March 26th

NHL PLAYING TO 97% CAPACITY THIS MONTH

Fueled by unprecedented League-wide competition for playoff spots and positions, the NHL is on pace to obliterate its March attendance records. A per-game average of 17,900 fans -- 97% of capacity -- has filled NHL arenas this month. The existing March record average of 17,331 was set last season.

The late-season surge has ensured another season of record NHL attendance. The 2007-08 per-game average of 17,194 is running 1.7% ahead of the 2006-07 campaign, which concluded with a record figure of 16,961. The NHL will surpass 20 million in total attendance for the seventh consecutive season and will, for the first time in its 90-season history, conclude the regular season with a per-game average in excess of 17,000.


ROY, 7 OTHERS SUSPENDED FOR JUNIOR BRAWL

The son of former NHL goalie Patrick Roy was suspended for seven games on Tuesday for his actions during a weekend brawl in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League game.

Quebec Remparts goaltender Jonathan Roy was also fined $500 for his behaviour Saturday against the Chicoutimi Saguenéens.

Roy skated to the opposite end of the ice during the second period brawl and pounded opposing goalie Bobby Nadeau, who was unwilling to fight and covered up during the assault.

Roy then gave the middle finger with both hands to fans at the Georges-Vézina Centre.

Patrick Roy, the team's coach, was suspended five games for his conduct.

"The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League finds the events which took place over the course of last weekend’s games deplorable and unacceptable," said league commissioner Gilles Courteau. "We are deeply troubled by the incidents. In closing, I’d like to warn organizations that these types of incidents will not be tolerated and that should any more occur, steep fines will be handed out.

Remparts defenceman Maxime Lacroix was suspended for three games after hitting an opposing player while he was still down. Quebec's Marc-Oliver Vallerand was suspended for two games for his role in the melee.

Chicoutimi loses a trio of players to suspension, as well as their coach.

Antoine Roussel received one game for instigating a fight, Charles-Antoine Messier was suspended two games, and most seriously, Sébastien Rioux will miss his team’s next six games for leaving the penalty box to join the fray.

Coach Richard Martel received a two-game suspension, and both clubs were fined $4,000 by the league.

For his part, Jonathan Roy apologized for his actions toward the fans.

"I acted in a way that is not acceptable for an athlete," he told reporters. "I gave the finger to the crowd and then, after the game, I made unacceptable comments in front of the cameras. I acted out of adrenalin and frustration."

Chicoutimi beat Quebec in the game, 10-1