Sports

See the Fight Video that Led a Hockey Player to Call Himself ‘Classless’

Penguins Arron Asham Apologizes for Punching Jay Beagle

Pittsburgh Penguins' Arron Asham, left, lands a punch to the face of Washington Capitals' Jay Beagle (83). (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (The Blaze/AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins forward Arron Asham wanted to fire up his teammates when he dropped the gloves with Washington’s Jay Beagle in the third period on Thursday.

Asham, however, took it a step too far when he rubbed it in as Beagle lay stunned on the ice, and the veteran brawler called himself on it.

Saying it was “classless,” Asham apologized for mocking Beagle after dropping him with two punches in Washington’s 3-2 overtime win.

Asham decked Beagle with a pair of right hands, sending the 25-year-old face-first onto the ice. Asham then spread his arms out, palms down, like a referee signaling a fighter is “out” as he skated to the penalty box and followed it up by placing his hands on the side of his head to imitate someone sleeping.

Here’s how it went down:

“It’s unfortunate the way the fight ended,” Asham said. “I wanted to win but I didn’t want to go out and hurt anyone. It was uncalled for.”

Washington captain Alex Ovechkin said Asham was “not respectful” for going toe-to-toe with an inexperienced fighter.

“It’s a hockey game, but that was pretty tough,” Ovechkin said. “Beagle … he’s not a fighter, he’s just, it’s not his job to fight. I don’t know, it’s kind of unrespectful for players on a different team.”

Comments (105)

  • pizzaguypa
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:24pm

    I was at the game, asham, says his celebration was wrong. Ok .Beagle dropped his gloves first asham gave him what he wanted a fight, if Asham didnt fight all the caps fans would be calling him out as a wimp, The only reason Ovi opened his stupid mouth at all is asham was harassing him from the other box because ovi had to serve the fighting penalty so beagle could seek medical attention. I used to like and respect ovi as a great player but last night he got owned Tyler Kennedy, and he took a huge dive on a play and talks crap on crosby come on OVi your better then that.

    Report Post »  
    • Squ33
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:34pm

      Its pretty sad that Beagle went down like that. I went to the Penguins Vs. Flames game on Saturday, and non of those Canadians went down like that. There were 3 fights on the ice that night, one of them ended when 4 Flames and 3 Penguins were sent to the penalty box. Man up or shut up!

      Report Post » Squ33  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:34pm

      Ovi usually needs to keep his trap shut. Just shut up and play, dang it!!

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • RUNKIDRUN
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:43pm

      Ovi’s comments were spoken at the exact time Asham was giving his. Ovi said ‘disrespectful’, Asham called himself ‘classless’. Pretty even don’t you think?

      Report Post »  
    • CulperGang
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 4:23pm

      not for nothing…….this is more important obama is using US soldiers=taxpayers money in uganda in their civil spats

      http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/10/obama-sends-100-us-troops-to-uganda-to-combat-lords-resistance-army/ DID CONGRESS APPROVE THIS???????????? oh, wait that POS is a dictator and he does not need approval. BLAZE WAKE UP.

      CulperGang  
    • LeeroyJenkins
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 4:44pm

      That was an awesome fight. LETS GO PENS!

      Report Post »  
    • crazedbanshee
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 5:07pm

      @Culpergang did you even read the article? The law was passed by congress in 2010 to fight the LRA.

      The president in his letter noted that Congress passed “the Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act,” signed into law on May 24, 2010, in which, the president said, “the Congress also expressed support for increased, comprehensive U.S. efforts to help mitigate and eliminate the threat posed by the LRA to civilians and regional stability.”

       
    • True_American_2008
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 5:12pm

      Like it or not, NHL hockey is a tough game. But, the code is that if you decide to run one of the other team’s top players–Beagle had just run at Penguins Defenseman Kris Letang, knocking Letang’s helmet off in the process and, I believe, was about to be penalized for it–you had better be prepared for someone from that team coming after you, which is what Asham did. Asham was coming to the aid of Letang and letting Beagle know he was not going to get away with running Letang.

      But, what is out of line is Ovechkin speaking out the way he did. This is a player who has taken highly questionable runs at other players. Hard hits that often are let go by the referees–though he did get penalized and later suspended for hitting into the boards, I believe, Chicago Defenseman Brian Campbell. What makes his comments out of line is that Ovechkin will deliver a hard hit…and then hide behind the skirts of his teammates.

