Sather Demands Protection for Rangers Bench in Game 7

After defeating the Rangers, 5-3, in Game 6 Sunday afternoon, the two teams will play a Game 7 in Washington on Tuesday night. When that game gets played, the New York Rangers want to make sure that there isn't a repeat of the incident that occurred on Friday night in Washington that resulted in a one-game suspension for John Tortorella.

Just minutes before the puck dropped Sunday on Game 6, Rangers GM Glen Sather issued a letter to Gary Bettman providing additional details about what happened on Friday night, supplemented with a number of accusations that the Capitals organization failed to provide enough security to protect Tortorella and the rest of the Rangers players from the fans sitting behind the visiting bench.

Full text of the letter follows after the jump.

Dear Gary:

In addition to your suspension of Coach Tortorella for his actions during last night's game, we respectfully request that you consider appropriate discipline in light of Washington's gross negligence in ensuring the safety of the personnel on the Rangers' bench, including Coach Tortorella, in the face of the Rangers' repeated requests for intervention against egregious fan misconduct during Game 5. As importantly, we would like the League's intervention to ensure that there are adequate security measures in place to protect our personnel in the event there is a Game 7 in Washington.

Neither the NHL nor either team has had the opportunity to conduct a full investigation or to interview all witnesses but the television coverage and the statements made by Rangers bench personnel make clear that Washington utterly failed in its security obligations to the Rangers, not to mention its own fans. The tension was evident from before the opening face-off. Throughout the game, several people seated immediately behind the visitors' bench took advantage of the looseness of the glass panels and the unusually wide gaps between the panels to assault the Rangers with some of the most obscene language imaginable. Because of the way the glass is installed, the patron sitting behind Coach Tortorella (the gray-haired, bearded man in the white T-Shirt) could literally scream into the coach's ear. According to Rangers trainer Jim Ramsay, one patron was screaming at the team, in graphic language, about whether Dan Girardi and Marc Staal have a sexual relationship. This was within earshot of several children seated nearby. Several other fans also made repeated homophobic remarks. Moreover, Mr. Ramsay reported that he and other bench personnel were spit on by one or more "fans" as they yelled through the gaps in the glass.

Your statement tonight referred to alerting security. In the first period, Mr. Ramsay warned the security guard stationed on the nearest stairwell (a large African-American man) that the situation was unacceptable and was likely to get ugly. No action was taken. The misconduct continued. In the second period, Mr. Ramsay warned a female security supervisor that some fans were out of control and that he was concerned that something unfortunate was going to happen. Although this supervisor was equipped with a radio, she apparently took no action, because the same fans were in their seats when the team returned to the bench for the third period. According to press accounts, no fans were ever ejected or permanently removed from their seats.

Washington's failure to respond to what its personnel knew - and were specifically warned - was a potentially dangerous situation contributed significantly to this unfortunate incident. Accordingly, we respectfully request that you consider imposing appropriate discipline on Washington for its knowing failure to protect the Rangers and prevent the situation from deteriorating into an incident that reflects badly on all of us. In addition, we must immediately discuss how Washington is going to handle security for any Game 7. Neither the Rangers nor the well-behaved Capitals fans should be forced to endure the extraordinary level of fan misconduct that Washington failed to prevent in Game 5.

Thank you for your consideration.

Glen

I'll be updating if and when Washington responds.

Latest NHL Images

Carolina Hurricanes' Tuomo Ruutu (15) battles with New Jersey Devils' Johnny Oduya (29) during first period action in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Sunday April 26, 2009. (Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)

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Carolina Hurricanes' Ray Whitney (13) celebrates his goal with teammate Chad LaRose (59) during first period action against the New Jersey Devils in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Sunday April 26, 2009. (Chris Seward/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)

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Carolina Hurricanes' Ray Whitney (13) has his shot stopped by New Jersey Devils' Martin Brodeur (30) during first period action in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Sunday April 26, 2009. (Chris Seward/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)

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Carolina Hurricanes' Tuomo Ruutu (15) works inside against New Jersey Devils' Martin Brodeur (30), Colin White (5) and Johnny Oduya (29) during first period action in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Sunday April 26, 2009. (Chris Seward/Raleigh News & Observer/MCT)

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RALEIGH, NC - APRIL 26: Tuomo Ruutu #15 of the Carolina Hurricanes stands in front of the net as goaltender Martin Brodeur #30 of the New Jersey Devils deflects the puck during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 26, 2009 at RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tuomo Ruutu;Martin Brodeur

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RALEIGH, NC - APRIL 26: Eric Staal #12 of the Carolina Hurricanes collides with Zach Parise #9 of the New Jersey Devils during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 26, 2009 at RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eric Staal;Zach Parise

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RALEIGH, NC - APRIL 26: Mike Mottau #27 of the New Jersey Devils collides with Tuomo Ruutu #15 of the Carolina Hurricanes during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 26, 2009 at RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mike Mottau;Tuomo Ruutu

