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sports Diamars 2 November 2021

NHL defends disciplinary decisions in Blackhawks scandal

(AP) - Commissioner given any kind of ultimatum, “I know I reported every sin- “The fact that it did not was system failed to support him
Gary Bettman on Monday Bettman said, “Joel ultimate- gle detail to an individual at a serious failure,” Fehr said. in his time of need, and we
defended the NHL’s deci- ly included that the most the NHLPA, who I was put “There is no doubt that the are part of that system.”
sions and discipline meted sensible course of action was in contact with after,” Beach
out following an investi- for him to resign.” said during his interview on
gation into the Chicago TSN in Canada on Wednes-
Blackhawks’ handling of Cheveldayoff is the only per- day, his first since coming
sexual assault allegations son in Blackhawks manage- out as John Doe. “I believe
in 2010. ment at the time who still two different people talked
works for an NHL club. to (NHLPA head) Don Fehr.
Bettman called the organiza- Cheveldayoff was present at And for him to turn his back
tion’s $2 million fine “signifi- a meeting about Beach’s al- on the players when his one
cant” and stood by decisions legations in May 2010, but job is to protect the play-
to let Joel Quenneville coach Bettman said the former as- ers at all costs, I don’t know
one more game and not dis- sistant GM “was such a mi- how that can be your leader.
cipline Winnipeg general nor player in this” and ”had I don’t know how he can be
manager Kevin Cheveldayoff no responsibility for” the or- in charge.”
based on his limited role in ganization’s mishandling of
Chicago’s front office at the the situation. Fehr signed on as an NHL-
time. Quenneville resigned PA adviser in the summer of
as Florida Panthers coach Cheveldayoff was scheduled 2010 after Aldrich resigned
after meeting with Bettman to address reporters Mon- rather than face a Black-
last week. day, though that was pushed hawks investigation. Fehr
back by the Jets because was named NHLPA execu-
In his first public comments owner Mark Chipman suf- tive director in December of
since the report detailing the fered a bout of vertigo over that year.
Blackhawks investigation was the weekend and insisted on
released, Bettman said he did being there for the news con- In a statement last week, Fehr
not want anyone to think he ference. said the person Beach spoke
was prejudging Quenneville, with was a program doctor
who was Chicago’s coach The NHL Players’ Associa- at the NHL/NHLPA player
when allegations surfaced tion has an executive board assistance program, which
that video coach Brad Aldrich meeting scheduled for lat- while confidential he added
sexually assaulted prospect er Monday to discuss how should have resulted in fur-
Kyle Beach 11 years ago. Beach’s allegations were han- ther action because of its se-
dled. verity.
Asked if Quenneville was

Defending champ France loses, Belgium wins at BJK Cup final

(AP) — Canada won the decisive overcame a second set scare to beat
doubles match to secure a 2-1 upset Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 for
victory over defending champion an insurmountable 2-0 lead.
France in Group A of the Billie Jean
King Cup finals on Monday. ADVERTISEMENT

After the two nations split the opening In doubles, Vera Lapko and Aliaksandra
singles matches, Gabriela Dabrowski Sasnovich teamed up to take a consola-
and Rebecca Marino defeated Lara Bu- tion 6-4, 6-3 victory over Kirsten Flip-
rel and Alize Cornet 6-3, 7-6 (6). kens and Mertens.

“We should be really proud of our- On Tuesday, Canada faces Russia and
selves,” Marino said. Belgium takes on Australia.

In the opening singles, the 353th-ranked The competition, formerly known as
Francoise Abanda rallied from a set down the Fed Cup, was renamed last year to
to upset Fiona Ferro, ranked 105th, 4-6, honor Billie Jean King and her lifelong
6-4, 6-4 to put Canada ahead. battle for equality and social justice.

“I was a little bit nervous at the begin- It was originally scheduled to take place
ning,” the Canadian said. “I’m happy it in Budapest, Hungary, in April 2020 but
turned out in my favor.” was postponed for 12 months when the
coronavirus pandemic was declared. In
Cornet tied it at 1-1 after a 6-4, 7-6 (5) February, it was postponed again.
victory over Marino.
Organizers were then forced to find a
It was the second victory for Canada new host — Prague — when Budapest
over France in the competition in five backed out in May, citing lingering CO-
matchups, with the previous one com- VID-19 concerns.
ing in 1980.
The 12 teams in the finals this year are
In Group B, Belgium beat Belarus 2-1 divided into four groups of three teams.
in another opening match played on Only the group winners advance to Fri-
hard courts at the O2 Arena. day’s semifinals.

Greet Minnen defeated Iryna Shyma- Later Monday, the Czech Republic plays
novich 6-2, 6-2 before Elise Mertens Germany while Spain meets Slovakia.