      Ovechkin ain’t no Gordie Howe. HOFer Howe played a very hard-nosed game and did not shy away from fighting. Unlike Ovechkin, Howe was a real man. Howe is the namesake for the Howe Hat Trick; a goal, an assist, and a fight.

      If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime. Ovechkin needs to become a real man like Howe, first. He needs to fight opponents coming to protect their teammates after Ovechkin has run them instead of hiding behind his own teammates. Only then can he speak out about actions like Asham’s.

      Report Post » True_American_2008  
    • black9897
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 6:19pm

      Who even gives a puck about hokey?

      Report Post » black9897  
    • The_Hut_In_Co
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 6:44pm

      A, It’s Hockey not soccer! WTH A!

      Report Post » The_Hut_In_Co  
    • rangerp
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 7:03pm

      never played hockey, but been there before. When you start to come to, while still fuzzy headed, you remember you were in a fight, then ask “did I win?” It kind of goes down hill for you after that.

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • Seabass82
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 8:07pm

      I guarantee you everyone on the Caps team thinks it was classless. Ovi wears the “C” and its his job to defend one of his team mates. Not only that but I bet everyone on the Pens side thought it was classless also. Everyone from the front office to the ice! I saw the fight last night on hockeyfights.com and the first thought I had was that Aham made an a$$ of himself. But never did I think I would see this on the blaze! My point, before I got on a rant was……get off Ovi!

      Report Post »  
    • Hobbs57
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 10:25pm

      The video doesn‘t show the Asham held Beagle’s shirt so that Beagle didn‘t completely smash his face off the ice when he got KO’d. He didn’t have to do that, Asham is a good man.. Go PENS !!!

      Report Post » Hobbs57  
    • 2linepass
      Posted on October 15, 2011 at 6:41am

      Fighting in hockey is very nearly gone. Get used to the idea, as it is soon to be memory. It has run its course. Just like helmets and goalie masks were once unthinkable. The sport doesnt have a chance at the revenues MLB & NFL have without leaving the sideshow behind. Really, playoff & Olympic hockey are so much better without the thug element. (Iknow there are fights in the playoffs, but much less) Its a done deal. Tune into MMA if you crave it. I’d rather see some skating.

      Report Post » 2linepass  
    • BeerSnob
      Posted on October 15, 2011 at 7:24am

      “Old Time hockey, Coach”

      Yeah, the sissies in the front office are really trying to chase this out of the sport. Don’t waste your money on NHL games – watch those on TV. Go to AHL or ECHL games – they still know how the game is played.

      Report Post » BeerSnob  
    • CoSkiTeacher
      Posted on October 15, 2011 at 11:20am

      Caps won the game, hahahahahaha

      Report Post » CoSkiTeacher  
  • Black Manta
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:23pm

    How stupid is violence??????

    Report Post » Black Manta  
    • crazedbanshee
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 5:14pm

      That is far from violence. There is a big difference between a regulated fight and an unregulated fight.

      Report Post »  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:22pm

    Don’t really watch “hackey” down here, it’s more a northern sport.

    Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • KevINtampa
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:41pm

      Speak for yourself, not for the “south” please. Hockey is the best sport there is. Elegant at times. Brash at times. Gritty and flowing at the same time. God I love hockey. In what other sport do players deliberately place themselves directly in front of a 100mph frozen disc?

      Report Post »  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:50pm

      Amen to that!!!

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • Southern Rebel
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 5:36pm

      Agree with both respondants, Southerners who get to know hockey, LOVE IT!
      Greatest, fastest and most physically demanding game there is. Artistry on ice mixing with competitiveness and channelled agression….what a great combo!

      Report Post » Southern Rebel  
    • CitizenVetUSA
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 8:13pm

      Down here in the southwest we love our Coyotes. Cool inside too!

      Report Post » CitizenVetUSA  
  • KnowYourLimits
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:19pm

    What people don‘t understand about hockey is it’s a self-policing game. The threat or fear of fights prevents mayhem and makes weak players think twice about going after another teams star players. Hockey is one of the best sports in the world and was one of my favorite sports to play. I “get it” that some don’t like the fights, but don’t take down the entire sport because of a few fights. Watch a european game sometime and make note of all the dirty hits that go on…the NHL has it right for the most part…let the sport police itself. Most hockey players are humble and I’m sure the majority of fans and players reject the kind of showboating that Asham displayed. Not good.

