Reactions:
NY Daily News: Simon simply ugly - Chris Simon's brutal brutal hit on Rangers winger Ryan Hollweg last night may have been the NHL at its ugliest, but it did help the Rangers move into a tie for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
Simon, the Islanders' tough guy who used to play for the Blueshirts, reacted to a shove by taking a two-handed swing with his stick to chop Hollweg on the chin with 6:31 to go in the third period, setting up the Rangers with a five-minute power play that turned into the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory at Nassau Coliseum. . .
NY Post: CHIN MUSIC - The Blueshirts, winners by 2-1 in a shootout after pouring 57 volleys on Rick DiPietro at the Garden on Monday, were locked in a 1-1 draw in the third period at the Coliseum last night when Ryan Hollweg sent Chris Simon into the boards in the Rangers' defensive zone.
There was no penalty call on Hollweg, nor should there have been. But for whatever reason, Simon lost his mind. As play swept up the other end, the Islanders winger took a couple of strides toward Hollweg and took a baseball-bat swing at the Rangers winger's jaw as if to send No. 44 to the opposite field.
The chop connected with Hollweg's jaw, sending him to the ice, bleeding. Simon was assessed a five-minute match penalty. A minute and 16 seconds later, Petr Prucha scored from in front on the power play to give the surging Rangers - 4-1-2 in their last seven and 8-3-2 in the last 13 constitute a surge - a 2-1 lead they protected until the end, even if it took a controversial video review decision in their favor on a puck that may or may not have crossed Henrik Lundqvist's goal line with 20.4 seconds to go to seal the victory.
"[Simon] has been a pretty honest guy his whole career, but that was disgusting,'' said the Rangers' Sean Avery, a vital force again. "I don't think he should be allowed to play another game the rest of the year...
Wikipedia: 2007 Suspension - On March 8, 2007 The Islanders faced their arch rivals the New York Rangers. At 13:29 in the third period, Rangers forward Ryan Hollweg checked Simon into the boards, which no penalty was called on, though Simon is reported to have suffered a concussion. Seconds later, Simon retaliated by striking Hollweg in the neck (chin area) with his stick. Hollweg escaped serious injury and Simon was given a match penalty for 'attempt to injure' (ejected from the game). Simon's major penalty resulted in the eventual game winning goal by Ranger Petr Prucha. Simon has been suspended indefinitely without pay pending a hearing. In addition the Nassau County District attorney is investigating possible criminal charges against Simon. . .
Glad to know the league took that cheap hit serious enough to issue an indefinite suspension on Simon. He could've killed Hollweg had that stick been a little lower. I haven't seen such a dirty hit since Bertuzzi plowed Moore headfirst into the ice. Come to think of it, his indefinite suspension wasn't so and his actions had damaging consequences.
The dirtiest play I've ever seen. If he had had hit Hollweg in the troat he could have killed him. He should be charged with assault.
kaspar fan-He got 15 games this year, remainder of season, plus 7 playoff games.
down & out-The Nassau County DA is looking into it.