Darcy Tucker Fined $2,500

[Humpzilla]

TORONTO (CP) - Forward Darcy Tucker of the Toronto Maple Leafs was fined $2,500 US but escaped any further punishment from the NHL on Tuesday after the league automatically reviewed his match penalty from the previous night's game.

Tucker took the helmet off Cam Janssen during a wild fight Monday night and hit the New Jersey Devils winger on the head with it - twice. He was thrown out of the game with his match penalty and NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell reviewed it Tuesday.

Tucker said after Monday's game, it wasn't intentional.

"It was in the heat of the moment," Tucker said. "I didn't really know what the penalty was for until I got to the dressing room."
Related Info

Tucker is expected to be in the lineup for the Maple Leafs tonight in their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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[Thrillhouse]

Pleasantly surprised. Our line-up is so depleted, we need Tucks in there.

[JKidd]

Kinda suprised he didnt get a suspension. Glad he didnt, but it suprises me.

[Rusty Knuckles]

Thanks for the article.

"It was in the heat of the moment...I didn't really know what the penalty was for until I got to the dressing room."

I don't doubt that this is true, especially coming from an emotion driven player like Tucker, however I think he deserved at least 2 games for this move. A small cash fine is not sufficient in this case and amounts to less than a slap on the wrist.

Either way, whats done is done...TO is lucky, they need this guy in the lineup.

[Berg]

Great news. With Tucker in the lineup tonight it is more likely that we see a fight. I am sure he will piss somebody off.

[keebler61]

I agree with the ruling in a way. If it was someone smaller than Janssen, or if the helmet did damage, then a suspension would be called for, but in the scheme of things, the helmet was irrelevant in the fight.

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by keebler61

I agree with the ruling in a way. If it was someone smaller than Janssen, or if the helmet did damage, then a suspension would be called for, but in the scheme of things, the helmet was irrelevant in the fight.

The helmet could have gave Janssen the cut on his cheek, or it could have been a punch that did it. Either way, this is relatively light.

[Dave_42]

I think the helmet is what gave Janssen the cut on the cheek, and I am sure he would say so as well. It was a nice cut, but I am with everyone else in saying I am glad he didn't get suspended, but it does seem light to me.

[keebler61]

Looking at the replay up in the "You see them brawl" forum, it doesn't look like the helmet was responsible for the cut.

[PuckHogs29]

Janssen- 5'11 205 lbs

Tucker- 5'10 178 lbs

The guy gives up nearly 30 lbs, not sure how much smaller than Janssen you can get.

I thought for sure he'd get 1 game, or a larger fine, I'm surprised by this ruling actually after seeing the replay where it showed Tucker clearly holding on to the helmet.

I wonder what would have happened if it were two different guys in the same situation.

Originally Posted by keebler61

I agree with the ruling in a way. If it was someone smaller than Janssen, or if the helmet did damage, then a suspension would be called for, but in the scheme of things, the helmet was irrelevant in the fight.

[muket_ball]

Originally Posted by keebler61

Looking at the replay up in the "You see them brawl" forum, it doesn't look like the helmet was responsible for the cut.

It doesnt matter if he did any damage, its the point that he tryed to hit him with his helmet.
Tucker is one of my favourite players and is the bravest( or crazyest) player ive ever seen, remember when he jumped Chris Neil in the bench... takes some balls to do that. But anway he should be suspended because he tried to hit him with is helmet, and was succesful. Daniel Carcillo of WBS Penguins got suspended and he toss his helmet at him and it hit his foot. Tucker connected twice and in my measly oppinion he should be suspended.

[DaveBrown69]

Thanks for the article.I'm kinda glad he didn't get suspended.I Think maybe a stiffer fine though.

[Canuck_04]

I was sort of expecting a one - two game suspension, I think he got off pretty easy/

[BROKEN*ORBITAL]

Good call by me in the "you see them brawl" thread. I didn't think he'd get anything. His rep alone could have gotten him 10 games easily though. His excuse about "the heat of the moment" is a legit reason if you think about it. He threw 2 very quick punches and then dropped the helmet. Had he sat there and wound up for a few seconds before striking Janssen it would be obvious intent. I think because he only threw the 2 quick punches though he was able to pass it off as "the heat of the moment". It's logical but this is Darcy Tucker we are talking about here. Does anyone actually doubt that he wouldn't try to use someone's own helmet against them if given the chance? I think his alter ego took over and he knew what he was doing. In fact he was probably kicking himself because he didn't do more damage. Darcy Tucker brings a few different elements to the game that make him fun to watch. Leaf fans should stil be thanking Tampa Bay.

[PhlyerPhanatic]

Regardless of the fact that it was explained by Tucker to have been "in the heat of the moment" and unintentional, he did the crime he should do the time. One game would have been the correct call.

edit* Let's see what happens when a player gets suspended for instigating a fight in the last 5 minutes and doesn't hit a guy with a helmet and gets an automatic game suspension. Something tells me the sh!t will hit the fan.