The International Hockey League suspended Komets forward Brad MacMillan for one game today for his match penalty in Sunday's game against Bloomington. Vice President of Hockey Operations Brad Jones ruled MacMillan inadvertently hit Bloomington's Matthew Spiller with Spiller's helmet during a fight.
``That's what I felt was warranted,'' Jones said. ``I didn't think any intent was there, but contact was made with the helmet. Brad is an honest, straight-up fighter, and this was just an unfortunate incident.''
MacMillan will sit out Saturday's game at Muskegon. Because he is on suspension, the Komets cannot replace him on the 20-man active roster.
Jones said he reviewed the videotape of a similar 2004 incident involving Flint's Chad Grills before making his decision. Grills received a two-game suspension for hitting a Kansas City player with a helmet during a fight.
MacMillan and Jones spoke this morning.
``He just said that I know the type of fighter you are, this is not somethign that you go out and do. He understands that things happen during a fight. Under the rulesw of match penlty. He's just doing what he has to do. I can live with this.
The Komets also signed forward Mitch Woods today and he'll arrive in Fort Wayne around Jan. 11 and likely won't join the lineup until late January at the earliest. He's working in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
Comments
Early present from Santa, nice to see Woods able to join the team to finish the season.
Nice to see Brad Jones does have a heart!
It appears that Brad Jones isn't quite the ogre people thought he was. It seems like a very fair punishment for an action that was not intentional. He had to give a suspension, and this was about as light as he could dole out. I like it that he spoke with everyone before he decided......on another note, as I posted on the other blog regarding the Mitch Woods signing; somebody had better hold back Wendy. Her wish has come true and Christmas has come early for her......speaking of Christmas. Merry Christmas to all. Please have a wonderful, safe, and happy Holiday.
Does signing a player make him "active" on the roster? If so wouldn't they have to release someone to sign him?
No. The league has not approved this signing and won't until the Komets put him on the active roster.
Jones got this one right. Well done.
On a selfish note.. That means JANUARY 9th will be the first time that Mac plays against Muskegon since GOON Night 09... Which means I really have no reason to drive to Muskegon the day after Christmas.
Blake what is your thoughts on the signing of Woods. I just hope the expectations are not to high for him. I wouldn't get all excited about this until you see the "whites" of his eyes there is a lot that can happen between now and the time he is ready to go.
good suspension....totally agree with it.....i just hopes woods will have the same energy he had
The Komets playing is a good reason to go to Muskegon the day after Christmas....just because Mac wont be playing doesnt mean you can support the team. Mac is not the only player on the team.
I didn't say I wouldn't support the team, I just won't do it in person. Right now, Macmillan is giving the majority of the effort on this team.
Wait a minute, I want to write this down. You guys actually AGREE with something the league did?
More on Mitch coming soon.
I agree JM...the only person playing with any heart is Brad McMillian...and maybe a few others with half a heart
Good call by Brad Jones....i truly thought he would be sitting 5 or so games....Merry Christmas Brad Jones...
Muskegon signs Jordan Little 6-4 220 D-Man...
As it's been already wrote, Woods will improve the toughness of the team but he really is a middleweight (a good one albeit), not a heavyweight. Which is what they really need. He's not going to solve their goal scoring issues. Hope he gets into playing shape quick.
Schrock plays w/heart.
Would Morrency be considered a middleweight? I always enjoyed watching him come flying off the bench with someone targeted. More size for Muskegon... Sheesh...
Schrock does play w/ heart, but it is not as apparent w/ Mac on the ice. I think that is what they meant.
if you have a few middleweights running around hitting everything in sight and going to the net when needed then you dont really need a big heavywwight cause the other team will always be looking over their shoulders and the heavyweights will start taking foolish penalties trying to slow the middleweights down!