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RALEIGH, NC - APRIL 26: Ray Whitney #13 and Chad LaRose #59 of the Carolina Hurricanes watch for the puck in front of goaltender Martin Brodeur #30 of the New Jersey Devils during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 26, 2009 at RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ray Whitney;Chad LaRose;Martin Brodeur

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RALEIGH, NC - APRIL 26: Patrick Eaves #44 of the Carolina Hurricanes blocks a shot by Jamie Langenbrunner #15 of the New Jersey Devils during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 26, 2009 at RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Patrick Eaves;Jamie Langenbrunner

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Carolina Hurricanes' Ray Whitney (C) and Eric Staal (L) celebrate Whitney's goal against New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur (R) during the first period of Game 6 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey series in Raleigh, North Carolina April 26, 2009. REUTERS/Ellen Ozier (UNITED STATES SPORT ICE HOCKEY)

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-26-2009 @ 4:21PM

Dee said...

Not a problem. Don't seat anyone in the two rows behind the bench. Give those people who had seats there a suite or comparable seats.

Done.

Oh... and give Torts a pair of earplugs. That should help

4-26-2009 @ 5:07PM

mikey c said...

I love hearing New York whine. By the way what was the final score of game 6

4-27-2009 @ 1:44AM

wwtickets said...

when was the last time washington won a stanley cup. oh thats right. zippo

4-26-2009 @ 5:37PM

kimmieb17 said...

I don't like the Rangers AT ALL, but I have to agree with Glen Sather. What I just read about the fans and the security, to me, is an embarressment to the Washington Capitals organization. I hope for the sport of the game in our Nations Capital they do something about it.

4-26-2009 @ 5:57PM

abu69 said...

bwahahahahha! What a joke. Today at MSG I witnessed a group of Rangers fans heckle a crowd of Caps fans non-stop, including throwing beer and other items at them from the back. When the Caps fan stood up to try to identify the culprit, MSG security finally intervened...to remove the Caps fan.

Crybaby Sather and RangerNation can dish it but apparently they can't take it.

4-26-2009 @ 7:07PM

John said...

Tortorella made a mighty blunder by benching Avery. Avery is one of the few players who take a hit for the good of his team. Notice the results as well as the play of lunqvist since the idiotic benching. The high payed pretty boys
aren't getting the job done. The play of Avery has won game for the Rangers not lost them. Then sit down Orr and let the Capitals goon blindside everyone while the media plays up the pretty boys. I would love to haave him as a team mate while hating to play against him.

4-26-2009 @ 7:33PM

jm27431111 said...

I have been to the Garden many times and Sather should listen to some of the homophobic diatrib e coming from the garden faithful.... thay are rather foul mouthed as well

4-26-2009 @ 9:33PM

slysakova said...

well its kinda sad that the rangers fell into this path w/ game 7 and tots being suspened for 1 game cuz if he wasnt suspended nyr would be in round 2 but things happen and i dont blame tots for that I blame the :P caps fans hehe tots does need earplugs

4-26-2009 @ 9:38PM

kennypga said...

I'm a Red Wings fan & we have idiots like those behind the bench in Washington too! It's very scary that there are people that act the way they did amongst us. More & more I catch myself saying "I don't get it".....the best of America, I'm afraid is well behind us.

hafttwo said...

toiletta should be able to defend himself,shit happens in playoff hockey going to push then at some point people push back. RED WINGS all the way

4-26-2009 @ 9:39PM

typo sorry

4-27-2009 @ 1:09AM

Murray said...

Typical Rangers....always looking for an excuse about why they lose. Just look at the team....THEY SUCK!!!!!!!!

4-27-2009 @ 1:37AM

HockeyFan1980 said...

Wheres Mike Milbury, Peter Mcnab when you need them? Just brings back fond memories of 1979 when Milbury, Mcnab jumped into the stands and Milbury pounded a Ranger fan with his own shoe!

4-27-2009 @ 8:18AM

famerc said...

Caps fans are the worst! I'm continually amazed at the bad rap that the Philly fans get when, last year after the Flyers kicked the Caps' butts out of the playoffs and the TV media was interviewing Jeff Carter, a water bottle was actually thrown at his head by a caps fan and nothing was done or said about it!!!!! I'm not fond of the Rangers either, but don't dish it out if you can't take it. Yea for John T.!

4-27-2009 @ 8:42AM

Douglas said...

Fans have always hurled profanity at players for decades, and security should keep a close watch on fans directly behind players and coaches. It's every fan's right to yell and scream at the games, especially with the prices today, but famns who abuse players directly behind the bench should be careful because even hockey players can take only so much abuse, before going into the stands themselves.

4-29-2009 @ 1:20PM

hendrixfan1964 said...

I've been to many caps games and what sticks out in my mind the most was 1994 when the Rangers won the cup.The Rangers fans at the caps home game were beating other Ranger fans up.All through the game.From the first faceoff they pretty much went at it with each other.Philly fans also have done the same thing.I wish it could be more of that at the games this way the CAPS fans get to enjoy the game on the ice and in the stands.This way every CAPS fan will go home happy.