NHL notes: Tampa Bay accuses Chicago’s Andrew Shaw of biting

The Chicago Blackhawks pleaded ignorance Thursday about the possibility that right wing Andrew Shaw bit Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.

“I have no idea,” Blackhawks center Antoine Vermette said one day after Chicago won the series opener 2-1 over the Lightning. “I read about that. There was a little question about that. I didn’t see it. I don’t know about it.”

Shaw and Hedman got tangled up late in the first period behind the Tampa Bay net after Hedman pushed Blackhawks star Patrick Kane into the boards just after play had been stopped on an officials’ whistle. After the scrum was broken up, Hedman was seen on the Lightning bench lifting his jersey to show a spot on his side to a team trainer.

Hedman said after the game that it felt like he was bitten, but couldn’t say for sure that it did happen.

The NHL looked at video of the scrum but hasn’t released any additional information about possible discipline.

Lightning tickets restricted to Florida

The Lightning aren’t apologizing for wanting to fill seats for home games during the Stanley Cup Final with their own fans, rather than thousands hoping to root for the Blackhawks.

The team instituted a policy at the start of the playoffs last month of not selling tickets on the Internet to out-of-state residents, and the club has been hearing from fans of visiting NHL teams who feel slighted ever since.

“Detroit fans were upset in the first round. Montreal fans complained the next round, and New York fans joined in the next round. Now, Chicago fans are taking their turn,” Lightning executive vice president of communications Bill Wickett said. “Our fans love it.”

Fans who attempt to purchase tickets for Lightning playoff games on Ticketmaster.com are greeted by a message that reads in part: “Sales to this event will be restricted to residents of Florida. Residency will be based on credit card billing address.”

Committee supports coaches’ challenges

The joint NHL/NHL Players’ Association competition committee said that it recommended coaches’ challenges for goals involving goalie interference and offside plays.

If approved by the NHLPA executive committee and board of governors, goalie interference challenges would be handled by referees at ice level and offside plays by the situation room in Toronto.

Capitals center Fehr has elbow surgery

Washington Capitals center Eric Fehr had elbow surgery and could be ready for the start of the next season.