OFF THE WALL

Dead player’s team retakes ice in memorial game

The English hockey team that Adam Johnson played for retired his No. 47 jersey on Saturday as part of a memorial game honoring the American who died after an opposing player’s skate cut his neck during a game, writes Ken Maguire of The Associated Press..

The Nottingham Panthers made the announcement moments before the start of their game against the Manchester Storm as players from both teams stood in a circle at center ice at Motorpoint Arena.

“He will forever be our No. 47,” announcer Stef Litchfield said. “He was not only an outstanding hockey player but also a great teammate. He was an incredible person with his whole life ahead of him. We will miss him dearly.”

The Panthers haven’t played since that Oct. 28 game last month in Sheffield.

The death of the 29-year-old former Pittsburgh Penguins player has not only forced the sport to reexamine safety regulations but also sparked a criminal investigation locally that led to an arrest of a man on suspicion of manslaughter.

The game, which was broadcast free on Youtube, does not count in the Elite Ice Hockey League standings. Instead, it’s meant to bring players and fans together as they try to move forward.

“We’re not just hockey fans — we’re a hockey family,” Panthers fan Margaret Cartwright said ahead of the game while she visited a makeshift shrine where fans have left flowers, wreaths, jerseys, team scarves and handwritten notes to honor Johnson.

Panthers players received a standing ovation when they came out for warmups and some waved and chatted with fans between shots.

A postmortem examination confirmed Johnson died as a result of a neck injury. South Yorkshire Police did not identify the suspect or provide his age. He was arrested Tuesday and released on bail a day later.

Trivia question

On this date in 2004, the “Malace at the Palace” ensued when Indiana Pacers Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson charged into the stands to fight with fans in the final minute of their game against the Detroit Pistons in Auburn Hills, Mich. What Pistons player did Artest foul to start the melee?

He said it Indiana assistant coach said it was like being: “trapped in a gladiatortype scene where the fans were

Chuck Person the lions and we were just trying to escape with our lives. That’s how it felt. That there was no exit. That you had to fight your way out.”

Trivia answer

Artest fouled Ben Wallace from behind. Wallace shoved Artest and then fighting began between players from both teams. After referees separated the players, they then huddled to address consequences. Artest was lying on the scorer’s table when a fan threw a drink from the stands that hit him. Artest jumped up and charged into the stands, grabbing a fan, but not the one who threw the drink. Several Pacers teammates followed, including Jackson. A large brawl ensued and a large police presence was summoned that later escorted the Pacers out of the building. The game was not finished, with Indiana declared a 97-82 victor.