Unfortunately, this past Monday an absolutely wild brawl broke out. The video shows players wrestling before multiple players use their sticks as swords. It is a very dangerous scene and both teams are lucky to have avoided serious injury.
The actions by these players were unacceptable and incredibly avoidable. The ASHL has suspended both teams indefinitely and is planning on adding supplementary discipline for each player involved that could include removing them from the league.
The referee at the game, Bruce Tennant, a veteran referee with more than 45 years of experience. Even with his experience, he certainly expect this type of brawl. Tennant says that the players using their sticks in the video were known as a "problem" on both teams by the ASHL.
The ASHL issued a statement that in part said:
They continued
The ASHL says they are announcing new prevention measures for both teams to avoid brawls like this happening in the future. The ASHL will be expelling or suspending individuals that crossed the line in the brawl. As well, they will be requiring each player on either team to follow "several conditions" before they can rejoin the league play.
It is hopefully safe to say that players will know the consequences of dirty play in the league. The league will continue to play minus the two teams involved in the maylay.
POLL | ||
17 SEPTEMBRE | 418 ANSWERS Wild stick-swinging hockey brawl Should each player that swung their stick be automatically expelled from the league? | ||
Yes | 259 | 62 % |
No | 159 | 38 % |
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