Vicious Attack Prompts Inquiry

The New York Rangers finished the preseason on a down note last night in losing not just the game but arguably their best player in Alexei Ponikarovsky. With the Rangers already resting injured star winger J. P. Dumont and defenceman Tomas Kloucek they lost Ponikarovsky in an incident that head coach described as "barbaric."

Ponikarovsky had just levelled 6 ft 2 power fowrward Shane Doan with a hit when Doan responded by dropping his gloves and engaging Ponikiarovsky in a fight. The fight was a see saw battle with both sides landing devestating blows. As they began to tire Doan, who had been cut with a heavy hook from the young Ponikarovsky, suddenly performed a move one could only describe as a "power slam." Doan grappled with Ponikarovsky, picked him up, inverted him, leaped into the air, and drove him into the ice.

The Referees pulled Doan off Ponikarovsky and ejected him from the game while Ponikarovsky lay on the ice in obvious pain. Rangers medical staff rushed to his aid and after 10 minutes he was able to get off the ice with assistance from the coaching staff.

"We were very concerened that he may have seriously injured his back but it looks like Poni's going to be ok," fumed GM Burns. "He's got a hip injury and he's out 1-2 weeks which is devestating to our team since he can be out best player on any given night. All I can say to Shane Doan is next time we meet keep your head up. In the mean time we're demanding an inquiry into the event. Nothing will probably come from but we will follow Shane Doan through this league, on any team he plays for, and make him pay the price."