Flyers D Hatcher denies biting Zajac

Jan 5, 2008 - 5:22 AM NEWARK, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Derian Hatcher did his best impersonation of Roger Clemens on Friday night.

Following his team's 3-0 loss to New Jersey, Hatcher pleaded innocent when accused of biting Devils center Travis Zajac's finger during a scrum in the second period.

Zajac, who scored his sixth goal of the season in the victory, received stitches after suffering a gash on the middle finger of his left hand following the confrontation.

"There's a first time for everything," an amazed Zajac said. "I don't know. I just got hit."

The 35-year-old Hatcher, who is in his 15th NHL season and third with Philadelphia, denied biting Zajac but was not disappointed the 22-year-old was injured during the incident.

"If he's cut, good, but I didn't bite him," Hatcher said. "I didn't think anything of it until someone mentioned it."

New Jersey coach Brent Sutter saw a replay of the scuffle after the game and shot down Hatcher's denial.

"The angle that we have shows Trav pulling his hand away, and the glove is still in Hatcher's mouth," Sutter said. "It's like a dog on a bone."

Sutter is hoping Hatcher will pay the price for his actions once the NHL reviews the game tapes.

"I think the league obviously has to look at something like that," Sutter said. "You've got a player that obviously bit another player in a scrum. But that will be up to the league to determine if anything comes of it. It's not something you like to see in a game, let alone (from) a veteran player like that."

Should Hatcher be punished, he will become the sixth member of the Flyers to be suspended this season. Fellow defenseman Randy Jones, Steve Downie, Jesse Boulerice, Scott Hartnell and Riley Cote all have received bans ranging from two to 25 games.