HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A Colorado State University club hockey player faces a disorderly conduct charge after he allegedly checked a referee during a national tournament in Connecticut.
A.J. Hau, 24, apparently was upset after a loss to William Paterson in the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II national tournament in Simsbury on March 19, police said.
The referee, whose name has not been released, claimed Hau lowered his shoulder and slammed him into the boards shortly after William Paterson won the game in overtime, 5-4.
“I guess he got a running start, put his shoulder down and slammed him into the boards,” said Simsbury police Capt. Matt Catania. “The kids out there on the blogs and message boards say he 'gave him the bump.' In our state, that's called disorderly conduct.”
Hau told the Rocky Mountain Collegian newspaper that he “barely bumped” the referee, who had ejected him earlier in the game.
“I made a mistake and I realize that, but it's getting blown out of proportion,” Hau told the student newspaper.
Colorado State coach Kelly Newton said the team is standing behind Hau.
“It was a pretty intense moment after overtime, and everyone was pushing and shoving still,” Newton said. “He went over to tell the ref how he felt about the end of the game, and some contact was made, incidental contact as far as we and the player are concerned.”
Chris Wilk, the ACHA's executive director, said the association is looking into the incident and would announce any sanctions against the player or program once the investigation is complete.
Hau is due in Superior Court on April 1 on the misdemeanor charge. A conviction can carry a sentence of up to three months in jail and a fine of up to $500.
Comments
Well he admitted there was contact, as much as I hate refs I would never physically touch one, that's crossing the line
What is Mac's status for this weekend? I believe he can come off IR on the 27th
Doesn't anyone videotape their games? Seems like that would clear things up, but what do I know? :) And Burgee, I thought you loved Hawthorne? LOL...
I remember a couple years back, the ACHA tournament had a goaltender from USC strip naked and ride his stick like a horse because he was mad at the ref. That same year, the ACHA division 3 tournament was at McMillen and I kept score for a few games. Once I filled one and a half sheets with penalties. The club players can be a bit unruly.
Blueline Baby-- Burgee has a thing for Hawthorne. Don't let him feed you any crap. Jimmy asked about him when he is here. I think they share Foo Foo's and little tiny pills. I just cannot figure if it is before the game or after.
You'll never know! Tell Jimmie hello next time he is in town, tell him I made dart board covers out of our picture we had taken.
LOL....you guys crack me up. I helped scorekeep at the kids' game last night, and learned how to run the clock as well. Both are challenging jobs, especially for being unpaid! I like scorekeeping, though. The refs at the kids' games are certainly not perfect, and we had one of your goal judges as our linesmen last night....I don't know his name, but he has been around for a long time. He is a good guy. You'd know him Dennis....thin guy, white buzz cut hair, I think he's a goal judge at the Komet games. I could be wrong on what he does. I know I see him there and at Canlan all the time, though, and he is excellent with the kids.
Blueline Baby, Because they announce his name at games it's probably OK to give his real name on the blog. The fellow you're describing is Dan Schiebel and you're right he is a really good guy. In addition to being a ref and a goal judge, Dan is the head coach of the New Haven hockey team that won the 1A state championship this year, and was the main organizer of the high school league's fundraiser for the Vera Bradley cancer fund.
My son has had him as a coach a couple of times, he does an outstanding job.
Thanks, intothe blue! I do remember someone saying his name once before, but would never have come up with it. I liked the other, younger kid who was his partner out there the other night as well....he was hilarious. Most of the refs out there are good guys.