Briere rips 'killer' Avery; fan admits to throwing banana
(UPDATED at 1:46 p.m.)
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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Sticks and stones, Avery........sticks and stones— malfeasance- isn't Avery the guy who called Elisha Cuthbert "sloppy seconds"? That Avery is a classy guy.— paulNC
- Avery needs to go away...he isn't good for the league. Even his own teammates are tired of his act. It was pricelss against the Devils a few years ago when he was waving his stick and arms like a little girl in front of Martin Brodeur and his own teammate pushed him out of the way...he is a moron!— dgabs
- This has gotten so weird it's getting difficult to follow. I understand GLAAD's wanting to stick up for a guy who - for some unearthly reason that is totally beyond my grasp - publicly supports their position on marriage equality, but it seems they're accepting Avery's allegation as fact, and completely ignoring the fact that Simmonds denies having used an anti-guy epithet in their confrontation. Simmonds v. Avery would be a pretty even match, by the way, wouldn't it?— 1980
- Well said. — lacboi
- You had me until you said "even match". Simmonds would absolutely destroy Avery. It would look a lot like Zak Rinaldo's Ranger beatdown. — georgenhofer
- You shouldn't be surprised by GLAAD's position. In the P-C world, allegation IS fact. Orwell called it "thoughtcrime".
— icarus - GLAAD needs to chill out. Please people if get bent out shape about every little thing said our world should be covered in bubblewrap. As for Avery is a *ick, and is an atttention getter. For GLAAD to back him, show that thats what there are as well.— UGHROLF
- This guy has some serious mental health issues!!!!— quigly46
- I think that it's time for little Sean to finally come out. This is the same piece of garbage that made fun of Jason Blake when he made his comeback from cancer. A real class act. Ranger fans must be so proud. He just needs to go away...— drz2112
- Avery, I hear you like to have "the banana" thrown your way...— dasher
- Calling avery a marriage-equality advocate is like calling Lady Gaga a picture of normalcy. Or Chris Christie thin.— AEPi71
- GLAAD has an advocate in Avery. Political agendas supersede decency. Ask Ms. Cuthbert. Ask half the NHL who have been offended by this little, little manchild. Simmonds may have been a supporter of GLAAD. They should stay out of hockey and take Avery with them.— keith7470
- I honestly believe that Avery is gay. He's willing to say anything that comes to mind, regardless of whom it will hurt... and yet gay slurs are bad? Avery acts like he's living a lie. He's angry, impulsive, disregarding of any honor in the sport and needs to cause trouble for anyone. Simmonds called him out, Avery answered.— macd41144
