clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

So Someone Bit John Tavares. Yes, as in Bite.

John Tavares was bitten in a Swiss league game by Clarence Kparghai, according to a report.

"The next person who bites this young man will have to answer to my shoulder pad."
"The next person who bites this young man will have to answer to my shoulder pad."
Mike Stobe

You don't see this every day: Swiss sports publication Blick is reporting that John Tavares was bitten last Saturday during a Swiss league game for SC Bern.

That report is in German, or you can follow along a loose Google Translate English version.

The facts are this: During a scrum in their rivalry game, SC Bern's Tavares had EHC Biele's Clarence Kparghai in a headlock.

And after that? According to Bern head Sven Leuenberger, that's when Kparghai bit Tavares in the ribs. Kparghai denies it, saying the headlock had his face in Tavares belly, but that's it. "I'm not a cheater."

Biel coach Kevin Schlaepfer also says poppycock. An outraged Leuenberger delivered my favorite incredulous quote poo-pooing biting: "Hockey is a sport for men." (Or, in the original, and for your bumper sticker: "Hockey ist eine Sportart für Männer.")

Bern has reported the allegation to the league. Tavares' teammates reportedly saw the visual evidence on his ribs. (The photo in the Blick story shows a marked-up Tavares, but on his neck, due to other hockey shrapnel.) The league is investigating the incident.

(h/t Hskates21 and Kaonashi with more)