Brian O`Neill, the National Hockey League executive vice president, said Tuesday after a hearing in Chicago with Blackhawk Ed Belfour that he would probably announce Wednesday if Belfour would be suspended.
”I still have a few things to do, but it`ll probably be (Wednesday),”
O`Neill said. ”I prefer not to give you a sense (of the hearing), but it`s a serious matter or I wouldn`t be here.”
Belfour is threatened with a suspension and/or fine for going to the officials` room at the Stadium after last week`s loss to Montreal and angrily confronting referee Dan Marouelli concerning one of his calls during the game.
Belfour could play Thursday against Los Angeles even if O`Neill suspends him. The Hawks can choose to start a suspension a week after it is assessed, and they are certain to want Belfour to play Saturday and Sunday against St. Louis.
O`Neill noted it doesn`t enter into his decision the Hawks are in a race for most points overall, which would give them home advantage throughout the playoffs.
”I treat the situation the same as I would for a team that might not make the playoffs,” he said.
Belfour and Hawks coach/General Manager Mike Keenan said they thought the hearing went well for them, but neither would speculate on the outcome.
Three`s a crowd: Backup goalie Greg Millen, who has a hamstring injury, practiced Tuesday with the team. He, Belfour and Dominik Hasek made the team trip Tuesday to Los Angeles.
Tough loss: Los Angeles tough guy Marty McSorley will play Thursday against the Hawks despite receiving a three-game suspension this week. The Kings have accepted the option of waiting a week.
McSorley drew the suspension for punching Winnipeg`s Doug Evans in the face in what O`Neill interpreted as ”a vicious manner when Evans (who landed on his back after the two crashed into the boards) was unable to defend himself.”
Memory game: Keenan isn`t promising he will long remember his 300th career victory Sunday in his 550th game. That`s the fourth quickest any NHL coach has won that many games.
”I don`t remember my 100th win or my 200th win, but I`ll try to remember the 300th,” he said with a smile.