This Week in Sports :: December 17-21, 2007

Chris Simon

The NHL suspends Chris Simon with a record penalty and Curt Schilling calls out Roger Clemens. See what else happened!

Simon Suspended

One of hockey's biggest bad boys will be MIA for a long time as the league suspended New York Islanders forward Chris Simon for an NHL record 30 games. In a game last Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Simon stomped on an opposing player with his skate blade. This suspension marks the second major suspension for the 35-year-old Simon, who was suspended last March for 25 games for a stick attack on an opponent. In his 15-year NHL career, Simon has been previously suspended seven times. During his time off, the league has ordered Simon to receive counseling. Simon won't be eligible to play until late February.

Schilling Calls Out Clemens

Never scared to say what's on his mind, Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling called out Roger Clemens this week. Clemens, who was recently named on the Mitchell Reports for using performance enhancing drugs, has not yet spoken out on the recent allegations. Schilling said in his blog that Clemens should return the four Cy Young Awards he's won since 1997 if he fails to clear his name. Schilling also had harsh criticism for other players mentioned in the report like Barry Bonds and Jose Canseco.

Blazers on Fire

The hottest team in the NBA right now is undoubtedly the Portland Trailblazers, who have won nine straight games as of Thursday. Prior to that win streak, they had lost nine of their previous 10 games. As of Friday, their current streak gives them a record of 14-12, which gives them second place in the Northwest Division, just one game behind Denver. The Blazers are doing all of this without their top draft pick Greg Oden, who is out for the season with a knee injury.

Notes Around the Sports World

Legendary coach Bill Parcells signs a four-year deal to coach the Miami Dolphins on Thursday. The two-time Super Bowl winner last coached the Dallas Cowboys.

The Boston Celtics finally lost a game at home, as they fell to the Detroit Pistons 87-58 on Wednesday night. The Celtics had won their first 12 games of the season at home.

Dontrelle Willis signed a three-year, $29 million contract extension with the Detroit Tigers. The deal comes two weeks after he was traded to the Tigers from the Florida Marlins.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon clinched the final out to win the 2007 World Series[/KWLINK]. His reward? Papelbon was given the game ball, which he no longer owns because it was later eaten by his dog.

This Week in Sports - December 3-7, 2007

This Week in Sports - November 26-30, 2007