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Senators' Ruutu Suspended for Biting Sabres Player

NHL suspends Senators forward Jarkko Ruutu for two games for biting Sabres' Andrew Peters

Peters was still taken aback by what happened.

Buffalo Sabres' Jason Peters (76) grimaces after he was bit through the glove by Ottawa Senators' Jarkko Ruutu, not shown, of Finland, during the first period of the NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dean Duprey)
(AP)

"It's not really the thumb that's the issue, it's the incident that took place," Peters said before the suspension was announced. "It's weird to even think that that goes on in hockey. Even in my role, I would never think of doing something like that."

Peters shrugged his shoulders when informed of Ruutu's denial.

"I don't think if I did something that stupid I'd really be admitting to it either," he said.

The injury was minor, and nothing like one of sports' most infamous bites when boxer Mike Tyson took a chunk of Evander Holyfield's ear during a bout in 1997.

Biting is rare in hockey, but it does happen.

Current Bruins star Marc Savard was suspended for one game in 2003 when, playing for Atlanta, he bit Darcy Tucker on the glove in a game against Toronto.

Last January, New Jersey's Travis Zajac required stitches on his finger after being bitten by Philadelphia defenseman Derian Hatcher.

Hatcher was not disciplined by the league.

Sabres coach Ruff said biting goes back to when he played in the NHL in the 1980s.

"I witnessed a few. I saw one teammate get bit right on the back," he said.

Ruff said he nor the team was going to overreact to what happened.

"I find it a little humorous to tell you the truth," Ruff said. "It makes it something good to talk about. Games need a little spice and we get a little spice."

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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