Islanders promote party to watch brawl-filled game

The NHL is "looking into" the New York Islanders' promotion of a Friday party for fans to watch the re-airing of a Feb. 11 brawl-filled game against the Pittsburgh Penguins that resulted in multiple suspensions and the Islanders being fined $100,000.

"We do not approve of the use, based on what we know," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said.

There were 346 penalty minutes and 15 fights in the 9-3 Islanders win, and after the NHL handed out 23 games in suspensions, Penguins owner Mario Lemieux criticized the league for not sending an even stronger message. He also said he needed to "rethink" whether he wanted to be part of the league.

On the Islanders' website, with a headline of "#Isles vs. Pens rewind," the team had this message: "The night of February 11, 2011 was memorable for Isles fans. Whether you were in the stands at the Coliseum or watching on TV, you were on your feet through all the ruckus cheering for the Islanders to beat the Penguins. On August 19th, MSG Plus will re-air the game and we want the fans to join us for a viewing party at Champions. Same awesome deal as usual, raffles, prizes and more. RSVP now and remember to there early and get a table with your friends. Stay tuned to #Isles and #IslesMeetup for all the latest and for more information."

The Penguins have issued no official statement, but general Ray Shero was asked about the Islanders' party plan during a press gathering about Sidney Crosby.

According a transcript provided by the team, Shero said: "The Islanders have a good, young hockey team and that's what I think we should be talking about. They should have a good year there for themselves. What they're doing off the ice - if they want to revisit (that game), that's fine. But that's not a game we're going to revisit. We're going to put that behind us. We're not proud of it. It's time to move on."

In that game, Islanders forward Trevor Gillies was suspended nine games for elbowing then punching a dazed Eric Tangradi and later taunting him as he got up. Tangradi (concussion) didn't return last season.

New York's Matt Martin was suspended four games for grabbing Max Talbot from behind and punching him. Pittsburgh's Eric Godard received a 10-game suspension for leaving the bench to protect goalie Brent Johnson as an Islanders player skated toward him.

The Penguins were upset because the fights seemed premeditated, a reaction to a Feb. 2 game in Pittsburgh in which Talbot's hit gave Blake Comeau a concussion and Johnson injured Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro (broken orbital bone) during a fight.