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NHL enforces the Avery Rule
Even league not immune from the Great Instigator
By Jon Lane / Special to SNY.tv

Sean Avery has again stirred up trouble. The latest antics of the game's most-hated agitator everywhere outside of New York City inspired the NHL to make an immediate amendment to the rule defining unsportsmanlike conduct. Below is a statement released by the league on Monday:

National Hockey League Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell today issued the following advisory on the interpretation of Rule 75 - Unsportsmanlike Conduct: "An unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty (Rule 75) will be interpreted and applied, effective immediately, to a situation when an offensive player positions himself facing the opposition goaltender and engages in actions such as waving his arms or stick in front of the goaltender's face, for the purpose of improperly interfering with and/or distracting the goaltender as opposed to positioning himself to try to make a play."

The impetuous was Avery's face-guarding, poking and prodding of Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur during a 5-on-3 power play in New Jersey's eventual 4-3 overtime win in Game 3. Avery waved his blade side to side to block Brodeur's vision and Brodeur responded with a whack, another friendly exchange between two individuals who dislike each other, but will inevitably have to shake hands when this series comes to an end.

You can read the full story here. Among the highlights:

"I've played for 15 years in this league. I've been watching games for 33 years. I had never seen that in my life," Brodeur said. "I don't think that kind of behavior should be done in front of the net, but there is no rule for it."

"Here we are trying to sell the game, and stuff like that is going on," Devils forward John Madden said. "I just find it childish and I don't agree with any of it. There's not much you can do without taking a penalty or doing something stupid. You've got to ignore him and play on and not let him be a factor in the game."