TORONTO (CP) - The season hasn't even started yet and already the NHL is on its second suspension.
Enforcer Dale Purinton of the New York Rangers was suspended for 10 games Tuesday for gouging the eyes of Boston Bruins rookie Colton Orr in an exhibition game last Saturday.
NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell made the decision after speaking with Purinton on Tuesday.
''He went way beyond the limits,'' Campbell said in an interview. ''He was going for the player's eye. He did damage to the guy's eye. That wasn't a punch, he was trying to grab the player's eye with his thumb - after he speared him first. And he's a repeat offender.''
Orr's eye was swollen shut after the attack although he has since recovered and may be able to suit up for Wednesday's opener against Montreal.
''I think it's one of those things that's just unacceptable,'' Bruins GM Mike O'Connell told The Canadian Press from Boston on Tuesday. ''Gouging, sucker-punching, biting - they are all unacceptable in our game.''
Purinton, 28, already has a rap sheet:
- The defenceman was suspended in the ECHL last season for refusing to stop fighting and pulling the hair of a player. The Victoria Salmon Kings released him as a result.
- He was suspended four games by the NHL in September 2001 for beating up goalie Garth Snow in a pre-season game.
- He got seven games for a cross-check to the head of Washington's Stephen Peat in October 2001.
- He was suspended three games for a sucker-punch to Islanders forward Jason Blake in February 2002.
The 10-game suspension does not necessarily indicate a tougher era in handing out discipline, Campbell said, adding that every incident will be treated on a case-by-case basis.
''Someone may do something that's careless but if he's a first-time offender, that doesn't mean he should get what Purinton got,'' Campbell said. ''You have to look at the player's background. Enough is enough, it's always the same guys doing this.''
In 181 career NHL regular season games, Purinton has four goals, 16 assists and 578 penalty minutes.
Pittsburgh tough guy Andre Roy was the first suspension of the season last Friday. He will miss the first two games of the season for making several throat-slashing gestures towards Washington forward Robin Gomez after the second of their two fights during a pre-season game on Sept. 25.
