In tonight’s game between the Florida Panthers and the Atlanta Thrashers, Florida defeceman Keith Ballard frusturated at his teams goalie Tomas Vokoun for allowing a goal, swung his stick as hard as he could at Vokoun’s head killing the 33 year old netminder. In what was described as an aboslutey heinous act of violence, Ballard showed little remorse over the incident when he quickly spoke to reporters as he was being escorted to a police vehicle. “That fucking bastard should have had that one. Ok, so it was Kovalchuck who was coming down on him on a breakway, big deal. He stopped the first shot but then he was too blind to find the rebound and cost us a very important goal. We had all the momentum going and then he lets us down like that. That fucking son of a bitch got what was coming to him.” Vokoun was rushed to an Atlanta hospital but could not overcome the damage that was done to his brain as a result of the massive blow to the head. Unfortunately, what occurred tonight happened on live television and footage of the vicious attack has spread viraly. WARNING: VIEWER DISCRETION IS STRONGLY ADVISED:
After learning of their fallen teammates death, the Panthers could not recover and went on to lose 4-3 on a last second goal by Thrashers forward Maxim Afinogenov. Vokoun’s family has been contacted in the Czech Republic and are already on their way to Sunrise, Florida. It was truly a disturbing scene as Ballard’s motive and intention were very clear. “He was clearly upset at the performance of Vokoun and in a split second of judgement decided to take matters into his own hands,” said Panthers head coach Pete Deboer who was visibly upset over the incident. “I know Tommy probably should have had that one, but to have a little mistake like that ultimately cost you your life is really sad. It’s unforgiving. I don’t think there is a spot in this locker room for Keith Ballard anymore.” Ballard will appear in court tomorrow morning with the expected charge being murder in the first degree, but the defenceman will likely plead not guilty and claim manslaughter in the form of an ’inexcusable lack of stopping a puck.’