    Report Post »  
    • HappyStretchedThin
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:28pm

      The fights that happen are just because hockey’s the most personal of the contact sports. You can literally chase down people who hit you in a way that’s harder even in something as open-ranging as soccer. On the other hand, lets not get too soft: no one makes it to the NHL without being “an experienced fighter”. Kudos to Asham for at least apologizing for letting his adrenaline talk.

      Report Post » HappyStretchedThin  
    • proliance
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:48pm

      No other sport has the number of fights that hockey has. Far from “occasional,” they condoned, expected and rewarded. Every team has an “enforcer” or two who are hired for their ability to fight.

      Everybody knows that if you took the fights out of hockey, you’d cut the attendance in half, just as if you took the wrecks out of NASCAR.

      Report Post » proliance  
    • scaldisnoel
      Posted on October 15, 2011 at 4:09am

      “Everybody knows that if you took the fights out of hockey, you’d cut the attendance in half, just as if you took the wrecks out of NASCAR.”

      Sorry, Proliance, but the numbers don’t support your assertion. As the number and frequency of fights in the NHL has decreased over the past decade or so, the attendance and TV ratings have increased, contrary to a trend in pro sports of flat or decreasing attendance. Comparing it to wrecks in NASCAR is like comparing apples and elephants.

      Report Post »  
  • Al J Zira
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:15pm

    I love when the hockey critics crawl out of the woodwork whenever there‘s a fight and come out with the same ol’ line about a game breaking out at a hockey fight. You guys need a new line, really. That one is only 1487 years old. Maybe 1488, Im not sure.
    If you have any clue how much talent these guys have you would learn to appreciate the game. It‘s the fastest game in the world and some of the guys flying up and down that ice are 240 pounds and 6’4″. Pretty amazing to me. Hockey playoffs are the most exciting playofffs in sports, bar none.

    Report Post » Al J Zira  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:33pm

      Yeah, last year’s play-offs between the Lightning and the Bruins was AWESOME!!! Right up until the very end of the last period of game 7, I was hoping that my beloved Bolts would win out over Tim Thomas and his boys, but alas it was not meant to be. At least the Bruins beat the Canucks. That was worth watching!

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 4:17pm

      Since when does having talent and skill compensate for decency and sportsmanship? Do you think a game that glorifies brawls like that is somehow better because the brawlers are skiiled players? Frankly, I find it more shameful that such skill is wasted in such behavior. I expect brutishness from those who have nothing better to do.

      Tell me what this game teaches the young? It seems to me that it says that there is no expectation for them NOT to fight and if someone fouls you in a game you should settle it with your fists. Doesn’t that make the existence of the referee a bit of a joke?

      A civilized man teaches his son to be ready to defend himself and his own, but never to look for a fight or be quick to get into one. Self-restraint and respect for law and order is not cowardice. I’m many barbarians were decent and kind. But that is no reason to embrace barbarism.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • Memphismerlin
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 5:52pm

      @ Islesfordian Have you ever watched a hockey game? It teaches our kids to play hard, man up, and if you cross a line that there are going to be consequences. Most of the fighters on a team are very respectful and even show some sort of a friendly sign to one another once the fight has ended. There is nothing barbaric about it. But then again, those who don’t understand something tend to speak with ignorance.

      Report Post »  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 10:37pm

      “It teaches our kids to play hard, man up, and if you cross a line that there are going to be consequences. ”

      So the game is expected to reflect the lawless jungle where the strong survive on their own stregths rather than a game controlled by rules that all are expected to follow?

      That is not the kind of sports I think is appropriate for a Christian culture. But it IS the kind Hitler would have liked. He hated how Christianity made the German “weak”. I guess paganism is coming back in vogue even in America. How sad.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
  • richk28
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:12pm

    funny to see how people say its classless and ive been playing since i was 9 and im 24 now. you see people fight in every sport look at these football players and baseball players, evenbetter look at these basketball players who jump in the stand to fight the fans. thats my defintion of classless. we know what we are getting into everytime you step on the ice.

    Report Post »  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 4:23pm

      All sports that tolerate brawling between players are classless. Otherwise I don’t know what definition of “class” could be used to describe a sport. Hockey gets singled out more because it has seemed to embrace the idea and incorporated it into its game.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
  • rcollinsga
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:11pm

    Kinda look the kid asked for the fight…. the way I saw it… the experienced fighter even held him up a little so not to land on the ice as hard. Maybe he shouldn’t have gestured.. but it was for the home crowd… who pays to see fights and hockey. It is their job. I commend the experienced fighter for only hitting him twice and tapping his stick later in a nice gesture to the guy he knocked out. I don’t like hockey… but it is their profession and fighting has always been a part of it. Same with brush back pitches and charging the mound in baseball. Same with layout hits in football. This is not a kids sport that kids are playing. They are being paid high dollars to entertain the paying customers. Love it.. hate it.. your choice. I love the USA.

