James Wisniewski Expresses Regrets Over Lewd Gesture

Five days after the gesture that rocked and shocked the National Hockey League, James Wisniewski offered no excuses, only regrets.

"Absolutely," Wisniewski said 90 minutes before his return to the lineup on Saturday when his Islanders hosted the Colorado Avalanche. "Stuff like that can't be done in a game. Kids being able to see that is not a good role model-situation for myself."

In the first period of the Islanders' 6-4 win over the rival New York Rangers, Wisniewski tangled with Sean Avery. Harsh words were allegedly spoken, officials intervened. When they did, Wisniewski made a gesture that local broadcast rightsholder MSG Network caught on live television, but no network dared replay without blurring for the rest of the day and night.

Wisniewski was suspended two games by the NHL. He accepted the punishment, but hoped it would have been a substantial personal fine instead of his loss from the Islanders' lineup. "I didn't want it to hurt our team," he said.

More: Wisniewski Gets Two-Game Ban | Botta: NHL Went Too Far

Back in the lineup after watching his team in a loss in Washington and overtime loss in Pittsburgh, Wisniewski did not want to leave it unclear just who was wrong on Monday.

"You can't do stuff like that," said Wisniewski, who had a goal and two assists in his first two games of the season. "You have to keep your emotions cool. You have to keep your emotions in check. People are watching. You have to be professional. You have to be responsible for your actions."

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