Roy cleared of mischief charge

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Patrick Roy was cleared Wednesday in a domestic violence case that stemmed from a heated argument with his wife about in-laws.

The judge dismissed the case, ruling it fell short of the standard needed for misdemeanour criminal mischief during an act of domestic violence.

The goaltender, who is to start for the North Americans in Sunday's NHL all-star game, attended the hearing with wife Michele, who had called the case "ridiculous."

The couple declined to comment after the ruling.

Roy, a native of Quebec City, faced up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine and possible deportation if he had been convicted.

Mike Knight, a spokesman for the district attorney, said prosecutors were deciding whether to appeal.

The 35-year-old goalie was arrested after pulling two doors off their hinges at the couple's home in October.

According to a police report, Michele Roy was not hurt, but feared what her husband would do as they argued about in-laws.

Roy's arrest came a week after he broke Terry Sawchuk's NHL career victory record.

State law requires police to make an arrest in domestic violence cases if they believe a crime has been committed.

The defence argued no crime was committed because the damaged property belonged to Roy.

The prosecutor contended the charge could apply because the property also belonged to Roy's wife.