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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Some of you guys are missing some potential fun here. GLAAD put out a statement that the Flyers should educate their fans on why the use of such language is hurtful. Come on, Flyers, I say do it. Please invite GLAAD to hold an informative lecture after the first Flyers home game of the season. AFTER the game, you see, that's the key and when I think Flyers fans would be most receptive. And please televise it. Thank you.— mcsween- I am down with your idea! I will even fly back to attend that game AND remain seated for the lecture. I would pay a premium to witness the fan reaction. Nobody would bother mentioning Santa Claus any time soon :-)
- Wow. A moron, bigot and homophobe. Triple threat. Love the emoticon - very cute and original, sweetie.
— 1980 - Dasher that's funny dude!— Zeedog
- Really dude? That's the best you could do? Why don't you stick to the 420 you F'ing moron.— Drewmcc
- 1980, Avery vs. Simmonds would be an even match??? Yeah. Simmonds would break Avery's face. Avery knows this which is why he results to sucker punching and snitching on other players. Avery had every opportunity to fight Simmonds, and like the coward that he is, chose not to.— studiocity96
- Avery is a gutless punk who does nothing but flap his gums. He alleges a slur was directed at him, but talks about killing other plays on the ice. You stay classy sean avery........PUNK!— Tar Heel 1
- Once Avery loses pest status he will be retired. He has no game. Please ignore him.— CanadianPhilly
- It must realy suck (pun intended) to be so sensitive that any little thing creates this unholy outrage and always warrants a reprimand from someone, whether fact or fiction.
Bring back Riley for 1 game, pay him a lot, and send him on an assasination mission. I can see avery skating for his life like Domi did when Luke Richardson was chasing him.— drenner - Glaad has nothing to do with hockey.Who are they?— bill the pill
- Avery should know that these things are sorted out on the ice and not the press.— MH
- Oh yeah, another thing...better watch your back Danny boy, there's a cheap shot headed your way— drenner
- I'm just glad we have glaad to monitor the social injustice heaped upon such an outstanding individual as mr avery, a fine example of their membership indeed. Rangers, avery and coach tortellini I can't think of a time when I disliked the NYR more. (Ok I'm done)— drenner
- So how come GLAAD is not berating Avery for death threats on the ice?! Would certainly want him as my representative! :)(NOT)— RonnieBatt
- When Eric Staal gets healthy, Avery's big salary and little "production" are going to get buried in the minors with Wade Redden where he belongs. Simmonds and Hartnell WOULD beat him up, but since they won't be in Adirondack, they'll probably not see him on the ice anymore this season. Avery's going to be at the kid's table for Thanksgiving, mark my words.— Americanitis
