Ottawa's Pinto gets long suspension for sports gambling
The NHL suspended Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto for 41 games on Thursday, making the 22-year-old American the first modernday hockey player banned for sports gambling.
The league said the halfseason ban was for “activities relating to sports wagering” and that its investigation found no evidence Pinto bet on NHL games. It did not release other details, including what Pinto did or how he was caught.
“I want to apologize to the National Hockey League, the Ottawa Senators, my teammates, the fans and city of Ottawa and most importantly my family,” Pinto said in a statement released by the team. “I take full responsibility for my actions and look forward to getting back on the ice with my team.”
Pinto is not appealing the suspension, part of an agreement among the league, player and NHL Players' Association to resolve the situation. The league said it considers the matter closed, barring any new information in the case.
Coach D.J. Smith told reporters at the team's morning skate in New York that the Senators would help Pinto and welcome him back with open arms when he's eligible to return.
That would be the middle of this season, once Pinto signs a contract. He is currently an unsigned restricted free agent and was the last player in that category without a deal, something this suspension begins to explain.
“Shane is a valued member of our hockey club; an engaging, intelligent young man who made poor decisions that have resulted in a suspension by the National Hockey League,” the Senators said, in part, in a statement. “We know he is remorseful for his mistakes. The Ottawa Senators fully support the NHL's rules on gambling.”
PENGUINS 4, AVALANCHE 0 ❯❯
Reilly Smith scored twice, Tristan Jarry stopped 30 shots and host Pittsburgh ended Colorado's NHL-record road winning streak with a decisive victory.
The Avalanche had won 15 straight away from Ball Arena dating back to March and came in as one of three teams in the league unbeaten on the young season. Both runs came to a halt on a night the Penguins offered a glimpse of the team they hope they can become more regularly over the next six months.
ISLANDERS 3, SENATORS 2 ❯❯
Bo Horvat and Noah Dobson each had a goal and an assist and host New York defeated Ottawa, which lost defenseman Erik Brannstrom to a scary injury. Brannstrom was taken off the ice on a stretcher after a check along the boards from Cal Clutterbuck at 8:43 of the middle period. The team announced that Brannstrom was alert, had use of his extremities and was taken to a hospital for further evaluation.
Claude Giroux and Jacob Chychrun scored for the Senators.
HURRICANES 3, KRAKEN 2 (OT) ❯❯ Martin Necas scored his second goal of the game with 9.7 seconds left in overtime, and host Carolina beat Seattle to snap a three-game skid. Necas got the puck in the slot and delivered the winning shot after receiving a pass from Tony DeAngelo. Carolina's Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored with 4:24 left in regulation to force the extra session. Oliver Bjorkstrand and Devin Shore scored for the Kraken.
CANADIENS 4, BLUE JACKETS
3 (OT) ❯❯ Cole Caufield scored with 43 seconds left in overtime and host Montreal beat Columbus. Caufield, who also had two assists, beat Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins on the glove side with a wrist shot. Nick Suzuki had a goal and two assists for the Canadiens. Emil Bemstrom scored two power-play goals for Columbus.
LIGHTNING 6, SHARKS 0 ❯❯
Jonas Johansson made 23 saves for his second consecutive shutout, Steven Stamkos had a goal and an assist and host Tampa Bay hammered winless San Jose (06-1). The Lightning also got goals from Brayden Point, Michael Eyssimont, Brandon Hagel, Nicholas Paul and Luke Glendening.
JETS 4, RED WINGS 1 ❯❯ Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor scored in the first period and Connor Hellebuyck made 35 saves to lead visiting Winnipeg. The Jets have won three straight and improved to 6-4-0 in their last 10 visits to Detroit. Lucas Raymond scored at 3:18 of the second period for the Red Wings.
MAPLE LEAFS 4, STARS 1 ❯❯
Morgan Rielly opened the scoring and had the assist on the first power-play goal scored against Dallas this season as visiting Toronto beat the Stars. Mitchell Marner, Tyler Bertuzzi and John Tavares also scored for the Leafs. Mason Marchment scored for Dallas (4-1-1).
FLYERS 6, WILD 2 ❯❯ Bobby Brink scored his first two NHL goals, Sean Couturier, Owen Tippett, Travis Konecny and Travis Sanheim each added one and host Philadelphia beat Minnesota. Dakota Mermis and Marcus Foligno scored for the Wild (3-3-1).
BLUES 3, FLAMES 0 ❯❯ Oskar Sundqvist had a goal and an assist and Joel Hofer made 26 saves in his first career shutout as visiting St. Louis beat Calgary. Kasperi Kapanen and Nick Leddy scored in the first period for the Blues.
RANGERS 3, OILERS 0 ❯❯ Adam Fox and Braden Schneider each had a goal and an assist and Jonathan Quick made 29 saves for visiting New York. Alexis Lafreniere also scored for the Rangers. Quick earned his 59th career shutout.