The NHL has decided not to suspend Pittsburgh Penguins winger Arron Asham for his conduct following his fight with Washington Capitals center Jay Beagle on Thursday night, reports Stephen Whyno of the Washington Times. Rule 75.2 (i) in the NHL rulebook penalizes "any identifiable player who uses obscene, profane or abusive language or gestures directed at any person," NHL spokesman John Dellapina told Whyno, but Asham's conduct "did not violate the rules as currently written."
Asham and Beagle dropped gloves in the third period Thursday night after referees whistled Beagle for a penalty. Beagle landed a few blows, but Asham downed his opponent with two brutal right hooks to the face, and then pantomimed a boxing referee breaking up an unfair fight. SB Nation Pittsburgh colleague Charlie Wilmoth posted video of the Asham/Beagle fight earlier.
Pittsburgh won the battle, but lost the war, as it were; the Capitals prevailed in overtime, 3-2, thanks to Dennis Wideman's power-play goal. The Penguins' record now stands at 3-0-2, and they'll next take the ice--with Asham available--this Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres.
For more Penguins coverage, please visit Pensburgh.