The Blackhawks reached out to the NHL and the Jets "to apologize for an incident" between Jets D Adam Pardy and two fans during the third period of Wednesday night's game at United Center, according to Chris Kuc of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Blackhawks LW Brandon Bollig "drilled Pardy into the boards and during a melee between players after the glass was dislodged, one fan ... yanked Pardy's helmet off and put it on his own head." A female fan "then poured beer over Pardy's head." The team in a statement Thursday said, "We have spoken to those involved. The individuals were immediately ejected from the arena" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/8). ESPN CHICAGO's Scott Powers noted video and pictures of the fan wearing Pardy's helmet "made their way around the Internet on Thursday." It also was shown "a number of times on the United Center's video board on Wednesday" (ESPNCHICAGO.com, 11/7).
KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF: CBSSN’s Jim Rome said, “I know the United Center is one of the loudest barns in hockey but I think the Blackhawk fans are taking that whole ‘Madhouse on Madison’ thing a little bit too far. ... That dude could not look any drunker if there were a couple of beers attached to that helmet.” Rome added, “Souvenir rules do not apply to players coming into the stands. That’s not like a foul ball, or a wild puck that goes over the boards. You don’t get to keep dude’s helmet because he landed in your lap. The only thing worse than that nut job taking that guy’s helmet, is this lady giving him a beer shower” (“Rome,” CBSSN, 11/7). ESPN's Tony Kornheiser said the fans "are fortunate" that Pardy "didn’t go into the stands." Kornheiser: "You can pay for a ticket and you can hide behind the glass and you can boo and you can scream and you can say terrible things. Players will accept that. But you can't touch them" ("PTI," ESPN, 11/7). Denver Post columnist Woody Paige asked, "Can you imagine this happening in an NFL game?" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 11/7).
