BUFFALO, N.Y. — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says the league condemns the behaviour of four male fans chanting a racial taunt against a black player, and backs the Chicago Blackhawks for ejecting the offenders. The fans were shouting “basketball, basketball, basketball,” during the Blackhawks’ 7-1 win. An off-ice official sitting next to Smith-Pelly notified building security, and the fans were ejected. After the game, Coach Barry Trotz said the player was “a little upset.”“There’s absolutely no place in the game of hockey or our country for racism,” Trotz said. “I think it’s disgusting.”The 25-year-old Smith-Pelly is in his first season with the Capitals.

Source: National Post February 18, 2018 05:48 UTC