By R. Inkrat, Associate Press Hockey Writer
PORTLAND, MAINE, JULY 14, 2011 - This reporter has learned from court sources that the Morning Hockey Blue Dogs have filed an emergency suit in the United States District Court here, seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the awarding of the Cardinal Richelieu Cup to the MHC Gold Weasels tomorrow.
According to court documents filed electronically tonight, the Blue hounds allege that the entire playoff series was invalid due to the Yellow team's violation of the league salary cap when it stacked its roster for the playoffs through the machinations of player coach Matt "Dipsey Doodle Dandy" Noone. League rules set a strict limit of $1.98 per team in total salaries. The suit papers allege that the salaries of the three stars of the Gold rodents, Noone, Pete Eremita, and Tom Golebiewski, totaled "far in excess of $1.98, though the full amount can be determined only after discovery is complete." Golebiewski, who won the Art Dross Trophy as the overall leading scorer after the playoffs, is rumored to have received more than $1.00 in total salary, endorsements, and bonus from the Yellows just by himself.
The suit was filed by Blue squad member and attorney Bryan Dench, purportedly with the assistance of renowned sports law expert Peter Carlisle,who was frequently paired with Dench on the blue line for the Blue canines.
The pleadings ask for an emergency "ex parte" temporary restraining order to prevent the award of the cup at tomorrow's ceremony scheduled to begin at the Portland waterside docks at 4:00 EDT. Court sources were unable to say when the court might act on the TRO request and so it could be right up to the time for the ceremony before anyone can know for sure if the ceremony will be allowed to proceed.
Evidence of the salary cap violation only came to light after the playoffs, when Yellow was compelled to trade Golebiewski to the Blue squad in exchange for canny veteran JJ Mokarzel. The suit names the entire Gold Weasel squad as defendants, many of whom are experienced at evading service of legal process, so it may be difficult for the Blues to get everyone before the court or to serve any order the court issues. To be effective, a TRO must actually be served on the person or persons it restrains.
No Gold Weasel, not even the usually talkative Brian Linscott, could be reached for comment.
Developing . . . . . . . .
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