KIJHL hands down suspensions following multi-fight incident during Nelson/Beaver Valley contest
By Lone Sheep Publishing
The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League has come down hard on the Nelson Junior B Hockey club following an on-ice brawl to start the second period of the annual New Year’s Eve clash of Neil Murdoch Division rivals Beaver Valley and Leafs at the NDCC Arena.
In a media release Tuesday, the KIJHL announced disciplinary actions to a total of 10 players and one team staff member following a multi-fight incident that occurred with 19:59 remaining in the second period.
“These actions have resulted in a total of 35 games in suspensions to Nelson players and (eight) 8 games to Beaver Valley players,” the KIJHL media release said.
“All suspensions . . . were determined following a review by the BCHC Department of Player Safety.”
A breakdown of the KIJHL suspensions include.
- Nelson Leafs player Marko Pavlovic has been suspended for (three) 3 games for participating in a staged fight. He will be eligible to return on January 13, 2023.
- Nelson Leafs players Tyler Seminoff, Leighton Partington, Hunter Sperle and Ryland Mennie have been suspended for a total of (eight) 8 games each; (three) 3 games for participating in a staged fight and (five) 5 games for instigating multiple fights on the same stoppage. These individuals will be eligible to return on January 24, 2023.
- Beaver Valley Nitehawks players Gavin Tritt, Boris Hristov, Spencer Dixon-Reusz and Kaleb Percival are suspended (two) 2 games each for participating in multiple fights on the same stoppage. These individuals will be eligible to return on January 13, 2023.
The KIJHL also said that Nelson Leafs head coach Adam DiBella has been suspended indefinitely pending completion of an investigation by the league into his actions during the game in question.
Nelson won the game 3-1.
The game generated more than 300 minutes in penalty minutes.
The two teams meet again January 24th in Fruitvale.
