By John Vogl
NEW YORK -- Patrick Kaleta apparently had nothing to say. The New York Rangers said plenty.
Kaleta was ejected in the third period of the Sabres' 3-2 shootout loss in New York on Sunday night for boarding Brad Richards. The Sabres right winger, who is expected to have a disciplinary hearing with the NHL, was not in the dressing room following the game. A team spokesman said he would not comment.
"That's just stupidity," Richards said of the hit. "If we're all going to look at each other's numbers, ram each other from behind headfirst into the boards, it's going to be a tough game to play. It's not hockey.
"He doesn't play hockey to begin with. It's the same guy all the time."
Kaleta had a four-game suspension last season for head-butting.
"It's probably one of the most dangerous hits I've ever seen," said Rangers coach John Tortorella, whose team need 51 seconds to score twice on the power play. "I'm glad we made them pay. It's disgusting. It's a lack of respect."
Said Rangers defenseman Marc Staal: "I played against him in juniors and played against him a lot. He does a lot of those hits and cheap shots, and a lot of times he doesn't back it up, either. He either gets kicked out and you don't see him for a month, or he sits on the bench the rest of the game. It was a dangerous play."
Said Sabres interim coach Ron Rolston: "We have to be smarter in that situation, but Pat, he’s a heart-and-soul guy for us. He’s a competitor. He lays it on the line every game. He’s a guy that I’m sure is disappointed about it, and we’ll move on."
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New York Rangers | Patrick Kaleta
