League commissioner Jim Chandler confirmed on Sunday afternoon that the Arsenault’s Fish Mart Western Red Wings from Abram-Village played a suspended player during a 3-2 win over the Kensington Moase Plumbing and Heating Vipers on Feb. 3.
Tyson Phillips of the Red Wings picked up his third instigator/aggressor penalty in the Red Wings’ game in Montague on Feb. 1. Players who accumulate three instigator/aggressor penalties are handed an automatic two-game suspension.
The league website lists Phillips as also picking up instigator/aggressor penalties on Oct. 21 and Jan. 5. However, it is noted on the website by the Jan. 5 warning that it was Phillips’ first offence, with the Oct. 21 warning below it. That also says it was his first offence.
Chandler noted it is up to the teams to ensure players sit out suspensions picked up for accumulating penalties, but he acknowledged he can understand how there could be confusion in this case. Thus, instead of awarding the game to the Vipers for the Red Wings using an ineligible player, he ruled the game to be replayed at Community Gardens in Kensington. A date is to be announced later.
The two points at stake in this contest could very well determine whether the Red Wings or Sherwood A&S Scrap Metal Falcons finish second and have home-ice advantage in the best-of-seven semifinal series against each other.
Chandler noted the Falcons have appealed his decision to have the game replayed to Hockey P.E.I., feeling the game should have been awarded to the Vipers. If the Red Wings lose the two points or do not win the replayed game, it would guarantee the Falcons second place and home-ice advantage.
Chandler expects Hockey P.E.I. to rule on the appeal early this week.
The Falcons are 14-10-2 (won-lost-overtime/shootout losses), one point ahead of the Red Wings (14-10-1). The Falcons have completed the regular season, but the Red Wings have one home game remaining against Montague (11-14-0) on Tuesday night.
The Vipers (16-7-1) clinched first place with a 10-2 rout over the Falcons on Friday night, and will play the winner of the quarter-final series between the Holland College Hurricanes and Montague Maniacs in the other best-of-seven semifinal.
jpsports@journalpioneer.com
