CAPITALS’ WILSON BANNED 20 GAMES
WASHINGTON» Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson was banned 20 games by the NHL on Wednesday for a blindside hit to the head of an opponent during a preseason game, the latest and most severe punishment in what the league called an “unprecedented” series of suspensions for the physical player.
Wilson’s fourth ban in less than 13 months will cost him nearly a quarter of the 82game regular season — only five NHL players have been suspended longer for onice play — and $1.26 million in salary. It was announced just hours before the reigning Stanley Cup champion Capitals were to raise a banner and open their title defense by hosting the Boston Bruins.
The right winger, who plays on Washington’s top line with captain Alex Ovechkin, was ejected for the hit on St. Louis Blues center Oskar Sundqvist in the second period of the teams’ exhibition game on Sunday. Wilson had an inperson hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety in New York on Wednesday.
The video released to explain the punishment says: “Wilson delivers a high, forceful hit, which makes Sundqvist’s head the main point of contact on a hit where such head contact was avoidable and causes an injury.” It also admonishes him for taking “a poor angle of approach.”
Blues coach Mike Yeo called the hit “predatory.”
Player remains in ICU after sur
gery. TENN.» The mother NASHVILLE, of the Tennessee State linebacker who collapsed on the sideline during a game says her son has had some body movement she calls “baby steps” as he remains in critical condition.
Staci Abercrombie said at a news conference that the family is asking for prayers as they hope for a full recovery for her son, Christion. She said they’ve been playing different music for her son, including gospel, and seen him respond by raising his hand or rubbing her nails during different songs.
“So those are the positive signs that we’re seeing,” she said.
The linebacker went to the sideline during the first half of the Tigers’ loss to Vanderbilt last Saturday. He told trainers he had a headache, then required oxygen on the sideline before being taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with a head injury for emergency surgery. He is in the hospital’s neurological intensive care unit.
Former Clemson player dies at 22.
S.C.» C.J. Fuller, the former CLEMS O N, Clemson running back part of the Tigers’ 2016 national championship team, has died. He was 22.
The school confirmed Fuller’s death, and Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said his thoughts were with Fuller’s family.
There was no immediate cause of death. Messages left at the Pickens County Coroner’s Office were not returned.
Mavs center Jordan misses trip to
China. » New Dallas Maver
D A LL A S icks center DeAndre Jordan missed the team’s trip to China for two exhibition games for unspecified personal reasons.
Jordan and fellow starter Harrison Barnes stayed behind when the team left for China this week. Barnes injured a hamstring in practice and could miss all the preseason games.
Lawyers: Accuser suffers from post
traumatic stress. » Law
L A S VEG A S yers for a Nevada woman accusing Cristiano Ronaldo of raping her nine years ago said that their client has been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress and depression, conditions they argue would have made her legally incompetent to reach a nondisclosure agreement.
Kathryn Mayorga didn’t appear with her lawyers at a news conference in Las Vegas the same day that Ronaldo denied the rape accusations, using Twitter to say he had a “clear conscience” as he awaits results “of any and all investigations.”