Keith Ballard Two Handed Slash on Teammate Tomas Vokoun - Full Incident (HD Multiview)
5:54 December 01, 2009
Sports
HockeyWebCast
ATLANTA -- Florida Panthers goaltender Tomas Vokoun was taken off the ice on a stretcher after he was accidentally hit in the head by the stick of teammate Keith Ballard in the opening period of Monday nights game against the Atlanta Thrashers - November 30th 2009. [ Full Incident - HD Multiview ]
Tomas Vokoun had a laceration to his ear but was alert when he was placed in an ambulance and taken to a local hospital, a Panthers spokesman said.
The incident occurred after Atlantas Ilya Kovalchuk scored a goal at 8:54 of the first period, knocking in his own rebound.
In apparent frustration, Ballard swung his stick at the net, inadvertently striking Vokoun in the head.
-- Colin Campbell, Gregory's dad and NHL discipline czar, says that Ballard will not be suspended for taking a whack at his own goalie. He tells Ken Campbell of The Hockey News that the highlights of that hit -- and everything else that goes with it -- is punishment enough.
It will be on every sports highlight show for the next week, Campbell said. If thats not enough of a punishment
Ken Campbell also talked to Buffalo's Ryan Miller about Ballard's hit:
I dont know about a suspension, Miller said, but youd like to think the guys on your team, when they show anger, theyre going to be cognizant of whats around them. Thats just being angry and being blind to whats around you. Thats no way to handle your emotions on the ice. I dont think a suspension is in order. The team can handle it internally. Its the first time Ive ever seen anything like that.