Based upon my friend’s eyewitness testimony, the NHL may regret its suspension of John Tortorella. In fact, if the Rangers organization deposes the three “Ranger” Â fan witnesses, they may have a very good assualt/wrongful behavior suit against The Washington Capitals organization, Ted Leonsis and the NHL.
My friend was sitting right behind Schoenfeld on the glass said he heard and saw the whole thing. (See man in blue and woman in white Ranger jerseys with the Let’s Go Rangers thunderstick.) he was 5 ft away from the abusive fan.
Schoenfeld and Tortorella had requested the Caps Arena security to speak to the abusive fan. Security did speak to the fan but they did not eject him. He was left there to continue the abuse. The incident that precipitated Tortorella’s outburst was the fan spilling something on Tortorella through a large separation in the glass.
The whole back of Tortorella’s suit was wet. It prompted Tortorella’s verbal and then physical response by throwing the water bottle at the abusive fan. The bottle bounced off the abusive man and hit a nearby woman on the arm, not the head as claimed.
The onus is clearly on the Caps and Arena Security for their failure to correct the situation permanently and eject  the fan from the building before he doused liquid on Tortorella. Sadly, there was a little boy sitting with the abusive man. Wonderful example to set for your child.
If I were Dolan, I’d file an injunction against the league tomorrow morning. I would also threaten to revoke NBC’s broadcast rights to the game if the league doesn’t temporarily reverse the decision to suspend Tortorella. I wouldn’t let NBC in the building. I believe Dolan retains all broadcast rights. He could do it. If Soupy and Bettman want to play hardball, I’d throw it right back in their faces.
Even if it means forfeiting the game, someone must put a stop to the imperious Colin Campbell and the smug Gary Bettman. They are making a laughing stock of this league, not John Tortorella and not Sean Avery.
Posted under New York Rangers
This post was written by m hurley on April 25, 2009
As a mutal friend of the witness, I can attest to him being (or at least seeming to be) one of the most honest people I know. I can assure you that his word is true.