Suspensions and fines are a possibility after incidents both on and off the ice at a senior hockey game in Miramichi, N.B., Friday night.
Fights broke out on the ice, on the way to the dressing room and in the stands between fans of the Miramichi Northmen and the Elsipogtog Hawks in Game 6 of the Beausejour Senior Hockey League (BSHL) Final.
Several videos of the brawls at the Miramichi Civic Centre have been posted on social media.
League president Roger Brun said they’ve received Hockey New Brunswick’s official report for the incidents that occurred during the game.
“This matter is under review by our Disciplinary Chairman and the league’s executives,” said Brun in a statement to CTV News. “The BSHL has a meeting with all teams on April 12 where this will be discussed and final decisions on possible suspensions and fines will be announced later that week.”
Brun said the league will have no further comments on the matter until final decisions are made.
Miramichi Northmen co-owner Doug White said they knew there was going to be a big crowd Friday night and they took precautions.
The team hired 14 security guards and two Miramichi Police Force officers to handle security inside the arena.
White said there was an on-ice altercation late in the game and that extended to the hallway between members of both teams.
“Unfortunately, in our rink, both teams go down the same hallway, so there was a little altercation there,” said White. “But we did have two security down there, plus we had two police officers down there.”
White said he’s seen the videos of the fights in the crowd that have been circulating online.
“I’m not sure who was involved. We’re trying to find out exactly what happened so we can take steps to make sure the people that started the fight,” said White. “We’ll take action against them for next year when we start.”
White said senior hockey can be rough, but there isn’t really a history of bad blood between the two teams.
“We’ve never had anything like this happen before,” he said.
During the game, White said things were thrown on the ice as well.
“We don’t condone the fighting in the stands. Of course we don’t condone things being thrown on the ice,” said White.
More than 200 minutes in penalties were called during the game.
“There’s been no fights. It was a hard series,” said White. “This game would have been the roughest game for sure.”
Miramichi Police Force Deputy Chief Randy Hansen said no arrests have been made, but the matter is still being investigated.
Miramichi won the game 8-2 to win the league championship in six games.
White expects there to be suspensions that will carry over to next season.
“The worst thing about it is it was a great hockey series and everybody’s focused on a fight that took place at the end of the game and the fights in the crowd,” said White. “It kind of took away (from the game) a bit. This is the first time we ever won the league.”
CTV News Atlantic reached out to the Elsipogtog Hawks for comment, but did not hear back by news deadline.
Prince Edward Island incident
Suspensions are also pending after an incident at a youth game in North Rustico, P.E.I., Saturday.
In a statement, Hockey PEI said it is aware and “extremely disappointed” about an on-ice incident during an Under-18 Provincial Championship game.
“What took place on the ice was a disgraceful representation of our game and completely contrary to the values of good sportsmanship, respect, and safety that Hockey PEI upholds at every level of play,” read the statement.
Members of Hockey PEI’s Suspension and Player Safety team are conducting a review of Saturday’s game between the North River Flames and the Kensington Jr. Vipers.
The scoresheet shows several major penalties and gross misconducts called throughout the game, especially with 4:26 left to play.
North River won the game 4-0.
“The reports from game officials, video footage, member history, and statements from those involved will also be examined by our Discipline and Ethics Committee,” read the statement. “Indefinite suspensions are pending and additional discipline will be determined using both Hockey PEI and Hockey Canada suspension guidelines following this review.”
PEI Hockey said it will not be providing any further comment on the incident until the review process has been completed.
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