Komets president Michael Franke said he was aware the Central Hockey League had a five-person committee to appeal suspensions to, but he was shocked that Les Reaney's suspension for Game 6 was overturned.
``An email I got back from the league very late this afternoon said the appeals committee had unanimously rescinded the suspension,'' Franke said. ``The explanation that was given on the report was that the appeals committee felt that the hit was not directly related to the head. I've seen it 20-some times, and I wholeheartedly disagree with that. I sent it on to some people within hockey who all unananimously said it was the type of hit that needs eliminated from hockey. In all honesty, I don't really know what's going on behind the CHL curtain right now with all this, but it's very disturbing. As a hockey player I would be very, very concerned. The Wizard has spoken.''
The committee is supposed to be made up of other CHL owners and general managers.
CHL spokesperson Bob Hoffman said in an email, ``Reaney was suspended for tonight for a hit on Milam but the Rush appealed and the five-person appeal committee voted unanimously to overturn and there is no suspension. He can play tonight.''
``The committee has been there, and we have used it before this, too,'' Frankie said.
CHL Director of Hockey Operations Jim Wiley issued the original suspension on Reaney for his Game 5 hit on Komets' defenseman Jamie Milam.
