Penguins’ bus involved in accident prior to practice

Associated Press

NEW YORK

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ rough weekend in New York got a little bumpier when the team bus hit a car while heading to an outdoor practice.

In the morning hours Saturday following a fight-filled, 9-3 loss to the New York Islanders on Friday night, the Penguins dressed in their full gear — minus skates — at Madison Square Garden, where they will play the Rangers today.

They hopped a bus for the short trip to Central Park, but were derailed by the minor accident. The players left the bus and hailed cabs to take them to the makeshift practice.

“It was quite a sight,” Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said. “I think the gentleman involved with the accident backed off a little bit when he saw a whole hockey team get out with sticks and gloves in their hands. If he had known anything about last night, maybe that’s why he backed off.”

The NHL was expected to announce any suspensions to the Penguins and Islanders Saturday, but nothing had been announced by 11 p.m. The game produced 346 penalty minutes, 10 ejections, 15 fighting majors and 20 misconducts.

The Islanders came into the game angry because of the previous meeting between the teams nine days earlier that featured a fight between New York goalie Rick DiPietro and Pittsburgh counterpart Brent Johnson. DiPietro broke bones in his face when Johnson hit him with one punch.

Also, a questionable but unpenalized hit by Pittsburgh’s Max Talbot against Blake Comeau, that has left the Islanders forward out of action since, made Talbot a target in the rematch. He was jumped and punched by Matt Martin in the second period, sparking the first of two major brawls in Friday’s game.

Talbot also took on Micheal Haley in the third period in the second part of fight night.

The teams will conclude the six-game season series on Long Island on April 8.

“We don’t like them and they don’t like us,” Pittsburgh forward Pascal Dupuis said.