Briere rips 'killer' Avery; fan admits to throwing banana
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Briere rips 'killer' Avery; fan admits to throwing banana
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
(UPDATED at 1:46 p.m.)
Add another episode to the Flyers-Rangers soap opera.
Danny Briere, the Flyers’ star center, took verbal shots at the Rangers’ Sean Avery after practice Wednesday in Voorhees.
Avery had claimed the Flyers’ Wayne Simmonds used a gay slur when shouting at him during Monday’s exhibition game. The NHL found no evidence to support the claim and did not fine Simmonds.
In an audio from Monday’s game, Avery was heard screaming about the Flyers’ Claude Giroux: “I really don’t want to have to f---ing kill Giroux.”
Said Briere on Wednesday: “It’s ironic everyone is defending Avery and it’s OK for him to call guys out about killing them.”
Briere said Avery “just wants attention” and that he deliberately accused Simmonds because he wanted to pile on after the London, Ontario incident. In an apparent racial taunt, a fan threw a banana at Simmonds in that game.
In London, Chris Moorhouse, 26, admitted to throwing the banana, it was announced in a news conference today. He is charged with a provincial offense (not a criminal) and "engaging in a prohibited activity."
He can be fined a maximum of $2,000.
London police said he was remorseful for his actions.
London's police chief said the action did not meet the threshold for charging the individual with a hate crime.
Avery “didn’t mean it literally,” Briere said of the killing comment, “but we all know Sean Avery and how much he likes attention.”
Saying you want to kill someone is more inappropriate than an alleged slur, Briere added.
Ah, the Winter Classic should be, um, interesting. Ditto HBO’s 24/7. The HBO series could probably have an entire episode devoted to Briere, Avery and Simmonds.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), meanwhile, has ripped the NHL for not fining Simmonds. It called Avery a “marriage-equalty advocate.”
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The Flyers worked on their PP Wednesday. The units: JVR-G-Jagr, with Mez-Pronger at points; Voracek-Briere-Hartnell, with Carle-Timonen at points.
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The NHL suspended Tom Sestito for four games _ two in the preseason, two in the regular season _ for his major boarding penalty Monday against the Rangers. Sestito cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent to the AHL Phantoms.
He will be recalled during the season to serve the two regular-season games.
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Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter at BroadStBull.
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- I think you mean Marc Staal. His brother Eric plays for the Hurricanes. Your point is a valid one. Avery is excess baggage.
Someone needs to "sweep the ice" with Avery once and for all. If he instigates and goes into his shell again, like the sissy he is, clock him anyway...get your moneys worth if you have to take a penalty.— dogman5- Studiocity96, I actually was asking. I've seen Avery fight but not Simmonds because I don't watch western conference teams until the playoffs.— 1980
- Wayne Simmonds is one tough customer. In a fight with Avery Simmonds would definitely take him. We saw a lot of Simmonds out here in Orange County, CA. He's no goon, he actually is a very good puck-handler and isn't afraid to go into the corners or stand in front of the net. I'd much rather watch him display those skills than have him stoop to Avery's level, but if Avery presses the issue Sean better hope he has adequate health insurance.
- Avery is the first one out of the locker room after a game...he gets his sh*t packed the night before— 2ndNlong
- Thank God that the NHL is not cow toweing to the GLAAD! At least some organization has some cajones! The fact that GLAAD would allow Avery to be a spokesperson for them speaks volumes. Avery is everything that is wrong with the NHL. He a cheap shot artist with no cajones! He runs, hides or curls up in a ball when it comes down to backing up his mouth and his actions! IF Gays want to dispell so called myths about gays having Avery as a spokesperson is not going to help! He is a wussy!— bluebellious
- Avery hids behind the instigator rule.— Ferrell31
- Avery hids behind the instigator rule.— Ferrell31
- Noone talks about Simmonds actions. Yakking on and on and on at Avery who really got to him. Wayne seems immature to me. Watch the tape.— scchask
- Stop by the Flyers Skate Zone in Vorhees, NJ and share that opinion with Simmonds. Make sure you have your organ donor card with you.
- UMM... Didn't you see Avery sucker punching him while the refs were pulling them apart? Yet, when it came time to go toe to toe he turtled as usual. Stop defending Avery. — frombucks
- avery is a complete a**hole and everyone in the league knows that. didnt he almost get arrested for pushing a cop this summer.— psualum
- Heck I played for years, suit me up for one game and Avery will be gone. I will of course be banned forever with the tactics but he deserves it.— TKL008
- It's only a matter of time before Avery gets one of Shanahan's mega-suspensions. Players like him are like cockroaches and Shanny needs to stomp on him with that giant disciplinarian shoe he's been wearing.— Kanayd
