We live in interesting times. Talk about the NBA is consumed by a referee who was working with the mob to influence betting on games. Because of Michael Vick we all know more about the world of dogfighting than we ever wanted. And baseball's long steroid era will reach its peak (or nadir, depending on your point of view) when Barry Bonds hits three more home runs.
But the redheaded stepchild of the American sports world, the NHL, has been left out of the fun. Frankly, it would take Gary Bettman taking out the league's offices in a Columbine-esque killing spree to generate any publicity for the beleagured warriors of the ice. Do we give points for effort, though?
Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal was one of 14 people arrested in Cook County, Minn., early Saturday morning and charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing the legal process. One of his three younger brothers was also arrested.
Staal's brother Jordan, who plays for the Penguins, was the sibling arrested at his older brother's bachelor party at a resort. He's only 18 so he was also charged for underage drinking. The group was repeatedly asked to stop being so loud and boisterous before finally being asked to vacate the premises. They took the party to the side of a highway where they yelled at passing cars before the cops interceded and broke up all the fun.
Worry not, though, if you're someone who has had it up to hear with athletes getting in trouble. All of the charges are misdemeanors because this amounts to breaking up a college party that barely spilled out of control. It's not that big a deal. Hell, even Scott Olsen of the Marlins, acting alone, managed to get tasered after leading police on a drunken car chase. You're trying, NHL, and we appreciate it but let's go for bigger ticket criminality in the future.
(Seen on Ballhype)
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