    Report Post » rcollinsga  
  • Stone Cold Truth
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:08pm

    I thought it was awesome. Hockey isn’t for everyone.

    Report Post » Stone Cold Truth  
    • The_Hut_In_Co
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 6:59pm

      The advertisement that played on the NHL channel last said “Hockey is for everyone” A!

      Report Post » The_Hut_In_Co  
  • goatrope67
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:03pm

    The story makes it sound like Beagle was beaten mercilessly which in all fairness to Asham is not the case. Beagle managed to get in quite a few good shots. He ended up on the ice and Asham’s little celebration was uncalled for but “classless”? I doubt it. It’s hockey. If you don’t like it, don’t play. And for some on here to call hockey a classless sport fails to take into consideration the million dollar babies playing that slow ass sport football. Their bloated egos and hefty price tags make it hard to watch a sport that is already mind-numbingly boring in the first place. I’ll keep my hockey. You keep your football. And if you’re a basketball fan…well…you don’t get to keep that until they figure themselves out which is fine by me. More chances for hockey to show up on TV.

    Report Post »  
  • Islesfordian
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:53pm

    It’s a classless sport. Bull fighting is more dignified and respectable than hockey.

    Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • goatrope67
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:59pm

      Golf fan?

      Report Post »  
    • saranda
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:00pm

      You might need to revisit your definition of classless. Hockey players as a general rule are the nicest, most accomodating and gentle people in pro sports. The game itself is a tough game and those used to watching baseball, basketball, or football are likely not used to the continuous action and/or have little understanding of the game. To me there is no game better to watch.

      Report Post »  
    • richk28
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:09pm

      hows it classless? ive been playing hockey since i was a kid and im 23 now. look at football when they fight on the field thats pretty classless, or even when baseball players go at it.

      Report Post »  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 4:04pm

      As a pure sport there is nothing wrong in it. I spoke of the sport as it has allowed itself to become by what is blatantly tolerated so much that there are even known strategies for fighting in it and players are chosen or fielded for their ability to brawl. If hockey would clean up its act it would become something I would take a child to see. Basketball is descending into the same abyss of brutishness, but it hasn’t reached the depths of hockey.

      There used to be a thing called “sportsmanship” and “sportsmanlike conduct”. It is what made sports a noble masculine endeavor. One could go to a game and see athletes at their best physically and expect the best morally of them on the field. It was a PROFESSION, not a circus. Now we seem to be aiming for the spectacle of gladiator games, the kind emblematic of a civilization in decline, if not collapse.

      As a society we are getting coarser and coarser, less Christian. We care less and less if our athletes behave like civilized human beings as long as they win. It’s infecting all levels of society and sports, but Hockey seems to have been long ahead of the curve.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • cammiegene
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 4:57pm

      Bull fighting is more respectable? Sorry but in hockey both sides of the fight choose to be there,can’t quite say the same for the bull. Little effeminate “men” prancing around,waving at a bull that’s 1/2 dead already. Yeah that’s real sporting.

      Report Post » cammiegene  
    • The_Hut_In_Co
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 7:01pm

      Go watch a tennis match! A!

      Report Post » The_Hut_In_Co  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 10:32pm

      In a bull fight only ONE is acting below the dignity of his nature. The bull is just being what God made him to be.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
  • DrFrost
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:52pm

    I don’t watch sports much anymore. I’ve been to one hockey game (and I liked it). So maybe a hockey fan can explain something to me.

    From the video it looked like Beagle threw 6 punches and 1 slap (all with his gloves already off) before Asham responded. Am I missing something here?

    Report Post »  
    • cous1933
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 9:29pm

      Beagle was the aggressor by going after Ashams teammate Kris Letang just seconds prior to the fight. Asham and Beagle met in the middle and dropped the gloves and Beagle did get a few harmless shots in while Asham was shaking off his elbow pad, then Asham threw two punches knocking Beagle out with the second. Both were penalized for fighting and Beagle recieved an additional penalty for roughing on Letang. Beagle could also have been penalized for fighting with a visor on his helmet.

      Report Post » cous1933  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:51pm

    Assham.

    Report Post » Meyvn  
  • sportlock
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:45pm

    As “smokey” would say, you got knocked the F” out!!!

