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Rypien had no excuse to do what he did. I've been to more than 2000 NHL games in my life and I'm aware that some fans can be total and absolute jerks. Whether this guy was or not I don't know. But, players should never, never touch fans unless they're out on the ice (as I've seen a few times)...........even then use your head. Since it was relatively minor I think he should get something like a 3 game suspension. Fans involved in the incident should usually be thrown out, but since I wasn't there and didn't see the entire mess, I'm uncertain. One thing I do know, access and egress from the rink ought to be set up in such a way the boorish fans can't touch, or be touched by, any players.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 10:36 PM ET  10.20 by Slapshot

Rypien had no excuse to do what he did. I've been to more than 2000 NHL games in my life and I'm aware that some fans can be total and absolute jerks. Whether this guy was or not I don't know. But, players should never, never touch fans unless they're out on the ice (as I've seen a few times)...........even then use your head. Since it was relatively minor I think he should get something like a 3 game suspension. Fans involved in the incident should usually be thrown out, but since I wasn't there and didn't see the entire mess, I'm uncertain. One thing I do know, access and egress from the rink ought to be set up in such a way the boorish fans can't touch, or be touched by, any players.

agreed. I expect to see 7-10 games just because it's Rypien and not some big-name guy. Part of the blame has to go on the workers at the rink for not having the ten like thing they usually have sitting there. But these guys are professionals. They need to act like it. The fan was interviewed and claimed all he said was "Way to be professional" which isn't much at all. I had also heard rumors on ESPN that the guys said something derogatory about Rypien's family. Either way, you have to let it go.

ended up being 6 games...