Simmonds gets attention again

PHILADELPHIA – Rangers forward Sean Avery says Wayne Simmonds of Philadelphia uttered a homophobic slur at him on the ice.

Avery told ESPN.com Simmonds made the remark during the first period of Philadelphia’s 5-3 preseason win over New York on Monday night. ESPN.com reported a video replay showed Simmonds issuing the epithet.

Last week, Simmonds, who is black, was involved in a controversy when someone threw a banana on the ice from the stands as he was taking a shootout attempt during a game in London, Ontario.

Simmonds, who says Avery sucker-punched him Monday, didn’t deny after the game making the comment.