens if the Bs get ahead in game six? I think Mo comes apart at the seams. Takes his team down with him.
Smug and arrogant.
Just stating the facts that is all
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:10 — Caniac324Mo was pounding an open hand with the oppisite fist which IS the symbol given by a Ref for Boarding...when they decide to call it that is!
and for the record it was only one of the Versus announcers, who was probably being Tele-prompted for to say. I remember listening to his jirberish and thinking that Mo was looking out on the ICE rather than at the players.
Either way does not matter Canes are up 3-2 and will finish bruins off tomorrow night at the RBC Center and I will be there to see it!!!
Go CANES!!!
Mo
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:07 — hockeyfan88Mo was definitely ripping his team a new one. I like Mo, but that was not a good scene. None of us have coached a NHL playoff team, however, so it's easy for us to armchair this one to death. Mo definitely crossed the line, but I doubt he will do it again.
Cheap Shot
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 09:22 — bewhitakerI do not see this as a cheap shot. If you are standing face to face its just fighting. If you hit somebody from behind. Its a cheap shot. If you look at the photo of Ward and Walker. Ward actually closes his eyes before the punch lands. He was trying to get Walker to come do something stupid and take a penalty. Ward plays that card (like they all do)! Do I think Ward expected a hard right in the jaw? I doubt it. But it was not a CHEAP shot. Walker should sit at least one game. GO CANES!!!!
No not a cheap shot....
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 09:52 — We_Want_Fishsticks..or a surprise hard right to the jaw. It was a SUCKER PUNCH to the eye! Give Walker the full punishment for his Brashear moment.
Who is hurting more ?
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 12:03 — doctoomeyI bet Tim Conboy's face is a lot more sore than Ward's is today. Two Bruins used his face as a speedbag.
Cheap Shot
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 09:22 — bewhitakerI do not see this as a cheap shot. If you are standing face to face its just fighting. If you hit somebody from behind. Its a cjheap shot. If you look at the photo of Ward and Walker. Ward actually closes his eyes before the punch lands. He was trying to get Walker to come do something stupid and take a penalty. Ward plays that card (like they all do)! Do I think Ward expected a hard right in the jaw? I doubt it. But it was not a CHEAP shot. Walker should sit at least one game. GO CANES!!!!
If you want to talk about
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:45 — RPadiIf you want to talk about cheap shots how about Lucik putting two hands on Cam Wards helmet while "falling" and slamming him down on the ice... That my Bruin friends, that is a cheap shot!
What happened between Aaron Ward and Walker is hockey (as ugly as it looks - Ward did not seem very concerned when he was pounding Cullen on the face a couple of seconds before he got punched)
Unbelievable.....
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 12:05 — pmarz1RPadi, do you have at least one objective viewpoint in that head of yours? Lucic just happened to "fall" on Ward? Is that your story??? Any other Canes fans want to chime in on this one? Guys like you are an embarassment to the Canes fan base.
Since no Cane fan will
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 12:49 — AVisitFromBostonumm, pretty sure Lucic landed on Ward because he had his skates yanked out from him by the Cane defensman's stick.
RPadi, did you even watch the game?
Give me a break.....
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 08:49 — Hockeydad92Walker will watch game 6, that is the way the NHL wants it. So what, Ward got what he had been dishing out all series, cheap shot after cheap shot. I like Ward but he has played us with a chip on his shoulder all along. The Canes have played with discipline the whole time but I think when they knew things were out of hand they decided enough was enough. The only shame is that nobody else in red and white can deliver a one swing KO like Walker and that might be needed when the B's come back to the RBC tuesday. I say Conboy needs to take a run at Lucic first shift Tuesday night and set the tone. The NHL and piss poor refs like Peel can't stop the Canes if they bring their A game tomorrow night. Canes in 6 and local economy; another million....
I heard a rumour.....
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:25 — We_Want_Fishsticks..that people in NC had a very limited knowledge of hockey and I just had to come and see for myself. Woooo Weeeeee!!! Cheap shot artists? Come on! The Bruins are a physical in your face team. That's real hockey, kids. You're just not used to that with the Canes.
Conboy to take a run at Lucic? Are you kidding me? The kid lost his fight to Thornton AND Stewart! Now you want him to hit Lucic? Do you like Conboy?
hmmmm......
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 09:09 — pmarz1Hockeydad92, you write:
"Ward got what he had been dishing out all series, cheap shot after cheap shot. "
So you must think Walkers punch was a cheap shot? Nice to see you condoning such acts, you must be setting a fine example for your son/daughter. Last time I checked, Ward hasnt sucker punched anyone resulting in a broken orbital bone. There wont be any retaliation in game 6 or 7 if it goes that far. This is something that will be dealt with next year. If the Bruins are fortunate enough to win the next two, they are also disciplined enough to know they cant lose players going into the next round.
Conboy?
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 09:01 — AVisitFromBostonGood luck sending him to anything. Find someone else on your team that can take more then one punch before falling down.
And anyone can deliver a one swing KO like Walkers. Thats what cheap shots are.
Best indicator of a classless team? Both teams are playing the same way, what the refs will allow. One team has crossed the line, one coach has joked about it, one team has refused to comment on it.
Its one thing to root for the team, its another to want to root for them. If I lived in Raleigh, I would own a Capitals sweater.
Remove "dad" from your sign in before DCS sees it.
okay...
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 09:12 — pmarz1.....this post goes to the top of the heap, love the Caps sweater comment......
"Fans see what they want to see..."
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 09:10 — drailThank you for proving your earlier point. I suppose you didn't see Lucic bouncing Seidenberg's head like a basketball in Game 1 or Savard sucker punching Cole twice in Game 4 as crossing the line.
too funny...
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 09:22 — pmarz1Savard: 5'-10" 191, Cole: 6'-2" 205
last time i checked, a sucker punch is just that, one punch, not two, three, five, etc. Your observation isnt even remotely credible.
Scott Walker: 5'10" 196 Aaron Ward: 6'2" 215
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 09:40 — drailWhat does size have to do with it anyway? If you are not looking and someone punches you in face, its a sucker punch.
Size ??
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 11:39 — esteban1949if you want to debate size...try Chad LaRose giving Chara a shove...and LaRose never backed up an inch either.
Go Canes !!
When the gloves are on they
Mon, 05/11/2009 - 10:38 — We_Want_FishsticksWhen the gloves are on they call it a facewash. EVERYONE does it. It's part of the game. Walker was 3rd man in and dropped his gloves to hit an unwilling participant in the eye with a bare fist. Stop trying to justify his poor judgement. You're comparing apples to oranges.
Bruins fans accepted Lucic getting suspended in round one for a cross check to the face. You now can take your lumps too.