The National Hockey League will not suspend any Dallas Star or Detroit Red Wing players for late game antics that occurred late in Game 2 of the Western Conference final.
Stars centre Mike Ribeiro turned up the dial on the nastiness meter at the conclusion of Game 2 after slashing Red Wings' goaltender Chris Osgood in the chest as the buzzer sounded on a 2-1 Detroit victory. The Stars' centre was handed a match penalty for attempt to injure, which carried with it an automatic review by NHL officials. Seconds before the incident, Osgood stuck the butt-end of his stick out as Ribeiro skated by the Detroit net, prompting Ribeiro's retaliation.
Both players have been fined undisclosed amounts by the NHL.
"Even if I did butt-end him, I mean it was an accident, I don't think that justifies a two-hander over top of the net," said Osgood after the game. "He could have gone about it a different way or said something to me."
The incident occurred as the Red Wings were putting the finishing touches on another dominant effort against the Stars. The frustrations of the Stars spilled over with five seconds remaining in regulation as Stars' agitator Steve Ott received a minor for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct for punching Detroit's Kris Draper. Ott was also fined for the incident.
