SAN JOSE – And so the long arm of the PG-13-rated NHL reached out from Toronto and yanked Bryan Trottier off the Ranger bench for not only last night’s 5-4 victory over the Sharks here last night but Thursday’s game in Calgary as well.
The two-game suspension handed down yesterday was a reaction to the melee the coach helped precipitate when he sent out the makeshift line of Krzysztof Oliwa, Sandy McCarthy and Matt Barnaby for a neutral-zone draw with 2.8 seconds to play in Saturday’s 6-3 loss in Columbus.
In addition, Oliwa was suspended five games and McCarthy fined the league maximum of $1,000.
“I am responsible for the players going on the ice and they’re responsible when they’re on the ice,” Trottier said after being informed by GM Glen Sather of the league’s decision.
The sanctions followed a five-minute phone conversation the coach had had with league VP Colin Campbell yesterday morning.
“I have the suspension, I accept it, I’m going to deal with it and move on,” said Trottier – believed the first Ranger coach ever to be suspended by the NHL.
“Other than that, I really can’t comment right now. I’ve pretty well been advised not to comment.”
Trottier maintained after the match that he had sent that trio onto the ice to “keep things calm.”
McCarthy drew his fine for fighting with Tyler Wright. Oliwa, who was warned by referee Kerry Fraser not to start anything, was suspended the five games for cross-checking and instigating a fight with Grant Marshall immediately off the draw.
“I think the penalty is kind of harsh with this being the first time I’ve ever been suspended or in trouble with the league,” said Oliwa, who had had his nose broken during a first-period fight with Jody Shelley and maintained he cross-checked Marshall to give himself the room he did not have in the previous bout.
“We had no intention of doing anything. Having us out there was the safe thing to do.
“I presented what I had to say to Colin Campbell, but he feels different, and I respect that.”
Oliwa, who waived his right to an in-person hearing, was sent home by the team even though he is permitted to practice while under suspension.
Replaced in the lineup by recall Rico Fata, Oliwa plans to skate on his own at the Garden’s Tarrytown practice rink until he rejoins the team upon its return home following the trip that concludes in Vancouver Saturday.
Without Trottier, the Blueshirts were coached last night by a committee of the three assistants – Jim Schoenfeld, Terry O’Reilly and Ted Green.
Trottier, who did not go on the ice yesterday morning because of a, “cranky, chronic bad back,” is permitted to coach practices during the suspension, but is not allowed to have contact with the team from 90 minutes prior to game-time through 60 minutes after its conclusion.