New York Islanders winger Chris Simon left the team, saying he needed time away from hockey after he deliberately stepped on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Jarkko Ruutu. Simon, who already has six suspensions under his belt, made headlines last season when he was slapped with a 25-game penalty for using his stick to hit the New York Rangers’ Ryan Hollweg in the face.

Vikes’ win does more than eliminate Bears

Despite three interceptions from quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and a missed extra point, Minnesota rookie sensation Adrian Peterson rushed for 78 yards and scored two touchdowns to not only give the Minnesota Vikings their fifth straight victory, but also keep them alive in the postseason hunt as they knocked off the Chicago Bears 20-13. The defending NFC champions were eliminated from the playoff race with the loss. The Vikings’ win also knocked Philadelphia, Detroit and Arizona from playoff contention.