AVERY DENIES MAKING FUN OF PLAYER BATTLING CANCER: Hockey tough guy and stick enthusiast Sean Avery is taking off the gloves in his most vicious fight yet - he’s suing a Toronto radio reporter for libel:

The NEW YORK POST skates over the news that the Rangers winger denies making pre-game comments about a Maple Leafs player suffering from cancer.

Howard Berger of The FAN 590 reported that during warmups, Avery made remarks about Jason Blake’s battle with leukemia. Leafs teammate Darcy Tucker didn’t appreciate the words, and went after Avery. The two were separated but later fought it out in the 1st period.

WAY OFFSIDE slides over video of both the in-game and pre-game fisticuffs between Avery and Tucker:

The TORONTO STAR reports that Avery is meeting with the NHL front office about Saturday night’s skirmish, and could face possible fines. And it’s not the first time his mouth has managed to get the roughneck in trouble.Avery previously denied accusations that he called Georges Laraque, who is black, a “monkey” during a 2005 game.

Despite the threat of legal action, Berger says he stands by his reporting.

All of this, just because Elisha Cuthbert dumped poor ol’ Sean. Well, he can always comfort himself in his lovely cashmere throw.

NO HILTON SHACK-UP FOR AVERY AFTER CUTHBERT SPLIT: OK! MAGAZINE reports that Elisha Cuthbert has finally dumped video music award attendee and fake-tough New York Ranger winger Sean Avery, but the selfish loudmouth doesn’t seem to be to broken up about it.

Excerpt: “Don’t feel bad for Sean, who didn’t appear to be brokenhearted about the breakup when he was spotted hitting on Elisha’s good friend Paris Hilton at the LG House in Malibu on Aug. 26.

“A partygoer tells OK!, ‘When you asked Sean where Elisha was he shrugged his shoulders and said they had broken up.’ But for all his attempts at wooing the recent jailbird, Sean was not able to convince Paris to leave with him, saying she wouldn’t do that to Elisha and walked away.“Avery can’t close Paris? Sounds like his finishing skills around the net at the Nassau Coliseum.

Then again, maybe this has something to do with him being unable to beat Paris five-hole.