KINGS NOTEBOOK: AVERY GIVEN ADDITIONAL FINE.

Byline: Rich Hammond Staff Writer

NASHVILLE - The NHL punched back at Sean Avery on Tuesday, fining the Kings forward an additional $1,000 for comments he made in the wake of being fined $1,000 for diving.

Avery on Monday derided the NHL's competition committee - made of four players, four general managers and one team owner - for a rule that allows fines to be determined after a review of game tape by league officials, which is how Avery got the diving fine after a Nov. 6 game.

``They let one guy sitting in New York decide what's a dive and what isn't,'' Avery said.

Avery also said there was ``no question'' the league targeted him for being outspoken and referred to the league and the players' association, who agreed to the video-review rule, as ``a (expletive joke).''

Retribution came quickly and was severe. The league issued a tersely worded news release and fined Avery the maximum $1,000 for a ``public statement that is critical of the League Officiating Staff.''

In the release, Colin Campbell, the NHL's director of hockey operations, said:

``Mr. Avery's comments showed a complete lack of respect for all those associated with our game, most importantly his fellow players. With 16,120 games of playing, coaching and management experience over the course of 186 seasons, and 18 Stanley Cups won, the nine members of the Competition Committee, including players Jarome Iginla, Brendan Shanahan, Rob Blake and Trevor Linden, worked hard to make rule changes for the betterment of the game.

``Mr. Avery has besmirched the reputation of all NHL players, coaches, general managers and owners who, collectively, have been successful in providing a more entertaining game for our fans.''

Coach Andy Murray said he ``talked to'' Avery about his outburst. Avery accepted the punishment with sarcasm but without digging himself a deeper hole.

``Those guys are the smartest,'' Avery said. ``I've got to know who the bosses are. They call the shots, they're the kings. ... I've got to do what I'm told and keep my mouth shut. They know best.

``Hopefully they give the two grand to a needy family for Christmas.''

--Heavy duty: Kings goaltender Mathieu Garon made his third consecutive start Tuesday, just the second time in his five-year NHL career that he had started that many in a row.

His only longer streak of consecutive starts came in 2001, after Theodore suffered a concussion and Garon started four consecutive games and lost all of them.

As for the goalie situation, backup Adam Hauser is expected to return to Manchester today, as Jason LaBarbera, who left the trip early to tend to a family matter, will rejoin the team.