    Report Post »  
  • SouthP
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:34pm

    If you want a stupid sport, look to basketball. Anyway, I think most of you are missing the point of the article. It’s Asham saying that he is classless because of what he did after the fight, which I agree with.

    Report Post »  
  • MarinesNolikeyObama
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:31pm

    Stupid sport… I’m so glad I never had. to witness a hockey game break out during a boxing match.

    Report Post » MarinesNolikeyObama  
    • saranda
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:01pm

      Could be worse, you could sit through 3 hours of “game” to watch 12 minutes of action in football or baseball.

      Report Post »  
  • SychinLegacy
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:29pm

    It takes two to fight. If the guy didn’t want to fight all he had to do was skate away and Asham would have gotten a five minute instigating or a ten minute misconduct penalty. That’s why Hockey is the best sport. If you’re tired of cheap shots or antics, you can go take it to the player and give them what they deserve. Also Pens suck and go Wings.

    Report Post » SychinLegacy  
  • ltb
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:29pm

    “Washington captain Alex Ovechkin said Asham was ‘not respectful’ for going toe-to-toe with an inexperienced fighter.”

    —–

    Correct me if I’m wrong, but what I saw in this video is Beagle (the inexperienced fighter) pummeling Asham (Mr. Disrespectful) and Asham punching the obnoxious jerk in self defense. Unless I missed something, that’s not being disrespectful, that’s teaching Beagle a lesson he needs to learn (i.e., if you start punching someone, don’t be surprised if that person defends himself and knocks you on your butt).

    Report Post » ltb  
    • glenn j
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:40pm

      thats how i saw it,,,,
      lessoned learned

      Report Post »  
    • CoSkiTeacher
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:51pm

      Pittsburgh fans would see it that way, Assman was basically boarding Beagle and Assman went after Beagle. Oh by the way, the lousy Penns lost to the CAPS hahahahahahahahahahahah.

      Report Post » CoSkiTeacher  
    • ztkraptor
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:04pm

      CoSkiTeacher Thats not what happened at all… You are sad..

      Report Post »  
  • atrain
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:21pm

    Note to self: Do not piss off Asham.

    Report Post »  
  • ssanda
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:21pm

    Beagle was asking for it–he was the aggressor–Asham just put him down. Wicked punch!

    Report Post » ssanda  
  • fidelcashflo44
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:19pm

    What a stupid sport..

    Report Post »  
    • ztkraptor
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:05pm

      What is so stupid about it? If you make a statement, how about backing it up with more of your opinions as to what is so stupid about it?

      Report Post »  
  • TheDebtWeAllPay
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:13pm

    OUcH

    Report Post » TheDebtWeAllPay  
    • old white guy
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:18pm

      most guys, all the guys at the pub i hang out at thought it was great. smack the idiot and carry on.

      Report Post »  
  • logisticsnyc
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:08pm

    If they guy did not want to figh, he can cover up or walk away. You learn how to fight by getting you ass whopped a couple of times…

    Report Post »  
    • JustMel71
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:59pm

      Sometimes fights do breakout in a hockey, it’s a given. But I’m wondering if the new and improved hockey players could withstand a rumble with the Broad Street Bullies of that time. My guess would be no. I hope it doesn’t turn into pink wearing tutu figure skaters. That would be a sad day for us hockey fans. Go Flyers!

      Report Post » JustMel71  
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:07pm

    turn about is fair play, and when some one knocks you silly head into the ice don’t cry get up and say you ask for it, everyone get theirs one way or another, and man yours is coming.

    Report Post »  
  • ONEUNDER
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:07pm

    Arron Asham has always been classless. He take more CHEAP SHOTS almost as bad as Derek Sanderson.

    Report Post » ONEUNDER  
    • ztkraptor
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:06pm

      Nice Engrish bro…
      I think it takes some class to apologize and say he was classless in this case..

      Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:03pm

    Hockey is a Tough Game… and this detracts from the Skill, Strategy, Tactics, and Sportsmanship

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • old white guy
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 2:19pm

      heh heh.

      Report Post »  
    • PaBowHunter
      Posted on October 14, 2011 at 4:41pm

      I’m not huge on the fighting either, but I do understand it. As long as the league allows low skill players to unneccesarlity hit the high skill players risking injury, there will be enforcers. Under the current rules I don’t have a problem with Asham fighting the young man, but there’s no need to mock him. Put him down and respect the heritage of the game.

      Report Post »  

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