Annoying Avery gets a rule in his honor

Last update: April 15, 2008 - 2:00 AM

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NEW YORK – New York Rangers forward Sean Avery found yet another way to annoy Martin Brodeur, the New Jersey Devils goalie, and forced the NHL to change a rule in his honor on Monday.

During a 5-on-3 power play in New Jersey’s 4-3 overtime playoff victory Sunday night, Avery planted himself in the crease with his back to the action and faceguarded Brodeur. Holding his stick upward, Avery waved it side to side and up and down to block Brodeur’s vision. Brodeur gave him a whack, but that was hardly a deterrent.

"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."

That was true Sunday, but not Monday. The NHL ruled:

"An unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty 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."

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