Pittsburgh Penguins forward James Neal was handed a five-game suspension on Monday for kneeing Boston Bruins left winger Brad Marchand on Saturday night at TD Garden.Frank Zombo . At 11:06 of the first period, Neal struck Marchand with his knee when Marchand was down on the ice. Marchand remained in the game. Neal was assessed a kneeing penalty for his hit on Marchand. "I mean, what do you want me to say? That I was trying to hit him?" Neal said following the game. "No, Im going by him. I dont get out of the way, like I said. I need to be more careful and I guess get my knee out of the way, but Im not trying to hit him in the head or injure him or anything like that." Neal will forfeit $128,205.15. Jovan Belcher . "[People] keep asking that question and its not a legit question because we dont have that right, we havent arrived yet," Casey responded. "Weve got to take each game at a time, each possession at a time and look at it that way. Sean Smith . -- Kris Blanks birdied his final five holes Thursday to move past Canadian rookie Matt McQuillan and finish with an 8-under-par 63 and grab the first-round lead at the John Deere Classic.CALGARY -- Calgary Flames rookie sensation Sean Monahan will miss at least the next two games with a hairline fracture in his foot and defenceman Dennis Wideman will be out longer with a fractured hand. The Flames said the 19-year-old Monahans status is week to week. The team also announced Thursday that Wideman fractured his left hand in the previous nights 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Both players have been placed on the teams injured reserve list. Wideman will undergo surgery to have a pin placed in the hand and will be out six to eight weeks, according to general manager Jay Feaster. Calgary (8-12-4) is on the road in Anaheim on Friday and in Los Angeles on Sunday. With nine goals and six assists, Monahan is second in NHL rookie scoring behind Thomas Hertl of the San Jose Sharks. Monahan is also second in Flames scoring. He took a shot off the foot in practice Nov. 21, but played in Calgarys next two games. Monahan scored his ninth goal of the season against the Blackhawks, but his foot continued to be painful. A scan Thursday confirmed the fracture. "He will be re-evaluated at the beginning of next week and well have a better idea exactly what the time frame will be," Feaster told reporters Thuursday. Len Dawson. "Its certainly not good news when these things happen. To lose a guy like Wideman thats a tough blow for the team. Obviously with Monny, the way Monnys been playing, its a tough guy to take out of your lineup." The injury bug has bitten the Flames hard this season. Captain and top defenceman Mark Giordano hasnt played since he broke his ankle during a game Oct. 21. He has started skating again and Feaster is hopeful the captain will be ready to play next week. Forward Curtis Glencross is out two to three weeks with a knee injury and forward T.J. Galiardi is day to day with back spasms. "Weve lost some significant players for a significant period of time," Feaster said. "Its important they dont become an excuse. Theyre not a crutch, no pun intended, to lean on. "You try and find a way to soldier on. We have to find ways to win games with the guys we do have." The Flames have called up forward Max Reinhart and Paul Byron from their American Hockey League affiliate in Abbotsford, B.C. Flames head coach Bob Hartley said that Reto Berra will start in net against the Ducks on Friday and Karri Ramo will play Sunday against the Kings. ' ' '
