This ruling from the league will be very interesting.
The Komets and Lumberjacks had a huge melee at the end of the first period Saturday night. First, there was a fight between the Komets' Lincoln Kaleigh Schrock and the Lumberjacks' John DiPace after an incident started when Muskegon's Tom Galvin slashed Brad MacMillan and MacMillan responded with a shove to the face. Both of them received roughing penalties, and MacMillan celebrated on his way to the penalty box as usual.
That must have ticked off the Lumberjacks because of the next faceoff, Muskegon's Robin Big Snake jumped Komets center Colin Chaulk and Jason Lawmaster jumped Konstantin Shafranov. Big Snake was eventually taken to the penalty box, but not after he tried several times to break away from the linesmen. Then MacMillan came out of the penalty box to jump Lawmaster after he, MacMillan, shoved a linesman out of the way. Then as MacMillan was skating to the penalty box, Big Snake came out of the penalty box but did not fight MacMillan.
According to Rule 70.4, leaving the penalty bench is subject to a 10-game suspension.
Komets may try to argue that Lawmaster was the actual instigator, but I don't see that working.
MacMillan should also be suject to a 10-game suspension for abuse of official under rule 41.3. Big Snake could be subject to the same suspensions.
Ironically, this was the night when IHL Vice President of Hockey Operations Brad Jones delivered the 2009-2010 league rule books. He said they are both suspended indefinitely pending a league ruling which will likely come Monday.
I think they should both sit for 20 games. The league absolutely has to protect its officials.
