Flyers' Gudas eludes suspension, again

Burly defenseman Radko Gudas escaped a suspension for a third-period hit that leveled rookie Daniel Catenacci in the Flyers' 5-1 win over visiting Buffalo on Thursday.

"You never want to be suspended, so I'm glad it ended this way," Gudas said after Friday's practice in Voorhees.

Gudas, whose team plays a key game against visiting New Jersey on Saturday afternoon, has made four questionable hits that raised the possibility of a suspension this season. He has been suspended once.

After Thursday's game, Buffalo's Marcus Foligno called Gudas an "idiot" and said he's "dirty and he's been known for it. He goes after a rookie who's played three games and he goes right at his head."

Gudas, listed at 6-foot and 204 pounds, didn't want to comment about Foligno's remarks. The two fought in Thursday's game.

As for the incident in question Thursday, Gudas called it a "hockey play."

Catenacci may have suffered a concussion, and he will not play in Friday's game against Montreal.

In December, Gudas was suspended for three games after a hit to the head of Ottawa's Mika Zibanejad.

In October, Gudas was not suspended after a head hit to the Rangers' Viktor Stalberg. Earlier this month, the defenseman eluded a suspension for clipping Montreal's Lucas Lessio near the boards. He received a five-minute penalty and a game misconduct.

The next day, Gudas said he would not change his style of play.

"Setting the tone a little bit is part of my game; it's who I am," he said at the time. "The Flyers got me here for a reason, so I want to make sure that everyone knows I'm on the ice and be the best for my team that I can."

Lately, however, he has played recklessly, accumulating 40 penalty minutes over the last six games.

In Thursday's win, Gudas had two fights, 17 penalty minutes, four hits, six blocked shots and a plus-3 rating.

Coach Dave Hakstol was vague about whether Gudas would be in the lineup Saturday. If he is benched, Hakstol would call on Evgeny Medvedev.

Hakstol said he talked to Gudas about his play Thursday and how he left the Flyers shorthanded.  "There's a big picture to all of it in terms of our main concern; our main goal is do all of the little things necessary to win hockey games," Hakstol said.