International Hockey League Vice President of Hockey Operations Brad Jones said Tim Haun received a seven-game suspenion because he received a match penalty and there was clear intent to injure Port Huron's Derek Patrosso.
``The fact that player does not get hurt doesn't diminish the act of what transpired,'' Jones said. ``In this situation there was clear intent with the stick knowing full well he had the potential to hurt somebody.''
Jones said he talked with Haun after the event as well. He said Haun's defense was also hurt because the goaltender made a slashing motion at the IceHawks during the previous whistle to the play.
``The fact that he made a slashing motion at the timeout prior to the incident certainly carried some weight,'' Jones said. ``It just tied it in. and it was evident that he was frustrated and he did exactly what he said he was going to do. He had a conversation with the referee and he was upset that guys were chirping at him. In the game of hockey everybody chirps. He lost his composure and he intended to do what he did.''
Jones said some people in the league suggested the suspension be for 15, 20 or 25 games. As for why Brad MacMillan and Greg Labenski received five-game suspenions for elbow penalties that injured players, and Haun received seven games, Jones said he did not believe MacMillan or Labenski instended to injure their opponents, but Haun did. He also said those penalties were from majors and this was from a match penalty which has to carry more punishment.
``This was on the act and intent,'' Jones said. ``There was no question in the referee's mind, and in my mind that a match penalty was warranted. It was that clear. I had to decide. Sometimes you have to look at it and say the intent is very clear and the suspension has to be handed out. The fact that the player wasn't injured shouldn't take away what the act was.''
