Flyers' Richards spared suspension

The NHL's decision yesterday not to suspend Flyers captain Mike Richards for a jarring open-ice hit on Florida's David Booth was greeted with disappointment by those connected to the Panthers.

But the decision has been made and "we've got to move on," Florida general manager Randy Sexton told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel yesterday.

Richards leveled Booth on Saturday, knocking him unconscious and sending him to the hospital with a shoulder-to-jaw check in the middle of the ice.

Replays showed Richards had one skate in the air as he made the hit. It was inconclusive as to whether the other skate was in the air at the time.

If the NHL deemed that both feet were in the air before he made the hit, Richards would have been suspended, but the league agreed with the assessment of Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren - that Richards left his feet only after contact was made.

Richards was in the lineup last night against visiting San Jose.

Booth, a 24-year-old left winger, spent Saturday night at Pennsylvania Hospital before being released yesterday morning and returning to Florida. Sexton said Booth had no neck damage but suffered a concussion and a cut above his eye that needed stitches. The Panthers will monitor him closely.

Blood was on the ice after the violent collision, and Booth was motionless for several minutes.

Sexton told the Sun-Sentinel that he spoke with Booth by telephone for 10 minutes yesterday morning and was "pleasantly surprised" at how Booth sounded. He said Booth was "clearly coherent."

"He was positive, he was upbeat, he wasn't dull," Sexton said. "You know, sometimes you talk to a guy after a concussion and he's a little dull? He wasn't dull at all."

Sexton guessed that Booth would miss at least three games.

The Flyers and Florida don't meet again until Dec. 21, at the Wachovia Center.